Book Review: Shogun- James Clavell
Nov. 8th, 2024 07:33 amI know I mentioned, way back when I reviewed Arthur Golden’s “Memoirs of a Geisha,” that prior to reading, I had very little knowledge about that aspect of Japanese culture. When it came to Japanese early modern history, the same thing happened with James Clavell’s “Shogun.” I had kind of known that samurai were important and had a vague idea what a Shogun actually was, but that was about it. Post-Shogun, while I can’t claim to be an expert on that era of Japanese history, I do know a significant amount more than I did going in.
Japan during this time is feudal, and is in a perilous condition. There are internal dynastic problems, but most of all, is the coming of westerners into the very (very) inward looking Japan. The story is told from the point of view of John Blackthorne, a sailor on the first English ship to ever land in Japan (so far, it’s only the Portuguese who have had contact). Blackthorne ends up being shipwrecked, taken prisoner and eventually gets tangled up in a bid for power for the position of Shogun, the warrior/military ruler who controlled Japan. The way that Blackthorne gets involved in this struggle is far too varied, complicated and would take far too much space to explain here. Suffice to say, they make for an interesting plot.
It is the look into feudal Japanese culture that is the major interest in “Shogun.” There are so many aspects of Japanese culture that are explained- societal, political, cultural and economics- and does so in great detail. This book shows the complicated power structure in Japan, the samurai way of life and even important cultural niceties, such as the tea ceremony. The most interesting part is that it’s (for the most part) told from Blackthrone’s perspective. Like the reader, he’s a foreigner being introduced to these things for the first time.
A second aspect that of the book that is absolutely fascinating is the social struggle that takes place between the traditional Japanese ways versus the new western ideas being brought in. This struggle shows in many ways, including the attempts of the Jesuit priests to establish Catholicism in a land that has been dominated by Shinto and Buddhism for centuries. The best way that the general tradition versus new is shown in the relationship that develops between Blackthorne and Lady Mariko, a highborn Japanese samurai Lady (a relationship that any romance fan will completely enjoy).
“Shogun” is long and dense, and it took even me a fair amount of time to read. The sheer amount of history and culture and Clavell manages to pack into this book, not to mention the intrigue and extremely well written characters, made all the time spent reading it time well spent.
Japan during this time is feudal, and is in a perilous condition. There are internal dynastic problems, but most of all, is the coming of westerners into the very (very) inward looking Japan. The story is told from the point of view of John Blackthorne, a sailor on the first English ship to ever land in Japan (so far, it’s only the Portuguese who have had contact). Blackthorne ends up being shipwrecked, taken prisoner and eventually gets tangled up in a bid for power for the position of Shogun, the warrior/military ruler who controlled Japan. The way that Blackthorne gets involved in this struggle is far too varied, complicated and would take far too much space to explain here. Suffice to say, they make for an interesting plot.
It is the look into feudal Japanese culture that is the major interest in “Shogun.” There are so many aspects of Japanese culture that are explained- societal, political, cultural and economics- and does so in great detail. This book shows the complicated power structure in Japan, the samurai way of life and even important cultural niceties, such as the tea ceremony. The most interesting part is that it’s (for the most part) told from Blackthrone’s perspective. Like the reader, he’s a foreigner being introduced to these things for the first time.
A second aspect that of the book that is absolutely fascinating is the social struggle that takes place between the traditional Japanese ways versus the new western ideas being brought in. This struggle shows in many ways, including the attempts of the Jesuit priests to establish Catholicism in a land that has been dominated by Shinto and Buddhism for centuries. The best way that the general tradition versus new is shown in the relationship that develops between Blackthorne and Lady Mariko, a highborn Japanese samurai Lady (a relationship that any romance fan will completely enjoy).
“Shogun” is long and dense, and it took even me a fair amount of time to read. The sheer amount of history and culture and Clavell manages to pack into this book, not to mention the intrigue and extremely well written characters, made all the time spent reading it time well spent.