Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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Entertaining but the main character is annoying, 31 Jan 1999
By A Customer
The book has a fun and interesting setting -- contrasting new & old Japan -- as well as some well-written characterizations. However -- as a Japanese-American who has traveled throughout Japan -- I found Ken Tanaka's obtuseness about the Japanese irritating and somewhat unbelievable. Early on, Tanaka claims to have had a "lifelong" interest in Japanese culture -- well, perhaps, though we are told few specifics. He thens proceeds to address everyone he meets in Japan in English and seems surprised that they can't understand him. Worse, he then disses them (at least to himself) for assuming he speaks Japanese. Does the fact that he's in Japan, where Japanese IS the primary language, ever cross his mind? Not really. Does it occur to him that learning a bit of Japanese might help him communicate? Apparently not. Okay, he is three generations removed from Japan, but STILL -- what kind of idiot travels the world expecting everyone to speak English fluently?On the plus side, Junko, the Korean-Japanese producer, is well-rounded and used to illuminate some of the contradictions of modern Japan. I have not read "Death in Little Tokyo" but feel I should in order to fill in some gaps in "Toyotomi Blades". His Japanese-American girlfriend, Mariko, for example -- is it her first trip to Japan? What part of Japan is her family from? Some of the things that would naturally come up when Japanese-Americans visit Japan are oddly missing from this story.
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Fun, but no Thriller Diller!, 3 Jan 1999
By A Customer
Ken Tanaka is getting his shot at fame in 'Big' Tokyo this time around, thanks to his girlfriends' promotion of his first adventure. The book starts out great, but quickly hits a slow patch. Deadly ninjas, the Japanese Yakuza (Mafia), royal intrigue, ancient swords, the new Japan, and the mystery of buried treasure, et al, somehow adds up to merely a pleasant read. Although it was nice visiting Japan with Ken and friends, the writing could have been sharper. members.aol.com/raywking
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A brilliant writer creates a divine reading experience, 26 Aug 1997
By A Customer
Amateur sleuth Ken Tamaka has been invited to appear on Japanese
television for helping solve the murder of businessman Mr. Matsuda
(delightfully described in DEATH IN LITTLE TOKYO). As the great American
detective (who cares that it was his first and only case), Ken quickly
accepts the all expense paid trip to the land of his ancestors. While there
he plans to research a seventeenth century sword he now possesses. To Ken,
Japan is a revelation. He realizes that though he does not have the visage
of the foreigner, he clearly has the mentality of a visiting westerner.
His stay in Japan should have been a simple mixing of a vacation and
the TV appearance on the News Pop show. However, pretty soon Ken finds
himself in a life and death struggle with Japanese thugs who want the
sword. If he does not learn why and who is behind his suddenly dangerous
vacation, Ken may find himself joining his honorable ancestors sooner than
he would prefer.
Let's cut to the chase, THE TOYOTOMI BLADES is absolutely great. Ken
is a fabulous character and the story line is quite intriguing. However,
it is Dale Furutani's homage to Japanese culture (both modern and
historical) that turns this mystery novel into a must read. This reviewer
gives its strongest recommendation to both of the Tamaka tales. They are
among the best books of its' kind written today.
Harriet Klausner
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