# Maeda Narihiro — Short Fiction character guide

> Maeda Narihiro in Short Fiction by Akutagawa Ryūnosuke.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Narihiro, VI Thereafter Narihiro

**First appearance:** 0013-i

## Snapshot

A Kaga lord so proud of his million-koku wealth that he gives away a pure gold pipe, and finds the giving sweeter than the keeping.

## Who they are

Narihiro carries a pure gold pipe as a walking emblem of his fortune, and when retainers wheedle it from him he returns home pleased rather than bereft, announcing the gift to his household. His generosity throws his three senior samurai into a council over the cost of replacing pipes for every festival visit. Their quarrel over silver versus brass turns his private vanity into a clan-wide problem of taxes and honor.

## Relationships

### [Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kochiyama_soshun)

_rivalry_

A tense, adversarial dynamic where Kōchiyama and Maeda constantly clash over power and influence.

### [Ryōtetsu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/ryotetsu)

_rivalry_

Maeda and Ryōtetsu are antagonists, constantly undermining each other's plans and status.

### [Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kochiyama_soshun)

_rivalry_

A tense, adversarial dynamic where Kōchiyama and Maeda constantly clash over power and influence.

### [Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/kochiyama_soshun)

_rivalry_

A tense, adversarial dynamic where Kōchiyama and Maeda constantly clash over power and influence.

### [Ryōtetsu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/ryotetsu)

_rivalry_

Maeda and Ryōtetsu are antagonists, constantly undermining each other's plans and status.

## In the story

### [The Pipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/the-pipe)

The daimyo who is proud of his gold pipe and gives it away to Kōchiyama, feeling satisfaction in the loss.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/i)

Lord of Kanazawa Castle, proud owner of a pure gold pipe symbolizing his wealth and status.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/ii)

Owner of the pure gold pipe that is the subject of the attendants' gossip.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iii)

Narihiro is smoking his gold pipe when Kōchiyama requests it. He gives it up due to social pressure and the ease of obtaining another.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/iv)

Feels satisfaction after giving away his gold pipe, as his pride was in the symbolic value rather than the object itself.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/v)

His generous act of giving away a gold pipe sparks concern among his retainers.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/vi)

Narihiro now carries a silver pipe, but finds it less satisfying than the gold one. He gives away silver pipes freely, and ultimately orders a return to gold pipes to avoid the attendants' requests.

### [VII Kōchiyama Sōshun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/vii)

Narihiro is the lord whose pipe becomes the object of desire and deception among his attendants.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/viii)

Narihiro's pride is challenged when his gold pipe is ignored, leading to a loss of confidence.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters/maeda_narihiro
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_59_se/characters