Mention Books Toward Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan
| Original Title: | Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan |
| ISBN: | 4770026099 (ISBN13: 9784770026095) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Nobunaga Oda, Ieyasu Tokugawa |
| Setting: | Japan |
Eiji Yoshikawa
Hardcover | Pages: 940 pages Rating: 4.25 | 3859 Users | 303 Reviews
Itemize About Books Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan
| Title | : | Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan |
| Author | : | Eiji Yoshikawa |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 940 pages |
| Published | : | January 16th 2001 by Kodansha (first published 1967) |
| Categories | : | Historical. Historical Fiction. Cultural. Japan. Fiction. Asian Literature. Japanese Literature |
Narration Supposing Books Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan
In the tempestuous closing decades of the sixteenth century, the Empire of Japan writhes in chaos as the shogunate crumbles and rival warlords battle for supremacy. Warrior monks in their armed citadels block the road to the capital; castles are destroyed, villages plundered, fields put to the torch. Amid this devastation, three men dream of uniting the nation. At one extreme is the charismatic but brutal Nobunaga, whose ruthless ambition crushes all before him. At the opposite pole is the cold, deliberate Ieyasu, wise in counsel, brave in battle, mature beyond his years. But the keystone of this triumvirate is the most memorable of all, Hideyoshi, who rises from the menial post of sandal bearer to become Taiko-absolute ruler of Japan in the Emperor's name. When Nobunaga emerges from obscurity by destroying an army ten times the size of his own, he allies himself with Ieyasu, whose province is weak, but whose canniness and loyalty make him invaluable. Yet it is the scrawny, monkey-faced Hideyoshi-brash, impulsive, and utterly fearless-who becomes the unlikely savior of this ravaged land. Born the son of a farmer, he takes on the world with nothing but his bare hands and his wits, turning doubters into loyal servants, rivals into faithful friends, and enemies into allies. In all this he uses a piercing insight into human nature that unlocks castle gates, opens men's minds, and captures women's hearts. For Hideyoshi's passions are not limited to war and intrigue-his faithful wife, Nene, holds his love dear, even when she must share it; the chaste Oyu, sister of Hideyoshi's chief strategist, falls prey to his desires; and the seductive Chacha, whom he rescues from the fiery destruction of her father's castle, tempts his weakness. As recounted by Eiji Yoshikawa, author of the international best-seller Musashi, Taiko tells many stories: of the fury of Nobunaga and the fatal arrogance of the black-toothed Yoshimoto; of the pathetic downfall of the House of Takeda; how the scorned Mitsuhide betrayed his master; how once impregnable ramparts fell as their defenders died gloriously. Most of all, though, Taiko is the story of how one man transformed a nation through the force of his will and the depth of his humanity. Filled with scenes of pageantry and violence, acts of treachery and self-sacrifice, tenderness and savagery, Taiko combines the panoramic spectacle of a Kurosawa epic with a vivid evocation of feudal Japan.Rating About Books Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan
Ratings: 4.25 From 3859 Users | 303 ReviewsComment On About Books Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan
This was a surprisingly approachable historical novel for a 1200+ page century old novel that includes over 100 figures from the Sengoku Period of feudal Japan. I came in knowing a fair amount about the period, knowing the major figures like Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Hideyoshi, Nene, etc. Characters were easy to remember and manage near the beginning of the novel, but at some points I forgot the allegiances of some of the minor characters that popped up. But compared to something like RomanceWhat i love about this book that it's based on true story, a story about a young (very naughty) peasant that dreams to be somebody famous. Turns out from his hard work and his smart ideas he reached to the top and became one of the greatest ruler of Japan. This book shows that everything starts from a dream and we can be whoever we want to be as long as we work hard (starting from the bottom) and be smart, but also be tactful.
Based on true story of Hideyoshi, the taiko, the ruler of japan on behalf of the emperor at feudal era.A fascinating story about a person who struggles from zero to hero, and yet still very "human" which his strengths and weaknesses.This book, together with "Musashi", indeed made me, until now, eager to learn anything related with japan. its culture, spirit, people, way of life, language...anything. Not mentioning that currently I am working in a japanese company :)
An absolute must read for anyone who want to see Sun Tzu's Art Of War in practice.This book gives an accurate picture of the waring period of japan, when provincial warlords vied for the title of shogun. The book follows the struggle of Hideyoshi in his attempt to become a samurai of worth, which he achieves (and then some). Although a book about about Hideyoshi it also delves into the lives of the other warlords, notibly the the great Oda Nobunaga who had a reputation for both ruthlessness and
You know there used to be this thing in Japan called the "Sengoku" period which was basically civil war all over the place, the Shogun was kind of a loser and every lord of any clan tried to become the leader of Japan.This book is a fictionalized account of the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the guy who finally united the country, first under Oda Nobunaga and later on by himself. Because that life was long and complicated the book is with 944 pages big enough to kill a cat, there's enough Japanese
Good book on a historic period of feudal strife in Japan. I wasn't sure I'd finish all 926 pages, but I did. I agree with those who say the names are a challenge, the main character's name changing twice as a good example. It's somewhat repetitive with one campaign following the next, one castle being taken after another, etc. That being said, the various subordinate characters are interesting, and throughout, the book conveys a strong sense of what it must have been like to live in Japan during
What i love about this book that it's based on true story, a story about a young (very naughty) peasant that dreams to be somebody famous. Turns out from his hard work and his smart ideas he reached to the top and became one of the greatest ruler of Japan. This book shows that everything starts from a dream and we can be whoever we want to be as long as we work hard (starting from the bottom) and be smart, but also be tactful.
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