3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ronin mystery, December 5, 2005
This review is from: The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils (Paperback)
Sixteenth-century Japan was a complex place -- lords fought for dominance, ronin (masterless) samurai wandered from place to place, and the Portuguese were making inroads. And Lensey Namioka takes full advantage of all that in "The Samurai and the Long Nosed Devils," a clever murder mystery.
Times have been lean for ronin Zenta and Matsuzo, when they arrive at Miyako (now Kyoto), intending to join Lord Nobunaga's forces. But after a street altercation, an old pal of Zenta's sets them up as bodyguards for a pair of Portuguese: kindly priest Father Luis, and gun-toting soldier Pedro. And it seems that the two of them need bodyguards badly.
Matsuzo and Zenta try to acquaint themselves with the oddities of the Portuguese, as Pedro does his best to do the same. But the two ronin find themselves in a tough situation when hostile Lord Fujikawa is found dead -- shot by a gun, which only the Portuguese soldier has. Knowing that Pedro is innocent, Zenta must uncover the true murderer -- and the political conspiracy around them.
Originally published in the mid 70s, the first book of Namioka's Samurai series is a solid murder mystery that doesn't pander, doesn't stereotype, and doesn't underestimate its young adult readers. While it's a bit obvious who the murderer is -- though not necessarily why -- this is still an intriguing, engaging mystery.
Namioka has an excellent sense for details and the historical setting of the time, especially the clash between real feudal warlords, and the Hiei monks' immense power. With them around, it's hardly startling that Nobunaga prefers the mild, pleasant Father Luis. And she deftly avoids the usual politically correct traps; while the Japanese and Portuguese are very different in small ways (like cuisine and clothing), neither is bad or intolerant, except by personal choice. Zenta and Pedro even become friends, out of mutual respect as fellow warriors.
And it's that depth of characterization that makes Namioka's characters so likeable, especially Zenta and Matsuzo. These aren't stereotypical samurai: Older ronin Zenta is fiercely independent and clear-headed, while his sidekick Matsuzo is younger, more naive, and a bit too romantic for his own good. They balance each other out well.
Historical conflicts and two very different warriors make "The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils" an intriguing mystery read. And fortunately, it was also not the last of Namioka's samurai stories.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Mystery!, April 18, 2001
By A Customer
As an American of Japanese descent, I loved this book because Namioka portrays two ronin samurai as intelligent, humorous characters with whom anyone can identify. Forget stereotypes. The two out-of-work samurai, Zenta and Matsuzo, plunge into a plot that twists and turns and keeps you coming back for more... Thank goodness, Namioka was a proliferate writer and there are two more books about these two. In the course of unraveling a fine mystery, the reader learns about the how's and why's of the costumes, swordsmanship and manners of feudal Japan (these turn into clues); rather than alienate the reader from this culture, the plot draws one into it and you understand it personally. A great way to slip history and respect for other cultures into your child's library. But it also stands on its own as a mystery because of Namioka's vervacious style. Superb.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of the series, January 19, 2011
This review is from: The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils (Paperback)
This is the best in a really good series. When culture meets culture interesting things happen, and Lensey Namioka shows this. Entertaining, yet insightful-a must read for all lovers of historical fiction
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