The extravagant wives of wholesalers -- Pawning an old Halberd sheath -- When ise lobsters were as scarce as crimson leaves in springtime -- The mouse messenger -- The one-monme society -- It's expensive to lie when you're lying low -- Sensible advice on domestic economy -- Life and doorposts: Both are borrowed -- The opening performance by the new players -- How lovely the sight of rice-cake flowers at New Year's -- Golden dreams -- Even gods make mistakes sometimes -- The night of insults -- The kitchen floor parties of Nara -- Swapping houses -- The pillar rice-cakes of Nagasaki -- A night auction at the year-end -- Blinds from inkbrush handles -- Lord Heitarō -- The perennially prosperous shops of Edo.
