The setting alone was very fascinating for me, a true historical emersion into feudal Japan which I knew very little of. For starters I just recently discovered from this book that Japan was not discovered until the late 1500s by Portugal. Also of equal interest was the early influence the Catholic Church had after this arrival, but were then later expelled by the local Shinto and Buddhist faiths. I'd say this book was everything I was after in regards to better understanding Feudal Japan and it's overall culture. The TV show was also top quality, with great film production, even though it differed on a few key points from the book. One thing I was disappointed however was the rather abrupt ending which I'll get more into in the review.
The Plot Synopsis
John Blackthorne is an English pilot of the Dutch ship known as Erasmus which is lost at sea for some time and eventually crashes on the coast of Izu Harbor, Japan. He and his crew are taken prisoners by the local Japanese daimyo Yabu, who intends to keep the ship for himself. Blackthorne is defiant and puts up a fight against his captors who later refer to him as a barbarian. News of the mysterious ships quickly reaches Yabu's liege lord Toranaga who summons him to bring the barbarian before him to Osaka. Once again Blackthorne displays his strong character of resistance, fighting with the Portuguese translators. Toranaga observes this fighting between the European foreigners and discovers there are two warring sects of the Christian faith between the Catholics and the Protestants.
Sensing a new threat with Blackthorne's arrival, the enemy regents, supported by the Catholic Portuguese send assassin's to kill Blackthorne however fail. Toranaga decides to then leave Osaka with Blackthorne, whom he now considers a great asset in his fight against the enemy regents. Toranaga grants him the privilege of hatamoto samurai with his own residence, wife, and even courtesans. Mariko continues to grow close to Blackthorne, as she translates for him and teaches him of Japense customs beginning to fall in love with him. However Blackthorne still desires to wage war against the Portuguese Catholics and return to his home in England. He even threatens to commit seppuki, which further demonstrate his fierce resolve to the Japanese daimyos.
After some time Blackthorne does begin to learn the language and also trains the samurai army in the use of cannon warfare. During this time a great earthquake hits the town of Anjiro, by which Blackthorne saves Toranaga and thus strengthens their trust. However despite his newly acquired skilled navigator, Toranaga still has the odds stacked against him by the regent lords of Osaka led by Ishido. Toranaga is visited by his brother Zataki who informs him he has joined sides with Ishido, and the only option left for Toranaga is to give himself up and commit seppuku. While his war-counsel of Hiromatsu, Yabu, Buntaro, Naga, and Omi seek war, Toranaga instead plans to surrender. He sends Mariko to Osaka as his messenger to lord Ishido.
The death of Mariko was a tragedy for all of Osaka, and quickly turned the noble regents against Ishido, which was something he did not intend. This was ultimately a masterplan by Toranaga, knowing he could not defeat Ishido by sheer force and would need this act to help divide the regent lords. Furthermore Yabu was discovered for his treachery and ordered by Toranaga to commit seppuku. Upon his return from Osaka, Blackthorne discovers his ship the Erasmus has been sunk. Toranaga later reveals that a deal was made with the Catholics that Blackthorne's life could be spared if this ship was destroyed. Due to the sacrifice of Mariko and the loss of his ship, Blackthrone develops a new purpose to join Toranaga's fight and rebuild a new ship. The book ends with a brief paragraph on Toranaga's easy defeat of Ishido.
The Review
I was also dissatisfied with the abrupt ending and think there could have been a sequel. The whole book is building to this war between Toranaga and Ishido, and the reader never really gets to see it unfold. Rather it's a game of tactical chess, with complex political and diplomatic schemes, Toranaga being the mastermind of it all. With as much detail as there was in the book, Clavell could have certainly dove further into a proper Japanese samurai battle. While we know that Toranaga had already won the battle before it began, why not spell this out in more detail. It would have been great to hear Ishido's final realization and dialogue that his alliance had broken and he was defeated. I also feel Blackthrone's animosity towards Mariko's husband Buntaro was also unresolved especially after her death.
Aside from these two major anti-climatic points, the book still provided some great historical insight with powerful themes. I would say there was definitely a Japanese concept at work throughout the book, pertaining to their beliefs of honor, duty, karma, and destiny. What's especially interesting in this book, is the culture clash that occurs, where we get to see Japan's unique customs from the perspective of a westerner, Blackthrone (this being ideal for western readers). For me the most eye-opening aspect I learned from this book, was this extreme servitude by both Japanese men and women, who would quickly embrace death in the name of honor.
The Characters
Toranaga: He is the chief daimyo of the book portraying Tokugawa Ieyasu who would later establish the glorious Tokugawa Shogunate. Toranaga is depicted as a very wise and observant man, often calculating his opponents and his next move. His curiosity and willingness to learn of Blackthrone is what helps him gain the upper advantage on his rivals.
Mariko: She is one of the most interesting characters in the story. Her father was a traitor and her family was killed, yet she was spared by her husband Buntaro. She converted to Christianity seeking a new path to salvation and became fluent in various languages such as Latin and Portuguese. It is thru this skill of translation that she becomes a vital tool for Lord Toranaga. Her story is further enhanced when she falls for Blackthorne and reveals the elements of Japanese culture to him. She is ultimately a somber character who restrains her emotions it total stoicism, a concept she refers to as the eightfold path. She sees her sacrifice as the ultimate path to restore her family's honor, and achieve her fate.
Yabu: He is a the chief lord serving under Toranaga, with a sly humorous and scheming character. He is the first to discover Blackthorne and intends to use him for his own personal ambitions. His loyalty to Toranaga is questioned throughout the story, and ultimately breaks when he helps Ishido, which leads to his seppuku at the end.
Hiromatsu: He is the elder lord and most devoted general for Toranaga who confronts Yabu when the Dutch ship is discovered. He sides with Toranaga most the story, until the end when he commits seppuku in protest of Toranaga's decision not to fight.
Buntaro: He is a courageous samurai lord of Toranaga, and husband to Mariko. He is also a somber figure sharing in the remorse of his wife. He was believed to have been killed early in the story, but later returns and grows animosity towards Blackthrone due to his strong relation with his wife. Even after the death of his wife, his relationship is somewhat unresolved with Blackthrone.
Ishido: He is Toranaga's chief rival in the council of regents, and seeks to establish himself as Shogun.
Kiku: She is the most beautiful courtesan of Japan who is a consort to Omi, Toranaga, and Blackthrone. She is later arranged to be Blackthrone's husband at the end of the book.
Lady Ochiba: She is the heir of the fallen Taiko, who holds significant influence over the regent lords. She is a friend of Mariko, and later decides to pull her alliance with Ishido due to Mariko's death.
Naga-sun: He is the son of Toranaga, eager and willing to prove himself but perhaps not as strong as his father.
Rodrigues: He is a skillful Portuguese navigator who befriends Blackthrone, despite their animosity towards one another. They share a rather humorous relationship, a mutual hate yet respect for the other.
The TV Series
It was actually thanks to the Hulu TV series, that I decided to read this epic novel. I remember seeing the advertisements over a year ago, and could tell it was a top quality historical production. I knew AC Shadows was being released a year later, so I decided to hold from watching the show until I began playing the game. The two were a perfect pair for one another both pertaining to the historical setting of feudal Japan. I of course made sure to start the TV show as I was reaching the backend of the book. However after a couple episodes in I was surprised to discover that the full book would be recounted in this first season and not the additional seasons to follow. So I had to really delay the final 5 episodes so I could finish Part 2 of the book.
However despite it's differences from the original book, I would say the TV show definitely enhanced the story with it's dramatic flare. The show had a thematic quality to it, a grand-scale epic production on par with Game of Thrones. I wasn't too crazy about the lead actor portraying Blackthrone and his somewhat goofy demeanor, however I did enjoy the portrayals of Toranaga and Mariko. The setting, wardrobe, landscape, and music are quite captivating and really set this historical scene. For me what really gave the show an artistic quality was the use of poetry thru-out. The final poem at the end, really did move me, by Mariko and Ochiba;
While the snow remains, veiled in the haze of a cold evening, a leafless branch...
Flowers are only flowers because they fall.
Thankfully, the wind.
For me this poem captures the essence of Japanese culture, which is primarily focused on honor, duty, sacrifice, and fate. It's no doubt a somber poem that hints at Mariko's grim state by which nothing beautiful in this world can last for long. Furthermore she sees herself as this falling flower needing to achieve this sacrifice to fulfill her fate. However Ochiba adds a touch of hope in that final line, that states this beauty can live on even after the fall, which hints at Mariko's legacy after her death. Poetry such as this is relevant throughout the book, but especially more meaningful in the TV show. Also the ending dialogue between Yabu and Toranaga was equally powerful and poetic which made everything very clear at the end. It was a great show and I look forward to the seasons to follow that will expand on Toranaga's new shogunate.
