Between the years 1639 to 1854, Japan was in what Western historians call "a state of self-imposed isolation". From the Japanese point of view, it was a period when foreigners were not allowed in the country. Subtle difference. One of the main reasons Japan closed its doors to foreign countries was the behavior of Christian missionaries. … Continue reading The Amakusa Rebellion 1637
Tag: Japan
The Fate of the Sword
A man I know, a reputable lawyer in Japan, was renovating his ancestral home when a samurai sword was discovered in the space above the ceiling. Shortly after WWII, when the Americans occupied Japan, samurai swords were banned and the Americans were wantonly confiscating and destroying them. Many precious heirlooms were hidden in walls and … Continue reading The Fate of the Sword
Kurosawa’s Samurais
Toshiro Mifune was an aerial photographer for the Japanese Imperial Army, where he saw numerous eighteen-year-old conscripts fly off on kamikaze missions, an experience that gave him a lifelong hatred of the war. Later in his career, when he was typecast as an Imperial military officer, he was asked in an interview what he personally … Continue reading Kurosawa’s Samurais
Writing Exercise 1
I have not read Fifty Shades of Grey because it has been reported that the lousy prose is contagious. Zoe Williams of the Guardian wrote in her review of E. L. James’ trilogy “Goddammit. I've been infected by James's ominous, staccato delivery. After 1,600 pages of the stuff, you will too. I'm doing it again. … Continue reading Writing Exercise 1
The Sakai Incident 1868
When the Americans took Bagdhad in the Second Gulf War, the residents of the city took to looting stores, warehouses and museums in a state of total chaos. In bygone years, such anarchy was enough justification for foreign powers to take over any given city, harbor or even nation on the pretext of restoring law … Continue reading The Sakai Incident 1868
Where are the samurai stories?
It is very difficult to find good, new samurai fiction in the English language, or any Japanese fiction for that matter. If you look for a list of best samurai fiction, or historical novels, on Goodreads, you will find Shogun by James Clavell (published 1975), Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa (1939), Taiko by the same author … Continue reading Where are the samurai stories?
The Samurai Novelist
I write under the nom de plume Akira Fuyuno. I am a professional with a full time job, but I have dreamed of becoming a novelist since childhood. I hope to meet other aspiring novelists and discuss writing and its difficulties. I am Japanese (living in rural Japan) and English is my second language, but … Continue reading The Samurai Novelist
Samurai Novelist 