Book Review: Works of Eiji Yoshikawa
Taiko
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Musashi
By Eiji Yoshikawa
The Heike Story
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Taiko -- An Epic Novel Of War And Glory In Feudal Japan
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Translated by:
ISBN# 4770026099
Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN) (December 2000)
$35.00
Taiko is wonderful book to read, even if one isn’t a big fan of Japanese history or culture. While based on historical people, places, and events, this story is fictionalized. As a result the story becomes a true epic tale.
Basically, this book tells the story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three men who helped to unify Japan in the 16th century. The story starts with Hideyoshi as a child, and chronicles his rise to power. The story explains the various events that shaped the man whom would one day lead Japan, and the inner thoughts he must have had during his life.
Along the way the reader learns about military conquests, samurai honor, clan relationships, and the other men of his period that shaped Japan.
Of course no book covering this turbulent time in Japanese history would be complete with out numerous battles, political intrigue, and humorous anecdotes, an accomplishment that highlights the story telling mastery of Yoshikawa.
Characters are fully described, as are their motives. This is done in such a manner that not only can one fully understand who these men were, but one can actually empathize with their motives.
This book is extremely long, 944 pages. However, the story is captivating enough that once you start you most likely wont want to set it aside for long. There are some dry parts, but those are easily overlooked.
I highly recommend this book.
Musashi
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Translated by Charles S. Terry
ISBN# 4770019572
Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN); Reprint edition (May 1995)
$35.00
This is most likely Yoshikawa’s most famous epic. At least for western audiences, who though they may not have read the book, might be familiary with the movie (Samurai Trilogy starting T. Mifune) based upon it.
Written in the early part of the 20th century, this book tells the story about one of Japan’s most famous swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. While there is plenty of historical information in this book, this book is once again a fictionalized story. A story of Musashi’s life, from brutish child, to a man who searches for enlightenment.
Basically the book only covers the early years of Musashi’s life, up until his famous duel with Sasaki Kojiro (April 13 1612, on the remote island of Funajima). However, by covering these formative years the reader gains some insight into who Musashi was, and the events that shaped the man.
What is really great about the book is that this story is not about a man who fights with a sword. Yes, plenty of swordplay is present, but the main part of the book emphasizes Musashi’s inner struggle to perfect himself. This self-perfection is a Buddhist ideal that was cultivated by the Japanese warrior class in order to add a spiritual dimension to their profession of war and killing.
Unable to settle down, and lacking the desire to become a retainer, Musashi travels throughout Japan searching for the means to achieve this perfection. In the process he encounters friends, lovers, and countless enemies seeking to destroy him.
One very interesting element of this book are the other characters, which are intertwined with Musashi through his travels, and represent other aspects of mankind.
Musashi, a man of incredible physical strength, starts off brutish and arrogant. But he learns inner strength and transforms into a man who understands it okay to be weak sometimes. This is the realization that allows him to triumph over himself.
In contrast, Kojiro is depicted as a man who is ambitious, arrogant, and willing to do anything to achieve his goals. In their first encounter, long before their famous duel, Musashi defeats Kojiri. Unfortunately, Kojiro does not learn from the experience, and the experience of defeat consumes him.
Matahachi, Musashi’s childhood friend, is lazy, weak and an opportunist. He has a hard time making the right decisions, and is easily convinced to pursue the wrong course of action. However, his character is redeemed, and he finds strength from his weaknesses.
Osugi, Matahachi’s mother, is Musashi’s greatest enemy in this tale. She travels Japan searching for Musashi so that she can kill him. All because she feels he was responsible for Matahachi’s decline and fall. Her relentless chase and unwillingness to forgive Musashi even after she learns the truth is remarkable. She is clearly stubborn, opinionated, and willing to risk everything to complete her objective.
She is also the only character in the book that constantly thwarts Musashi; in one encounter she even injures him. More importantly, she causes Musashi to let down his guard on numerous occasions, where he can easily be attacked. Fortunately, she is never fully successful with her attempts.
Of course by showing Musashi’s vulnerable side, Musashi is humanized.
This book is 984 pages long. However, once you start reading be prepared not to stop. It is very well written, and worth your time.
The Heike Story: A Modern Translation of the Classic Tale of Love and War (Paperback)
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Illustrated by Kenkichi Sugimoto
Translated by Fuki Wooyenaka Uramatsu
ISBN# 0804833184
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (August 2002)
$35.00
The Heike is the story of the great Japanese civil war that took place in the latter half of the 12th century between the Taira (Heike) and the Minamoto (Genji). A war that ended with the Minamoto victory at Dan-no-Ura in 1185. This story became the subject of many compositions, the most famous being the Kakuichi version of 1371
Translations of Japanese classics are often hampered due to the archaic language used in the originals texts. This was not the case with Yoshikawa’s version. In this tale, Yoshikawa has achieved a balanced fusion of great storytelling while staying true to the original material. This is no small achievement, and is one of the main reasons I suggest reading this book, even if one is already familiar with other translations of this story.
Unfortunately, unlike the previously reviewed two stories, this book has come under a lot of criticism due to the way it was translated into English. However, I don’t think some of these complaints take away from the overall enjoyment of reading this book.
Yoshikawa’s version of the “Heike Story” remains true to the history of the conflict, while putting the story in novel form. As a result he flushes out the historical characters and brings them to life.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in Japanese history and culture, especially the Kamakura period.
Eiji Yoshikawa was born in 1892 in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo. He began his literary career at the age of twenty-two. During his thirties he worked as a journalist while continuing to write stories and novels, reaching a large and appreciative readership through having his work published, often serially, in newspapers and popular magazines. At the time of his death in 1962, he was one of Japan's best-known and best-loved novelists. He received the Cultural Medal, the highest award for a man of letters, and other cultural decorations, including the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
www.fictionbook.ru/en/author/iesikava_yeyidzi/
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Musashi
By Eiji Yoshikawa
The Heike Story
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Taiko -- An Epic Novel Of War And Glory In Feudal Japan
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Translated by:
ISBN# 4770026099
Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN) (December 2000)
$35.00
Taiko is wonderful book to read, even if one isn’t a big fan of Japanese history or culture. While based on historical people, places, and events, this story is fictionalized. As a result the story becomes a true epic tale.
Basically, this book tells the story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three men who helped to unify Japan in the 16th century. The story starts with Hideyoshi as a child, and chronicles his rise to power. The story explains the various events that shaped the man whom would one day lead Japan, and the inner thoughts he must have had during his life.
Along the way the reader learns about military conquests, samurai honor, clan relationships, and the other men of his period that shaped Japan.
Of course no book covering this turbulent time in Japanese history would be complete with out numerous battles, political intrigue, and humorous anecdotes, an accomplishment that highlights the story telling mastery of Yoshikawa.
Characters are fully described, as are their motives. This is done in such a manner that not only can one fully understand who these men were, but one can actually empathize with their motives.
This book is extremely long, 944 pages. However, the story is captivating enough that once you start you most likely wont want to set it aside for long. There are some dry parts, but those are easily overlooked.
I highly recommend this book.
Musashi
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Translated by Charles S. Terry
ISBN# 4770019572
Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN); Reprint edition (May 1995)
$35.00
This is most likely Yoshikawa’s most famous epic. At least for western audiences, who though they may not have read the book, might be familiary with the movie (Samurai Trilogy starting T. Mifune) based upon it.
Written in the early part of the 20th century, this book tells the story about one of Japan’s most famous swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. While there is plenty of historical information in this book, this book is once again a fictionalized story. A story of Musashi’s life, from brutish child, to a man who searches for enlightenment.
Basically the book only covers the early years of Musashi’s life, up until his famous duel with Sasaki Kojiro (April 13 1612, on the remote island of Funajima). However, by covering these formative years the reader gains some insight into who Musashi was, and the events that shaped the man.
What is really great about the book is that this story is not about a man who fights with a sword. Yes, plenty of swordplay is present, but the main part of the book emphasizes Musashi’s inner struggle to perfect himself. This self-perfection is a Buddhist ideal that was cultivated by the Japanese warrior class in order to add a spiritual dimension to their profession of war and killing.
Unable to settle down, and lacking the desire to become a retainer, Musashi travels throughout Japan searching for the means to achieve this perfection. In the process he encounters friends, lovers, and countless enemies seeking to destroy him.
One very interesting element of this book are the other characters, which are intertwined with Musashi through his travels, and represent other aspects of mankind.
Musashi, a man of incredible physical strength, starts off brutish and arrogant. But he learns inner strength and transforms into a man who understands it okay to be weak sometimes. This is the realization that allows him to triumph over himself.
In contrast, Kojiro is depicted as a man who is ambitious, arrogant, and willing to do anything to achieve his goals. In their first encounter, long before their famous duel, Musashi defeats Kojiri. Unfortunately, Kojiro does not learn from the experience, and the experience of defeat consumes him.
Matahachi, Musashi’s childhood friend, is lazy, weak and an opportunist. He has a hard time making the right decisions, and is easily convinced to pursue the wrong course of action. However, his character is redeemed, and he finds strength from his weaknesses.
Osugi, Matahachi’s mother, is Musashi’s greatest enemy in this tale. She travels Japan searching for Musashi so that she can kill him. All because she feels he was responsible for Matahachi’s decline and fall. Her relentless chase and unwillingness to forgive Musashi even after she learns the truth is remarkable. She is clearly stubborn, opinionated, and willing to risk everything to complete her objective.
She is also the only character in the book that constantly thwarts Musashi; in one encounter she even injures him. More importantly, she causes Musashi to let down his guard on numerous occasions, where he can easily be attacked. Fortunately, she is never fully successful with her attempts.
Of course by showing Musashi’s vulnerable side, Musashi is humanized.
This book is 984 pages long. However, once you start reading be prepared not to stop. It is very well written, and worth your time.
The Heike Story: A Modern Translation of the Classic Tale of Love and War (Paperback)
By Eiji Yoshikawa
Illustrated by Kenkichi Sugimoto
Translated by Fuki Wooyenaka Uramatsu
ISBN# 0804833184
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (August 2002)
$35.00
The Heike is the story of the great Japanese civil war that took place in the latter half of the 12th century between the Taira (Heike) and the Minamoto (Genji). A war that ended with the Minamoto victory at Dan-no-Ura in 1185. This story became the subject of many compositions, the most famous being the Kakuichi version of 1371
Translations of Japanese classics are often hampered due to the archaic language used in the originals texts. This was not the case with Yoshikawa’s version. In this tale, Yoshikawa has achieved a balanced fusion of great storytelling while staying true to the original material. This is no small achievement, and is one of the main reasons I suggest reading this book, even if one is already familiar with other translations of this story.
Unfortunately, unlike the previously reviewed two stories, this book has come under a lot of criticism due to the way it was translated into English. However, I don’t think some of these complaints take away from the overall enjoyment of reading this book.
Yoshikawa’s version of the “Heike Story” remains true to the history of the conflict, while putting the story in novel form. As a result he flushes out the historical characters and brings them to life.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in Japanese history and culture, especially the Kamakura period.
Eiji Yoshikawa was born in 1892 in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo. He began his literary career at the age of twenty-two. During his thirties he worked as a journalist while continuing to write stories and novels, reaching a large and appreciative readership through having his work published, often serially, in newspapers and popular magazines. At the time of his death in 1962, he was one of Japan's best-known and best-loved novelists. He received the Cultural Medal, the highest award for a man of letters, and other cultural decorations, including the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
www.fictionbook.ru/en/author/iesikava_yeyidzi/
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