This book is what I call a true adventure classic. I just finished reading it and I noticed it’s got all the ingredients to make an excellent movie. In fact the mini-series starring Richard Chamberlain was great. I remember watching it when I was a kid. It was my first real exposure to ancient Japanese culture and the Samurai. And I never forgot it. In fact the reason I’m writing this review is because I picked up the book recently and it all came back to me.
This long book is about the first English and Dutch sailors to discover Japan. It’s about one man in particular- the navigator John Blackthorne. Blackthorne and his small crew who manage to survive fierce storms on the high seas face the even greater challenges of trying to understand Japanese culture and society while not getting wiped out. Their western ideals about the preservation of life are in stark contrast to the Japanese way of living which allows for a sort of caste system where every person lives in complete and total obedience to the one above him. The most powerful ruler in the land is the Shogun.
Also, any ruler has the right to demand the life of one below him, be it his wife, son or servant. If this was’nt complex enough, the newcomers are also caught in the middle of a civil war about to erupt between two of the country’s generals who both want to rule. Plus, the sworn enemies of the English and Dutch i.e the Spanish and Portugese have already inhabited Japan and set up trade links and have achieved some measure of influence in the land. Also added are more complex characters like Portugese Jesuits and Spanish Franciscans.
The plot goes like this. Blackthorne and his small crew survive hell on the high seas and are the last remaining sailors on a damaged ship out of hundreds of sailors in a fleet of three ships. After landing in Japan(which uptil then is supposed to be only a rumour to the Dutch), the sailors are captured and thrown into prison by their Japanese rulers who find them dirty and disgusting and want to make use of their ammunition and skills. Blackthorne is selected as their leader by the local daimyo(ruler) who thinks these men can be of some use to him. He is soon taken to the daimyos’ ruler i.e Toranaga, one of the two most powerful men in Japan. In fact throughout the book these men are used as tools and pawns and bargaining chips by the Japanese.
Blackthorne travels with Toranaga, winning his friendship and trust, not knowing Toranagas’ plan for him, only hoping to get his ship and crew back.He travels throughout Japan, being continually amazed by the size of the population and efficiency of the people and armies. His translater, Mariko, whom he falls in love with, helps him learn and cope with Japanese customs. In the meantime, Toranaga is trying to plan a war against his archrival Ishido-the other most powerful man in Japan who wants to become Shogun now that the previous ruler has died. Watch for the surprise ending.
The book absolutely grips you. You can’t put it down.