- Hardcover: 944 pages
- Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd (Dec 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 4770026099
- ISBN-13: 978-4770026095
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 15.8 x 3.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 303,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
"Something for everyone-history, romance, acts of great loyalty and treachery, monumental battle scenes...highly recommended." -San Francisco Chronicle
"Eiji Yoshikawa's epic is the real thing, the insider's guide to one of the most periods in Japanese history." -New York Newsday
"A unique opportunity for Western readers to explore a time, a man and the creation of modern Japan from a genuinely Japanese perspective." -The Washington Times
"A vibrant tale of heroic deeds and black villainy that brings to life distant times and people" -Library Journal
Product Description
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.
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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An absoulute must read for anyone who want to see Sun Tzu's Art Of War in practice.
This book gives an acurate picture of the waring periode 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 achives (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 ruthfullness and recklesness, i found myself enjoying reading more of Nobunaga than Hideyoshi, but in the end there is no doubt who had the best qualities for the title of Shogun. The book is written in a style which gives the impresion that Yoshikawa was there with these extraordinary charecters.
The best book ever
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am not exactly a Japanese history expert but I read some books about samurai, novels (including "Shogun" of course) as well as non fiction and this is may be the reason why I managed to go through this book quite easily. Still, I recognise that if you are new in this topic, it is better to read something about the historical background of Toyotomi Hideyoski and Oda Nobunaga, before attacking this very long book.
This being said I was greatly impressed by this major book by Eiji Yoshikawa. Now, I was already a little familiar with his style, having read "The Heike story", but it is not absolutely necessary. In fact the translation in English was so well made that "Taiko" is quite easy to read (a deep bow to the translator here). What is a little bit harder is the number of characters (almost all of them historical) and of the battles - there is no way you can actually keep track of all of them, but even then, the book still holds its own. Now, this is a sad story, because although the hero is rising, we also see a great number of courageous and noble characters being destroyed in the process. A good thing is that the author didn't try to portray Hideyoshi as a "good guy" and his ennemies as "bad guys". In fact the fight for the domination of Japan in XVI century was waged by numerous warlords, of whom few could be described as true villains - and it is well shown in the book.
This succession of wars, battles, massacres, murders and suicides can be at the very end a little depressing - but it is nevertheless a great read and a great story about an exceptionnal and unexpected great warrior and politician. I warmly recommend it.
This being said I was greatly impressed by this major book by Eiji Yoshikawa. Now, I was already a little familiar with his style, having read "The Heike story", but it is not absolutely necessary. In fact the translation in English was so well made that "Taiko" is quite easy to read (a deep bow to the translator here). What is a little bit harder is the number of characters (almost all of them historical) and of the battles - there is no way you can actually keep track of all of them, but even then, the book still holds its own. Now, this is a sad story, because although the hero is rising, we also see a great number of courageous and noble characters being destroyed in the process. A good thing is that the author didn't try to portray Hideyoshi as a "good guy" and his ennemies as "bad guys". In fact the fight for the domination of Japan in XVI century was waged by numerous warlords, of whom few could be described as true villains - and it is well shown in the book.
This succession of wars, battles, massacres, murders and suicides can be at the very end a little depressing - but it is nevertheless a great read and a great story about an exceptionnal and unexpected great warrior and politician. I warmly recommend it.
23 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book has become my bible.
At first I didn't like it very much, the writing style didn't seem clumsy compared to other authors I enjoy (Iain Banks, etc), thats a result no doubt, of it having been translated, I can't imagine a translation ever comparing to the work in its original language.
The book describes the story of Hideyoshi, one of the three men that led to the unification of feudal Japan, from peasant boy, to farmer. Every chapter Hideyoshi faces a test of his character, and by his willingness to learn, his intelligence, and his resolve he manages to get the job done, maintain his honour (not an easy thing in feudal Japan), and maintain the good favour of his lord (not easy when that lord is Nobunaga).
What I found inspiring about this book is the way that Hideyoshi devotes himself entirely to every task, and the way he manages to approach the world in a fresh way, without getting disappointed. He is an amazing character. After reading this book I think the Western world accepts too little from its heroes!
Whats great as well is not the just the stories, but the way Yoshikawa presents them. On every page he uses almost throw away lines, in one chapter he asks; "In the end, isn't wisdom without strategy foolishness?", that just make you stop and gape at their profoundness, the way that they completely sum up the situation.
Hideyoshi pretty much sums up what Yoshikawa deems good in a character, even down to a touch of ruthlessness, so he might not be considered good in every sense. I think because Yoshikawa wanted to present a character with all the "right" traits, this book might not be the best historical account available, but I'll easily forgive Yoshikawa that, and more!
At first I didn't like it very much, the writing style didn't seem clumsy compared to other authors I enjoy (Iain Banks, etc), thats a result no doubt, of it having been translated, I can't imagine a translation ever comparing to the work in its original language.
The book describes the story of Hideyoshi, one of the three men that led to the unification of feudal Japan, from peasant boy, to farmer. Every chapter Hideyoshi faces a test of his character, and by his willingness to learn, his intelligence, and his resolve he manages to get the job done, maintain his honour (not an easy thing in feudal Japan), and maintain the good favour of his lord (not easy when that lord is Nobunaga).
What I found inspiring about this book is the way that Hideyoshi devotes himself entirely to every task, and the way he manages to approach the world in a fresh way, without getting disappointed. He is an amazing character. After reading this book I think the Western world accepts too little from its heroes!
Whats great as well is not the just the stories, but the way Yoshikawa presents them. On every page he uses almost throw away lines, in one chapter he asks; "In the end, isn't wisdom without strategy foolishness?", that just make you stop and gape at their profoundness, the way that they completely sum up the situation.
Hideyoshi pretty much sums up what Yoshikawa deems good in a character, even down to a touch of ruthlessness, so he might not be considered good in every sense. I think because Yoshikawa wanted to present a character with all the "right" traits, this book might not be the best historical account available, but I'll easily forgive Yoshikawa that, and more!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Taiko
The book brings alive the Sengoku period (the Warring Clans) in Japanese history. It takes you through the rise of Oda Nobonaga and Hideyoshi and the battles they fought to subdue... Read more
Published 3 months ago by zkarimjee@talk21.com
Great -If you have time and a good head for names
I entered into this book with the understanding that yes it is a huge book, 940 pages. A book of that size therefore needs to have a fast-paced feel to it or the reader will never... Read more
Published 19 months ago by H. Konishi
Amazing story
This is a great book that covers the medieval times in Japan, a time of instability and civil war. It is specially enriching for non-Japanese to compare medieval times in their... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by J. H. Duarte
Taiko a must for students of Sun Tzu
An extraordinary account of the Japanese break through into a new era for both the country and it's military caste. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2010 by Denzler von Botha Albert
`A great man is not made simply by innate ability.'
Towards the middle of the 16th century the Ashikaga shogunate crumbled. As a consequence Japan came to resemble a huge battlefield as rival warlords vied for dominance. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2010 by J. Cameron-Smith
Absolutly Brilliant
This book is a solid piece of historical information on the feudal Japan of 17 century. After reading it the movies by Akira Kurosawa make much more sense. Read more
Published on 17 July 2009 by Jamrock
Disappointing read...
I love historical novels, and I loved Shogun...and bought this hoping for more of the same. I have to say it disappointed me. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2007 by dli
A jolly good read
My early favourite was Shogun and now this action packed adventure story puts that in context.
An excellent adventure written as if you were actually there living the story. Read more
An excellent adventure written as if you were actually there living the story. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2004
Ultimate Samurai read
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan you should already own it. This book although a fantastic read has it's main benefit in giving you the insight as to what it was like to... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2004 by "rshuck"
A fast paced old fashioned samurai drama
As shown by Musashi and this book one can see why the late Yoshikawa Eiji was one of the best loved writers in Japan. Read more
Published on 30 April 1998
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