I’ve always found Japanese history, particularly that of the Samurai, fascinating, but living on the other side of the world in a completely different time, and in a completely different culture, one can never truly know what these people and the time and place they lived in was really like.
What we can do is simply enjoy these snap shots from the past about a culture long gone that we may still have something to learn from.
Originally published in 1900, the setting for this book is between the end of feudalism and the beginning of modern Japan and is, to my mind at least, a wonderful view of the past and what that can possibly mean for the future.
A very interesting book for anyone who enjoys reading and learning about Japan, especially the historical influences of Bushido on modern Japan.
I only gave it 4 stars on goodreads as it does use some very long and not often used words; i found myself using “Look Up” on my Kindle a great deal which did detract from the flow of the book. Having said that, it’s definitely worth the effort and you do learn a few things along the way, so please don’t let that put you off an otherwise really good book.
And thus begins my little, Japanese reading festival, next book up is Child of Vengeance by David Kirk.
