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Taiko Eiji Yoshikawa William Scott Wilson Books

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Taiko Eiji Yoshikawa William Scott Wilson Books

Nobunaga says, "Kill It!", Hideyoshi says, "Make Him Want to Sing", and Ieyasu says, "Wait". If you travel across Japan nearly everyone you speak with will know this. This is arguably my favorite historical fiction novel I have ever read. I first read the hard cover edition when it came out, and last year I enjoyed it even more the second time.

This book is sure to impress both readers new to Japanese history as well as any aficionado. If you are new to Japanese history, this is an excellent introduction to the end of the Feudal period, with the tale finishing at the high point of Hideyoshi's life as The Taiko, or supreme regent, just before the death of Hideyoshi and the epic battle of Sekigahara.

The story follows the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi from his youth to his fortunate close service under the rising military force of Oda Nobunaga. Throughout the tale the larger than life character of Hideyoshi develops over the course of loyal and masterful service until he assumes command after the treacherous death of Nobunaga at the hands of his infamous retainer Akechi Mitsuhide.

This was an age filled with colorful figures, such as Takeda Shingen, who commanded great armies that clashed for supremacy of Japan. Eiji Yoshikawa captures the spirit of this age like no other. The Feudal period is important because it lead to the rise of Ieyasu who eventually unified the country after defeating the forces led by Hideyoshi's son Nobutada, starting at the route at Sekigahara and culminating in the siege of Osaka castle.

These events began a golden age that led to the 300-year Tokugawa shogunate, which came to an abrupt and tragic end during the Meiji Restoration. This is an excellent example of high quality historical fiction, because the reader is left with a solid foundation of the period in order to study the actual history in greater depth.

Japanese people have many opinions of this period, and it is full of controversy and conspiratorial intrigue, and some may take issue with this version of events. For example, some theorize that Mitsuhide was acting on behalf of Ieyasu when the former attacked Nobunaga. This is certainly plausible. Another is that Hideyoshi embarked on the Korean campaigns in order to send Japan's warriors overseas while he solidified his control.

Regardless of anyone's opinion on the nature of the events, Yoshikawa delivers a lively tale that transports the reader back to this age. I find this book vastly superior to his Musashi tale, where Yoshikawa's martial shortcomings were clearly apparent via his interpretation of the main character. This is also a vastly superior tale to Clavell's Shogun, which is historically weak with all the names changed for some odd reason.

Just about anything from William Scott Wilson is great, and I can't recommend this book enough. Enjoy.


Tags : Amazon.com: Taiko (9784770026095): Eiji Yoshikawa, William Scott Wilson: Books,Eiji Yoshikawa, William Scott Wilson,Taiko,Kodansha USA,4770026099,Historical,Epic fiction.,Historical fiction.,Japanese fiction.,1536?-1598,Epic fiction,FICTION Biographical,FICTION Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - Historical,Fiction Historical,Historical - General,Historical fiction,Modern fiction,Toyotomi, Hideyoshi,

Taiko Eiji Yoshikawa William Scott Wilson Books Reviews

I really enjoyed this novel. If you are interested in feudal Japan and like James Clavell's Shogun then this book is for you!
...but most of the time, people just seem to talk out of their...well, you know. Anyway, I was fortunate to find online this gem of Eiji Yoshikawa, "Taiko", while looking up data on the Warring States period of Japan. In the middle of the sixteenth century, Japan had fallen on hard times, as regional warlords has plunged the land into the chaos of civil war. Out of these dark times rose three men who would shape the nation and, ultimately, bring peace to the country...

Oh, but I wax maudlin. The fact is, "Taiko" is an outstanding book, not so much for its portrayal of the battles and intrigues of this period (though there are many), but more for its personal portrayal of its three main protagonists. Hideyoshi, the Monkey, who rises out of poverty to serve and then rule his country, is written vibrantly and, more important, as a human. We see his successes and failures in both love and war, and watch as he ultimately rises (after many struggles), to become "Taiko", the supreme ruler of Japan under the Emperor. There is also Ieyasu Tokugawa, the emotionless ruler of a threadbare province, forced to bide his time until he too can take over the reins of his nation (and indeed, the Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan for 250 years, until the Meiji restoration).

But my favorite character by far is the brutal, rash, and charismatic Nobunaga Oda. It is he that sets the wheels in motion to end the chaos by destroying Yoshimoto Imagawa, the powerful yet inept ruler of a border province. A pure but hard man, his iron way would ultimately lead to his downfall, but here he is shown less as the "Demon King" which many think him to be, and more of a human created and driven by the circumstances to which he must face up.

I find this book fascinating. While this book isn't "Three Kingdoms", it's not trying to be. The influence of that great work is clearly there, but Yoshikawa wants to tell more of the life of his heroes, and not merely of their famed actions. Thus, this book has much wider appeal.

Incidentally, I don't think that the names are anything alike, except in the fact that our lack of familiarity may make them run on each other. Don't let such a criticism frighten you away; the author kindly lists the important players of each book before the reader reads it. So, give this book a try; I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I'll read anything translated by William Scott Wilson, period. Wilson possesses a grasp of the original language that makes his translations both accurate and eminently readable.

Unlike the Heike Story, which is unfinished and appears unpolished, this is a masterwork by Yoshikawa, displaying his true mastery of his craft and art. An interesting story well told—and offering insights into the ancient culture and attitudes of Japan that still pertain today.
Good historical fiction. I did not realize the main characters actually existed and actually did unite Japan. I gave it four rather than five stars because there are many passages that just add words but do not move the story along, resulting in a 924-page book. Nevertheless, this period of Japanese history is presented well and helps one better understand the political and polemic struggles in forming a united country.
Nobunaga says, "Kill It!", Hideyoshi says, "Make Him Want to Sing", and Ieyasu says, "Wait". If you travel across Japan nearly everyone you speak with will know this. This is arguably my favorite historical fiction novel I have ever read. I first read the hard cover edition when it came out, and last year I enjoyed it even more the second time.

This book is sure to impress both readers new to Japanese history as well as any aficionado. If you are new to Japanese history, this is an excellent introduction to the end of the Feudal period, with the tale finishing at the high point of Hideyoshi's life as The Taiko, or supreme regent, just before the death of Hideyoshi and the epic battle of Sekigahara.

The story follows the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi from his youth to his fortunate close service under the rising military force of Oda Nobunaga. Throughout the tale the larger than life character of Hideyoshi develops over the course of loyal and masterful service until he assumes command after the treacherous death of Nobunaga at the hands of his infamous retainer Akechi Mitsuhide.

This was an age filled with colorful figures, such as Takeda Shingen, who commanded great armies that clashed for supremacy of Japan. Eiji Yoshikawa captures the spirit of this age like no other. The Feudal period is important because it lead to the rise of Ieyasu who eventually unified the country after defeating the forces led by Hideyoshi's son Nobutada, starting at the route at Sekigahara and culminating in the siege of Osaka castle.

These events began a golden age that led to the 300-year Tokugawa shogunate, which came to an abrupt and tragic end during the Meiji Restoration. This is an excellent example of high quality historical fiction, because the reader is left with a solid foundation of the period in order to study the actual history in greater depth.

Japanese people have many opinions of this period, and it is full of controversy and conspiratorial intrigue, and some may take issue with this version of events. For example, some theorize that Mitsuhide was acting on behalf of Ieyasu when the former attacked Nobunaga. This is certainly plausible. Another is that Hideyoshi embarked on the Korean campaigns in order to send Japan's warriors overseas while he solidified his control.

Regardless of anyone's opinion on the nature of the events, Yoshikawa delivers a lively tale that transports the reader back to this age. I find this book vastly superior to his Musashi tale, where Yoshikawa's martial shortcomings were clearly apparent via his interpretation of the main character. This is also a vastly superior tale to Clavell's Shogun, which is historically weak with all the names changed for some odd reason.

Just about anything from William Scott Wilson is great, and I can't recommend this book enough. Enjoy.