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A review by housedesignerking
The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was a tad disappointed at first. The title gave me the impression that there was a real 'ghost'. It's not so much of a spoiler to say it isn't though, because what the 'ghost' really is turned out to make this story much more interesting and fascinating than I had anticipated.
I've always had a penchant for Samurai stories. Samurai Jack (randomly mentioned) was/is one of my all time favorite cartoons. As the creator said, he wanted to create something that both kids and adults could enjoy. It's been one of the shows that I've kept enjoying as I've aged. So I was actually rather excited when I figured out this was a sort of Samurai story. Admittedly, when I purchased this book, I was rushed out of the store, so one could say that this was one of my best accidental purchases, but I digress.
Seikei is the son of a merchant who endeavors to be a Samurai. His merchant father often mocks his interest as there is a tradition that the son must take up the occupation of the father. Seikei is so interested in being a Samurai that he has read up on them. Stories and facts. Mostly history of Samurai's. His father has taken him on a road trip and they are stopped by the Shogun's men (Shoguns were a commander of a force; hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867). Seikei looks out his window and sees the escapade unfolding. A man has taken offense to the Shogun's men but does not perish. When they are finally allowed through, Seikei's father takes room at Takaido Inn. In the night, a theft takes place of a red jewel and at first, a girl (that Seikei had spoken to the night before) and her father are the prime suspects because the jewel is found in their room. It turns out to be a fake and Seikei eventually speaks up about a 'ghost' he saw in the middle of the night when he could not sleep.Judge Ooka is called upon to aid the investigation for Daimyo (Daimyo; is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country) Lord Hakuseki, the one who had been stolen from. The jewel was to be a gift for the Shogun.
Judge Ooka calls upon Seikei to aid in his investigation. They travel to neighboring cities and Seikei is eventually left to 'follow the right path.' Finding himself traveling with a group of actors, the story unfolds.
I learned about the legend of the Jikininki, what a Yishiki is as well as a Shogun and a Daimyo. 5 Stars.
My note:
May 18, 2012:
Pg 75, 35.21% "not exactly sure what to make of this book. It seems to be more about a thief than a 'ghost'"
I've always had a penchant for Samurai stories. Samurai Jack (randomly mentioned) was/is one of my all time favorite cartoons. As the creator said, he wanted to create something that both kids and adults could enjoy. It's been one of the shows that I've kept enjoying as I've aged. So I was actually rather excited when I figured out this was a sort of Samurai story. Admittedly, when I purchased this book, I was rushed out of the store, so one could say that this was one of my best accidental purchases, but I digress.
Seikei is the son of a merchant who endeavors to be a Samurai. His merchant father often mocks his interest as there is a tradition that the son must take up the occupation of the father. Seikei is so interested in being a Samurai that he has read up on them. Stories and facts. Mostly history of Samurai's. His father has taken him on a road trip and they are stopped by the Shogun's men (Shoguns were a commander of a force; hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867). Seikei looks out his window and sees the escapade unfolding. A man has taken offense to the Shogun's men but does not perish. When they are finally allowed through, Seikei's father takes room at Takaido Inn. In the night, a theft takes place of a red jewel and at first, a girl (that Seikei had spoken to the night before) and her father are the prime suspects because the jewel is found in their room. It turns out to be a fake and Seikei eventually speaks up about a 'ghost' he saw in the middle of the night when he could not sleep.Judge Ooka is called upon to aid the investigation for Daimyo (Daimyo; is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country) Lord Hakuseki, the one who had been stolen from. The jewel was to be a gift for the Shogun.
Judge Ooka calls upon Seikei to aid in his investigation. They travel to neighboring cities and Seikei is eventually left to 'follow the right path.' Finding himself traveling with a group of actors, the story unfolds.
I learned about the legend of the Jikininki, what a Yishiki is as well as a Shogun and a Daimyo. 5 Stars.
My note:
May 18, 2012:
Pg 75, 35.21% "not exactly sure what to make of this book. It seems to be more about a thief than a 'ghost'"