Customer Reviews

Sensei

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book many years ago and lent it to a friend who I have lost contact with. The book was excellent and inspired me to pursue the ideals and history and culture of Japan. If you can find a copy, it is a must read. I one day hope to read it again.

This is one of my top five reads, alongside Lord of Darkness and Shogun. Charney wraps a compelling story around a foppish young man and turns him into a warrior, rogue, teacher, and legend. I definitely recommend this book for any adventure lovers' shelf.

I was searching for a book with fast paced action, adventure, and heck, maybe a little romance for flavor, and I camr upon sensei. The story of rising from the weak and the transformation Yoshi made is enthralling....END

SENSI AND SENSI 2 WOULD HAVE TO BE THE BEST TWO BOOKS THAT WE HAVE EVER READ. IT HAS AN AMAZING STORY THAT YOU JUST WANT MORE OF. ONLY WISH THAT HE WOULD WRITE MORE BOOKS BUT CAN NOT FIND ANY REFERENCE TO OTHER BOOKS THAT HE HAS WRITTEN

This book and it's sequel are my favourite in the Feudal Japan setting.
Rare books on the subject that aren't in the 16th century, but rather the 12th during the Heian period and the Genpei war between the Minamoto and Taira.
I can reread them again and again as the years go by, I've had them for probably close to 23-25 years now.
These books gave me a deeper appreciation for the period and started me studying Feudal Japan in a lot more detail.
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan or this period in specific I can't recommend them enough.
The books follow a young man, Tadamori Yoshi, who is initiallhy a loyal supporter of the Taira and Imperial court, but through a series of adversities and challenges ends up fighting on the side of the Minamoto during the Genpei war, after learning some humility from his early courtier days and becoming a master sword instructor. The initial battles from Uji through to Kiso (Minamoto) Yoshinaka and Tomoe Gozen taking the Imperial Capital are covered within the books. Lots of politics, war and tastefully done romance. The books offer a good look at many aspects and social classes of the time, from the highest levels in the Imperial capital to the lowest labourers and performers and the Sohei (warrior monks) of the period.
If you have the chance to find these books, do. You won't regret it.

I almost put this book down a couple of times but I'm glad I stuck it out. Charney has for the most part done his homework concerning ancient japan and his weak fop-becoming-hero story has a real edgar rice burroughs feel to it which I loved.
If only more attention could have been paid to certain details which, if corrected, would have vastly improved the tale; such as having his samurai "strapping" on their swords and soaping up in the ofuro bath (The soaping and rinsing is done before entering the tub to soak). His choices for some of his characters names- ie: Masaka (absurd, impossible), Lord Chikara (strength), Obaasen (Obasan? old woman) seem to have been made up assuming that the reader wouldn't know the difference. In the 1980s when this was written such things might have flown but Japanese culture and history since then have had greater exposure. Still..I enjoyed the book.