日本が近代国家へと歩み始めた明治時代、伊予国（現在の愛媛県）・松山に3人の男がいた。後に連合艦隊参謀として日本海海戦の勝利に貢献する秋山真之、その兄で日本騎兵の父となる好古、俳句・短歌の中興の祖となった正岡子規。彼らはただ前のみを見つめ、明治と言う時代の坂を上ってゆく。
The 19th Century was a turbulent one for Japan. Enduring the throes of change brought about by the Meiji era, it still struggled to join the world and be considered a "civilized, modern nation." After 300 years, samurai turned to labor, farmers sought other industries, and technology became king. Saka no Ue no Kumo covers the later years of the Meiji, when Japan-still wrestling with its identity-fought the little discussed Russo-Japanese War.We join the story with brothers Akiyama Yoshifuru and Akiyama Saneyuki, and their friend, the poet Masaoka Shiki, as they face these travails with decided Japanese spirit.
