Shogun by James Clavell
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Book Reviews of Shogun
Book Review: For me, an important book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is marvelous.
Some reviewers have taken Clavell to task for literary and stylistic problems, but I am a reader not a writer, so these reviews were unimportant to me. Several reviewers commented on the ungrammatical Japanese expression in Shogun. Some reviewers also point out that Shogun is also apparently historically/ culturally inaccurate in many respects. Those criticism are perhaps valid; I am not an expert on such matters, and thus cannot judge their validity. But, still, those reveiws were beside the point for me. There is in fact a book called Learning From Shogun that may be downloaded for free on the web, a book in which several scholars critique Clavell's Japan of 1600. And these experts on the whole seem to appreciate what Mr. Clavell has accomplished.
I have read Shogun several times over the years, and each reading leads me to new places. The first time, I was in my mid-teens and I remember how the book opened my eyes, sort of in the way of, "Wow, there are really people who lived like that?" Because I was raised in a very insular and homogenous place, the first reading was very valuable to me. When I read Shogun again when I had begun to seriously play in the world of work, I began to appreciate the complexity of Toronaga's endeavors in balancing the interests of so many factions. Still another reading led me to the small thrill of discovery.
Gracia Hosokawa (Mariko) likely never met Will Adams (Blackthorne). She was a catholic. She did commit suicide in a sense. Her husband, Hosokawa Tadaoki, was nothing like Buntaro, and was in fact a cultured and refined warrior, much like his artistic father, who in turn was nothing like Hiromatsu. And after Sekigahara, Tadaoki was assigned by Tokugawa Ieyasu (Toronaga) to Kokura castle (now a tourist attraction), which gave Ieyasu a strategic foothold on the significantly Christian island of Kyushu. The Hosokawa's son, Tadatoshi, was in charge of Kokura after his father died and helped end the Christian threat to Japan by participating in the massacre of about 40,000 Christians. You have to wonder what Tadatoshi thought about that assignment given his mother's faith. And it is ironic that right over the mountain from the castle ruins where the massacre happened is Unzen national park, a place of stinking hot springs, nicknamed "hell".
This latest reading was also valuable. It reawakened in me an appreciation for simple good manners. The book shows how something as foundational as good manners can be an important tool in life. The book demonstrates that manners are not only a form of respect, a simple gift to extend to other human beings, but also a shield to protect oneself, and even a strong weapon against the ill-mannered. I literally find myself more conscious of my words and actions in every-day life.
For me, this books rates a 5.5 for the simple reason that I am a better man for having read it.
Book Review: My Shogun Summer - Don't Be Intimidated By James Clavell!
Summary: 5 Stars
At over 1100 pages, Shogun is a "big book" that intimidated me from my bathroom shelf for years, almost daring me to read it. I have learned that the key to reading these large volumes is to take them one page, one chapter, and one section at a time. Remember that Shogun was written for people just like you to read and enjoy, and you will be fine. I took Shogun slowly, generally reading 15-30 pages a night, digesting all of the plots, counter plots, alliances, secret alliances, and outstanding characters as I went. Yes it took me most of this summer to finish, but it is a summer, my Shogun Summer, that I will never forget.
An interesting aside here for the historically minded. Toranaga in the novel is based upon the actual Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Blackthorne is loosely based on the actual exploits of sailor William Adams, believed to be the first British subject ever to reach Japan. The events of Shogun lead up to the actual Battle of Sekigahara, a pivital battle in Japanese history.
The thing that struck me most about Shogun is the way that it changes ones thinking. Many in the western world are Eurocentric (viewing the world from a European perspective), thinking the Europe of 1600, the Europe of William Shakespeare, to be the pinnacle of civilization at that time. Certainly Blackthorne thinks so when he is shipwrecked in Japan during an attempted circumnavigation. At first he sees the Japanese as "barbarians," but as time goes on and as he gains a deeper appreciation for the Japanese and for their culture, Blackthorne begins to think of himself as the "barbarian." Compared to Japan, he realizes that the Europe of 1600 is a dirty, often corrupt place with a very different sense of values. Blackthorne learns about honor and the code of Bushido, and eventually becomes a Samurai himself. When he is finally reunited with his men, he is shocked at how unsanitary and ill-mannered they are.
Church politics play a big part in the novel. The Jesuits are the first foreigners to gain a foothold in Japan and use their position to their advantage by controlling trade negotiations between Japan and China, making a fortune for themselves and for the Church in the process. The book brings to light many shocking revelations about the Church and how its work converting the populace in many areas around the world actually contributed to the downfall of many native cultures. It also points out that even though differences between various Christian factions seem large from the inside, when viewed from the outside the differences really are not that great.
Great books make you think, and by this or by any other measure Shogun is a great book - truly one of the very best. Do yourself a favor - take the plunge and read Shogun. It is an amazing adventure, will really open your eyes, and will be something you can think about and treasure for the rest of your life.
Book Review: One of the Finest "Popular" Historical Novels!
Summary: 5 Stars
For sheer narrative power and immersion in another world, few have done it better than Clavell in Shogun. The book grabs you from the first page and never seems to let go. It's an easy read, too, since you barely notice you're reading. (I read it in three days back in the seventies, hardly stopping for air, and have needed bifocals with reading lenses ever since.) A tale of a shipwrecked English ship's pilot in 16th century Japan, this book sweeps the reader through a murky world of political intrigue and bloody violence as the English protagonist, Blackthorne, encounters an alien culture and a world quite unlike any he had known before. Yet, for all its rich evocation of the medieval Japanese nation, the book has some unfortunate blunders including an allusion to a samurai using judo (not invented until the 1880's, while this book takes place in the 16th century) and another shaking off his sandals to kick at an enemy (quite out of character for such warriors since they were predominantly weaponed soldiers who would never choose to kick an enemy if they had access to one of their traditional instruments of war as this one manifestly does . . . and besides so-called karate kicking wasn't introduced into Japan, from Okinawa, until the 1920's). The worst error, however, had Lord Toranaga, Blackthorne's captor and mentor, playing chess, a western game, when it would have made more sense for him to be playing the indigenous Japanese game of go instead. But the Japanese warriors did have jiu-jitsu, the forerunner of modern judo, and kicking could have been a part of what they did (however unlikely) and Toronaga could have taught himself chess since he is portrayed as a quick study with a keen and very deep mind. And besides, these are minor quibbles. Basically, this is a powerful tale of intrigue and maneuvering as the players move about on the chessboard of feudal Japan, never certain who among them is really moving the pieces and who is just being moved -- at least until the end. The sense and feel of the culture, if not the details, also ring remarkably true and you do feel as though you've lived the entire experience when at last you close the book on the final page. The characters themselves are based on real people; the events on things that really occurred -- though Clavell granted himself literary license to manipulate and recast what he found in the histories to make his tale a more dramatic one. It's not a true story in that sense, but it's a great one and well worth a pair of glasses.Book Review: Honor and Barbarians
Summary: 5 Stars
'Historical' fiction is something of a misnomer, as books placed in this category are almost always fiction first and 'historical' only in time and setting. Shogun, however, comes close to being a true example of this field, detailing the late 16th century exploration and exploitation of the Orient by the Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, and English. As few Americans are aware of some of the atrocities and cruelties committed in the name of crown and religion during this period, some of the scenes depicted in this book may come as shock. But they provide an excellent background portrait of the European mind-set of those times, a palette that Clavell uses to contrast and define the extraordinarily different culture of the Japan of that time.And it is his portrait of the Japanese, his lovingly detailed characterizations of Toranaga, Mariko, Omi and their deeply intertwined interactions with the English pilot Blackthorne that defines and breathes life into this breathtakingly large and complex story of love, war, and political intrigue. And these characters are not static. Each grows and changes as events unfold, most especially Blackthorne himself, growing from a totally self-centered 'barbarian' of unclean habits to a person who can appreciate the beauty, intelligence, and moral rectitude of others, who comes to care deeply for those around him, who comes to understand a philosophy of life totally different from that of his own culture. The reader will eventually take each of these characters into his heart, will live right along with them and their problems, cares, successes, and failures, until they are almost more real than the mundane world the reader inhabits.
Is this book totally historically accurate? No, but it doesn't really need to be. It is a fictional account of one of the defining moments of Japanese history, with all the requirements of a work of fiction, written for an American audience, and certain items have yielded to literary license to make the story more approachable by the reader. Certainly Toranaga would not have played chess, but would American readers have understood 'Go' as metaphor for Toranaga's deep political machinations? As a story, a tale of high adventure, as a hard look at alternative life philosophies, as an exposition of a very exotic time, place, and culture, this work succeeds on almost every level. This is an excellent read that will expand your horizons and enrich your life, entertain you and satisfy your inner craving for something different from the every-day world of today.
Book Review: The book that always pleases!
Summary: 5 Stars
John Blackthorne is a Dutch trader sailing along in his boat along with his crew when he decides he wants to find the mysterious Japan he's heard so much about. However time and fate have caught up to him. A storm bellows up and strikes his ship. His ship crashes into Japan and he is washed ashore. Once awaken he stumbles to adjust to the monarchy as samurai may wield there swords at will kill whom they please.After finding his crew he can only be slightly relieved as there ship is under siege by samurai control and there are more to these traders that meet the eye. They are thieves with stolen merchandise and two stolen rudders. While the crew sits in custody and wait to be found out they begin to go crazy. Casting blame and anger. A verdict is finally reached, guilty. The items are found and with the Japanese the punishment is simple. Depending on the crime you have 1 of many ways of execution. Held in captivity where any retaliation resulted in being dumped with fish guts, silt, and infested water, they were given 1 choice. They may be let lose if by the next morning they choose 1 person among them to die. They only exception was it could not be Blackthorne. The high lord Toranaga had plans for him. Toranaga was a daimyo, which was basically a ruler over a part of land. He was planning a secret war that would finally bring him to the title of Shogun, the almighty ruler of Japan. He is scheming to use Blackthorne's skill as a pirate to bring him to victory. It's a story of love and war as Blackthorne falls in love with the beautiful Mariko, who is his personal translator. Throughout the story all Blackthorne wants to do is get to his ship and crew and get home safely.
The story is very strong and is one of the best stories I have read. James Clavell has created an amazing cast based on some fact and some fiction. It is historically accurate and once the plot is set you will be reading for hours.
You must bear through a good part of the first book; there are five books within this gigantic adventure, as it is introducing the characters, tries to show you Japans lifestyle, and how different and difficult a stranger in a strange land can be. However, this is no different from any other great novel. The way I see it, the longer time taken to build the plot, the more vivid and amazing the story will become. This is a excellent book and I recommend it to everyone. James Clavell is an amazing author and I look forward to picking up his earlier book entitled Tai Pan.