Customer Reviews

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (The Samurai Mysteries)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn is a richly woven tapestry of fact and fiction set in 14th century Japan. It is not a King kind of scary for which I was grateful.

The plot and characters were believable. I learned some things I didn't know about Japanese culture of that era and liked the factual underpinnings. The morals of the story are just as true today as in that century.

I think this book has a broader appeal than the 9-12year old audience it targets. It's a quick read that even the busiest person should fit into their summer schedule. It's a book even mothers can love.

The book is aimed at the 9-12 age group but this 58-year-old enjoyed it enormously. I guarantee the target age group will enjoy it even more. Western culture seems bent on dumbing down. Here is a story about Asian culture that treats its intended readership with respect. And it's not just a gripping mystery story: tough, adult, concepts are introduced, but finely adjusted to maturing sensibilities. The samurai ethic is key to this story but the reader is left to make his or her own evaluation of that ethic. And then, there is the wealth of Japanese culture that is interwoven in the adventure story in a most alluring way: swords, the tea ceremony, the Edo era division of society into rigid social groupings, the Tokaido Road and its checkpoints, kabuki drama...and... who was it said "The play's the thing!"? A highly satisfying, thoroughly intelligent book for the young of all ages.

The Ghost of the Tokaido Inn tells a fascinating tale of SamuriJapan. Seikei, a merchant's son, has always wished to be a Samuri.But one must be born a Samuri, not a tea merchant. While spending the night at the Tokaido inn, Seikei encounters what he thinks to be an evil spirit, but turns out to be a theif who is robbing a valuable ruby from a dishonorable samuri. Judge Ooka, a real historical figure who was known as the Sherlock Holmes of Japan,impressed by Seikei's courage and bravery when defending a wrongfully accused thief of the ruby, employs Sekei's help in catching the real thief. He joins a travelling Kabuki theatre group, which comes complete with Tomonio, a young man who appears to be an illegal Krishtian, or Christian. All the scheming and plotting of Tominio and Judge Ooka come down to one night, the night the Kabuki group will perform for the Shogun and the samuri from whom the ruby was stolen. All questions will be answered and secrets will be revealed-but who is the villian and who the samuri?

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn is an excellent book. I think Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler wrote a very good book. I think they are good authors.
The book is about a 14 year old boy named Seiki. He dreams of being one of the legedary warriors, but a samurai is born and not made and Seiki is a tea merchant's son. Then a priceless ruby planned for the shogun is stolen and Seiki finds himself having to display all the courage of a samurai. He is the person to have seen the thief, and now the famous samurai magistrate, Judge Ooka, needs Seiki;s help to solve the mystery.
I liked that the book started in an interesting way. THe book contains a lot of action because there is always action taking place in every chapter. Seiki shows lots of courage in the book because he thinks that he's a samurai and a samurai needs to be brave. The ending surprised me because Seiki got what he wanted.
I think the authir's message was that if you want something you have to work hard at it. When Seiki wanted to be a samurai he worked on trying to be a samurai and at the end of the book Seiki got to be a samuai.

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler
This is a great story about the brave, fourteen year old Seikei who's father is a tea merchant. I loved the mystery of this tale. There was something new behind each page. Seikei desperately wants to be a samurai, but he knows that he cannot for samurai are born not made. Seikei still gets his chance to go on a mission like a samurai when he and his father stay at an inn where a precious jewel has been stolen. Seikei witnesses the crime being committed by a ghost. So Judge Ooka and Seikei follow the criminal in a tale of bravery, honor, adventure, mystery, and revenge.

The Ghost In The Tokaido Inn is a wonderful story that combines elements of mystery and Japanese history for an enthralling reading experience. Seikei, a merchant's son, wants to be a samurai but can't because of cultural rules. When he encounters a mystery of a stolen ruby in the Tokaido Inn, he is taken on a journey by the judge for the case, and given opportunities to practice being a samurai. The twists and turns of the story show clearly 18th century Japan, picturing all the richness and detail of a complex society. The surprise ending leaves the reader in suspense all the way through. Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler do a superb job in creating a story that catches the reader's attention and gives historical information in a fun way.

THE GHOST OF TOKIADO INN BY: DORATHY AND TOMAS HOOBLER

Do you like a book with frightening thought that leave chills up you're spine after reading it? Do you like Japanese story books with samurai action? This book will remind you of a Halloween tale that you will be eager to tell friends about!!! This book is called, THE GHOST OF TOKIADO INN. The title is really scary! It pictures a sword carrying ghost on the cover screaming savagely!

This action packed book is about a boy named SEIKEI that wants to become a samurai. He is a rich boy but he still can't become a samurai. People say it is clearly impossible for SEIKEI to become a samurai even though he has a sword. Trouble awaits SEIKEI; does he have what it takes to become a samurai and to show that he is a true warrior and not just an ordinary boy? Find out as you read the book!

I recommend this book because it is full of suspense. The author puts pressure on you at scary parts but nothing happens! The author also creates scenes in which you can cut the tension with a knife.

Without a doubt, it you read this book you will experience a fully action loaded book! If you're a Japanese book lover then this is the book for you!

I was very impressed with Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler's knowledge of Japanese history and culture. As a World History, I found this book was a thrill for my students to read. They were hooked on the story, but also learned a great deal about Japanese society and the samurai traditions. I would recommend this book for any teacher trying to explain different cultures and traditions to their students

The story is about a 14 year old boy named Seikai who is the son of a tea merchant. He dreams and longs to become a samurai so that he can carry and use a sword as well as write poetry. He and his father stop at an inn where at night there is a robbery from a lord that was staying there. Seikai saw the theif and so he must go on a journey with the judge of the court to find the theif who stole the precious jewel.It just happens that the theif is an actor who travels from place to place. So, Seikai finds them and to gain his trust, he becomes an actor. One day the shogun wanted to see a play,and teh lord who the jewel was stolen from also attends this play. So Seikai and the actors put on a play, which is actually the theif's life and the reason of why he stole the jewel. The Lord reconizes it, and then the theif disgraces the lord by mocking him andslashing at him, then the theif gets killed by the shogun's men.
I liked this book because it's very mysterious and has a lot of family baggage. Foe example, the theif had famiy baggage against the lord and he had said, "I swear I will see you disgraced," when he was wounded by the lord.
I disliked the book because it sort of had some parts where women were putting them selves in a low-class level which was truly disgusting, "He's gone to the pleasure houses, where women are trained from birth to please men."
My favorit part of teh book was when they were giving teh play at the lord's house. Iknew something big was going to happen in any second and was very anxious for it to happen, and when it did I was truly satisfied.

I read this book a long time ago and I loved it. Its very interesting and includes all kinds of Japanese cultural references. It keeps you wondering whats going to happen next.