Takekurabe

, English titles including Growing Up and '''''Child's Play''''', is a novella by Japanese writer Ichiyō Higuchi, first published in 1895–96. It depicts a group of youths growing up in Shitaya Ryūsenji-chō, Yoshiwara, Meiji era Tokyo's red light district, over a span of four months.

==Characters== Midori – a 14-year-old girl whose family lives in the Daikokuya brothel. Her older sister, Ōmaki, works as a popular courtesan. Midori was born in Kishū and does not have direct ties to either of the gangs because her family is not under the protection of the Senzoku Shrine, nor does her family belong to the Ryūgeji temple parish. She is a bright and delightful child who loves to play with her friends. Once she becomes older, she is to follow in her older sister's footsteps and become a courtesan at the Daikokuya brothel. Nobuyuki (Nobu) – a 15-year-old boy who is the son of the Ryūgeji temple's Buddhist priest. Nobu is a rather gloomy and introverted boy who is extremely devoted to his studies. He is Ryūgeji's heir but he is at odds with his family because he disagrees with his father's worldly ways and greedy profiteering, and does not intend to become a Buddhist priest. Chōkichi – leader of the "Back Street Gang". He is the son of a construction crew foreman. He is a callous, hot-headed, and ill-mannered boy who often looks to pick fights with Shōta. He causes many conflicts in the story. Shōta – leader of the "Main Street Gang" and son of the local pawnbroker. Shōta is a well-educated, but often naive and arrogant boy who was orphaned and has been raised by his grandmother. He appears to have grown up faster than all the other children as he takes on many adult responsibilities like collecting interest payments on the loans of clients. He is also Midori's best friend. Sangorō – a supporting character in the story. Sangorō is the son of a rickshaw man whose family lives in a house owned by Chōkichi's father. Since Chōkichi's family owns Sangorō's home, Sangorō gets dragged into a lot of Chōkichi's messes.