, English titles including Growing Up and Child's Play, is a novella by Japanese writer Ichiyō Higuchi, first published in 1895–96. It depicts a group of youths growing up in Shitaya Ryūsenji-chō, Yoshiwara, Meiji era Tokyo's red light district, over a span of four months. Characters Midori – a 14-year-old girl whose family lives in the Daikokuya brothel. Her older sister, Ōmaki, works as a popular courtesan. Midori was born in Kishū and does not have direct ties to either of the gangs because her family is not under the protection of the Senzoku Shrine, nor does her family belong to the Ryūgeji temple parish. She is a bright and delightful child who loves to play with her friends. Once she becomes older, she is to follow in her older sister's footsteps and become a courtesan at the Daikokuya brothel. Nobu (Shinnyo) – a 15-year-old boy who is the son of the Ryūgeji temple's Buddhist priest. Nobu is a rather gloomy and introverted boy who is extremely devoted to his studies. He is Ryūgeji's heir but he is at odds with his family because he disagrees with his father's worldly ways (not becoming a Buddhist priest) and greedy profiteering. Chōkichi – leader of the "back-street gang." He is the son of a construction crew foreman. He is a callous, hot-headed, and ill-mannered boy who is oftentimes looking to pick fights with Shōta. He causes many conflicts in the story. Shōta – leader of the "main-street gang" and son of the local pawnbroker. Shōta is a well-educated, but oftentimes, naive and arrogant boy who was orphaned and raised by his grandmother. He appears to have grown up faster than all the other children as he takes on many adult responsibilities like collecting interest payments on the loans of clients. He is also Midori's best friend. Sangorō – a supporting character in the story. Sangorō is the son of a rickshaw man whose family lives in a house owned by Chōkichi's father. Since Chōkichi's family owns Sangorō's home, Sangorō gets dragged into a lot of Chōkichi's messes. Plot The story takes place in the Meiji Restoration Period in Tokyo, depicting the lives of a group of youths who live in Daionjimae, a fictional neighbourhood outside of the Yoshiwara red-light district. The story follows the characters Midori, Nobu, Chōkichi, and Shōta as they transition out of their adolescence and into adulthood. The events