Therein lies the only fault of this novel: Hideyoshi is so likable, he appears terribly one-dimensional. Despite his exterior (Monkey face), he seems to have little problems with the ladies either. As befits a true protagonist, the Taiko is always one step ahead of his most cunning enemies, he is loyal to a fault, and able to generate faith and goodwill in himself. The narrative is extremely engaging, with much attention paid to battles (not surprising for that day and age), but also to Hideyoshi's preference for diplomacy over war, and his grandiose plans to build a new nation. Then, following Nobunaga's murder at the hands of Akechi Mitsuhide, it traces Hideyoshi's struggle to maintain his hold on the reigns of government against the usurpation of various Oda retainers, the plotting of Nobunaga's two surviving sons, and the patient, yet menacing, presence of the Tokugawa. The story follows Hideyoshi's inauspicious youth and his gradual ascent up the ladders of power as he moves from a sandal-bearer to one of the most powerful retainers of Oda Nobunaga. As the author's other famous novel MUSASHI (also available in English), TAIKO is an engrossing brisk narrative, close enough to the historical reality, and yet fictionalized enough to give readers a taste of the spirit of the times.
Yoshikawa's superb novel is about the second of these great men, Hideyoshi, commonly known as The Taiko after the title given to him by the Emperor.
Started by the great general Oda Nobunaga of the small province of Owari, continued under his retainer Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and finally completed under the aging Tokugawa Ieyasu of Mikawa, the struggle to subdue the other great clans and bring prosperity to the ravaged land is an inspiring, if bloody, tale of courage, imagination, and political intrigue. Three people would overcome the obstacles in their pursuit of a great vision: the unification and pacification of the entire nation. As the country became fragmented, local daimyo jostled for power and the increase of their land holdings. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 1992 Pages: 926ĭuring the 16th century, the crumbling Ashikaga shogunate plunged Japan into the chaos of a brutal and incessant civil strife. Bulk and academic discounts available - contact us for pricing.Įiji Yoshikawa (Translated by William Scott Wilson)
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