This story is so good I don't know where to start. I know other works of Okadaya sensei, so I knew it will be a decent manga, but didn't expect something this good. It's her best work. The art is awesome, reminds me of ukiyoe paintings and since it's a period drama it's like a little bonus to the story that helps to create a certain mood, a mood of feudal Japan. I appreciate the realistic style, perfect proportions, chiaroscuro and mild sexiness of characters. Everything about their looks is polished, their clothes, hairstyles, swords... you won't see the same face twice nor the same pattern on kimono. I hate when all the characters in manga look the same so I was more than happy reading Sen. Even details are perfect and historically accurate. Sensei's style isn't fairy or fluffy but still it's an eye candy. And those tattoos...
Like I said it's a period drama. It takes place in feudal Japan, around 1860. The year wasn't mentioned, nevertheless historical accuracy is on such a good level that you can tell the year without a fail just by taking closer look at details.
Let's take surnames for example - in short, in this period only samurai class people had surnames, commoners instead of surnames were using the name of their occupation, like Zato = blind man, Zasu = abbot, Kabuki = ya know what's kabuki, right? Commoners were allowed by law to use real surnames in 1875. Also the yokozuna Shiragaji Karaku mentioned in the story must be the Shiranui Kōemon - a real sumo wrestler, awarded a yokozuna licence in October 1863. Of course there's more, it's like mangaka invites you to learn more about Japanese history. I like this kind of play between author and the readers. Search for: tōdōza & kabuki & tengu & tegata & sumo & tsuchigumo & wakō to learn more.
Back to the story, every chapter is a separate story itself, filled with Japanese mythology or more like folk tales, only the two main characters Sensai and Kusanagi connect them all. They are both mature men, interesting, likeable, smart and easy to relate. The plot is complex, rather heavy since it's about sinners, grief and abuse, it's full of drama (but it's not overbearing) and also full of timeless wisdom. There's also some space left for love but yaoi here is more like a side dish than the main course, but it's not a bad thing, it fits the story somehow. I don't have any complaints about this manga, I didn't found anything annoying in here (such a rarity), it was a pleasure to read such exquisite story.
I won't brag about the ending, I mean this mangaka has excellent ideas but she's bad with endings. Usually compared to the stories her endings are flat and rushed and way too open, you name it. This time Sensai's abilities were not explained properly (how he gained his powers? why? was it punishment? if so, what had he done? is there a cure? how old is he? and many other questions) moreover we don't know how his relationship with danna will end (will it end?) but as for me it feels like there will be another volume and that's why I won't brag.