is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mitsuru Adachi. The series ran in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday from January 1990 to April 1992. The story is set in a place very similar in appearance to Earth in the Edo period. However, Adachi regularly reminds the reader all throughout the series that the setting is another planet in the distant future which just happens to look like Earth. After the death of his mother, Shichimi sets out to join his half-brothers and -sister who live together in Karakuri Tenement, a place provided by the father they have never met. He finds out that each of them had different mothers (all of whom have died), but were fathered by the same man. Not long after Shichimi's arrival, the siblings decide to journey to visit the graves of each of their mothers. On this journey, they encounter many dangers. The names are puns on Japanese spices, each one being an ingredient in shichimi tōgarashi, also known since the Edo period as nana-iro tōgarashi, a seasoning made of seven ingredients including chili powder. Characters Seven siblings The fourth oldest of the sibling at 15 years old. In his hometown, he was a fireman. He is an expert at using a fireman's pike, and he uses a telescoping one – created by Chinpi – as a weapon. He is the only one of the siblings who openly dislikes their mysterious father. Unexpectedly strong, he is the second strongest fighter (or may be the first), behind Asajirō, in their family. Shichimi cannot swim, and fears open water, ships and islands. Goma is the oldest of the siblings at 22 years old. He is a rakugo comedian; his stage name is Hirateigoma. He gets along very well with the third brother Keshi, sharing many habits including feasting, drinking, shogi and go. Goma means sesame in Japanese. Asajirō is the second oldest, 20 years old, and a wandering artist. He frequently takes long trips for inspiration, occasionally briefly stopping by the tenement between trips. He holds the record for being the youngest to achieve the rank of master in the Haniwa-style sword technique. He has the ability of foresight and usually subconsciously depicted his visions in drawings; at the end of the manga, he subconsciously drew Shichimi and Natane in their future wedding. The first character of Asajiro's name means hemp. The third oldest, 18 years