MASTER ASSASSIN
His name is Baian; his professions are acupuncture and murder. A needle deftly inserted into the human body by his hands can bring relief and healing; for the defense of justice and honor - and for the right price - it can also bring instant death.
Set in a world of corrupt samurai lords, ruthless merchant princes, fawning geisha and deadly ninja, volume one of Ikenami's Master Assassin series introduces Baian and his friend and accomplice Hikojiro in six tales of murder and deceit.

"Master Assassin" (仕掛人・藤枝梅安：Shikakenin Fujieda Baian) is a series of crime entertainment short stories set in Edo period written by Shotaro IKENAMI (池波 正太郎) released from 1972 to 1990.
The 7 series books have 20 episodes in total, which are adapted into TV drama in 70's and 80's to gain good reputation.

This book contains 6 episodes of the series;
- Two Wives (おんなごろし)
- The Uncertain Assassin (梅安 迷い箸)
- Four Killers (殺しの四人)
- Autumn Journey (秋風二人旅)
- Leave him to his Fate (後は知らない)
- New Year's Noodles (梅安晦日蕎麦)

The work is also adapted into films and Manga as such other Ikenami's historical fiction stories as "Onihei hankacho (鬼平犯科帳)" and "Kenkaku Syobai (剣客商売)".
Many of his books have been all-time-best long sellers.
An anime adaption of "Onihei" was aired in 2017 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the novella's first release.