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Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan

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I had just read James Clavell's "Shogun", which was set shortly "after the Taiko's death". It contained little information about the Taiko (title of one absolute ruler of Japan), so when I saw this book, I took it in hopes of finding out more about him.

I was not disappointed. It's a huge epic chronicling the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the man who unified Japan with the vision of Oda Nobunaga (who tried to do so but was killed). This book succeeds at every angle - when it talks of military tactics, when it talks of historical inter-clan relationships, when it shows us Hideyoshi's innermost thoughts, and so on. It is all in one a history book, a book of military conquests, a love story, a story about honor - a true epic. Many of the characters, like the traitor Mitsuhide, made a deep, lasting impression on me. Everyone is fully fleshed out, their motives not only fully explained, but truly understandable, so you can actually empathize with some of them. Occasionally the narration is a bit dry, with over-emphasis on the vast quantity of names that everyone seems to have, but the people are so real and so captivating that you can easily read through all 944 pages in one sitting.

In the West we unfortunately know very little about the intricate history of the very unique and fascinating country that is Japan. Taiko is a fine slice of historical fiction, and should get some people interested in the above. Think nothing of the length - just start reading it, as the characters will pull you in after a very brief while.

This book is for those who have an interest in Japanese history, geopolitics, medieval strategy, and complex feudal relationships. For those fluent in asian historical and semi-historical literature, Taiko is best described as the Japanese analog of the Chinese epic Three Kingdoms. That is, it is a novelized, and in some areas, a speculative account of actual historical events.

Taiko (the english translation of which is an abridged version of the Japanese original) details the struggle to unify the numerous fragmented Japanese provinces during the late 16th Century. During this time, the militarily and politically impotent Ashikaga Shogunate was powerless to stop what were basically dozens of civil (clan) wars raging across Japan.

The country's many provinces were ruled by various daimyo (warlords) of competing clans. The most powerful of these clans harbored ambitions to put the whole of Japan under their banner. Among the leaders of these powerful clans were names that ring out like a who's who of Japanese history; men such as Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Imagawa Yoshimoto, Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin, and Mori Motonari.

However, these men could not unite the country on their own. They needed the help of talented retainers to lead their troops into battle, to formulate their grand strategy, and to administer their lands. Among the most talented of these retainers was also the man with the most humble of origins: Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi (given name) started off life as a poor peasant, ridiculed by the moniker "Monkey" by almost all who knew him. As a youth he worked several odd and menial jobs, but his dream was to be a samurai under the employ of a great lord. His opportunity came during a chance encounter with Oda Nobunaga, the daimyo of Owari, who hired him out of admiration for his audacity in directly asking for employment. Hideyoshi then rose in the ranks of the Oda clan from stable boy to kitchen hand to sandle bearer to retainer.

Through the years Hideyoshi earned Nobunaga's trust and rewards by displaying talent on and off the battlefield. By the time of Nobunaga's death (due to the treachery of Akechi Mitsuhide), Hideyoshi was one of the most powerful men in the Oda clan (if not the whole of Japan). He protected his late lord's heir, and continued Nobunaga's legacy by completing the unification of Japan, ultimately being awarded the title of Taiko (one absolute ruler of the nation).

To completely understand this book you must be prepared for the preponderance of Japanese names and places. Fortunately, each section has the leading players and locations briefly explained beforehand. Just remember that familial names come first and are the most important, for a samurai's family and clan defined his loyalty and being.

Overall, a great read.

If you are interested in other books based on Japanese feudal history try this list (which I have in chronological order): Tale of the Heike (rise and fall of the Taira clan during the Kamakura Shogunate, 13th C.); Taiko (16th C.); and Shogun (early 17th C.).

For computer/videogames of the era try: Kessen (PS2); Nobunaga's Ambition 2 (PC/NES), Shogun: Total War or Shogun: Total War, Warlord Edition (both PC), and the rare Cosmology of Kyoto (PC/MAC).

In the middle of the sixteenth century, Japan is sunk again in the turmoil of civil war, as the weak Ashikaga Shogunate is no longer able to keep the order. The most powerful clans are willing to take control over the country, reach the capital, Kyoto, and thus gain the favour of the Emperor: the Imagawa of Suruga, the Takeda of Kai, the Uesugi of Echigo and the Hojo of the Kanto.
Within this turbulent period, "Taiko" narrates the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, "Monkey", as he was called since he was a child; the man who, born in poverty in an ashigaru's family, would become the most powerful man in Japan, accomplishing the dream of unification of his master, Oda Nobunaga, lord of Owari and head of the Oda Clan. Together with Tokugawa Ieyasu, lord of Mikawa, they will complete step by step the process of unification which is only to end with the appointment of Tokugawa Ieyasu as Shogun by the Emperor in 1603 and the restoration of the Shogunate administration, the Bakufu.

"Taiko" is mainly a succession of epic feats, battles and military campaigns described indeed with the vividness of a Kurosawa film, but it is also a rich depiction of samurai's way of life, the Bushido, their sense of honour, their households, etiquette and ceremony, like the tea ceremony or the ritual suicide (seppuku).
This process of unification begins with the astounding defeat of Imagawa Yoshimoto on his way towards Kyoto by Oda Nobunaga in the battle of Okehazama (1560), to continue with the expansion of the Oda Clan through Central Japan, the defeat of the Saito and subsequent conquest of Mino; the defeat of the Asai of Omi and Asakura of Echizen in the battle of Anegawa (1570); the crush of the warrior monks and the destruction of its holy sanctuary of Mount Hiei; the beginning of the end of the House of Takeda after the battle of Nagashino (1575), until the campaign that Hideyoshi commanded against the powerful Mori Clan of the Western provinces in the early 1580s.

Hideyoshi died in 1598, two years before the famous battle of Sekigahara, upon which, his former ally, Tokugawa Ieyasu, won the Shogunate. However, already in 1585 Hideyoshy had been appointed Kampaku (Regent) by the Emperor, and Dajo-daijin (Chancellor) a year after. The appellation of Taiko is that used by a Regent on retiring from office.
"Taiko" is the very best novel of Japan's Sengoku, absorbing in its reading as if one was actually living in those feudal times.

The build up provided to the character of Hideyoshi keeps you riveted. Here's an ideal example of one man who plans his destiny & acheives his goals methodically. One looses the sense of time - a 17 year old Hideyoshi portrayed as a country bumpkin transforming into a fierce general - how & when he transforms & at which stage maturity piles up on this character is invisible to the reader. Yoshikawa had no choice but to enhance the personality of Hideyoshi to make it a winning story. And boy, has he done a remarkable job of that!! It's a pity though that the remaining years of the Taiko are not talked about. History reveals that Hideyoshi develops into a paranoid dictator - one who kills children & is extremely fearful of his & his clan's future. And how Iyeasu Tokugawa wins the support of the Taiko & bides his time to become the next shogun. All in all after reading this version - Hideyoshi is my outright favorite out of the trio of Nobunaga, Iyeasu & Hideyoshi.

Eiji Yoshikawa's epic historical novel "Taiko" tells the story of Toyotomi "Monkey" Hideyoshi; a man born from adversary destined to become one of the most influencial figures in the unification of Japan during the Wars of the Daimyos, along with his daimyo Oda Nobunaga and his ally Tokugawa Ieyasu (later to become the founder of the last Shogunate Dynasty). The book's colorful detail of a simple child born into poverty with the determination of becoming a samurai takes a bold step in retelling the classic 'rags to riches' story. His Lord, Oda Nobunaga appears to be a rash and brute individual, the complete opposite of Hideyoshi. However; this daimyo sees the genius that Hideyoshi displays and helps him to rise through the social levels, from foot soldier to the heir of Nobunaga's mission to unify Japan. This novel has something for everyone: romance, culture, drama, the pain of fighting allies, the bonds of friendship, honor, duty, and the very essence that defines the cultural example of Japanese ideology. Read "Taiko" and discover the lives of Japan's three unifying leaders and their journey to "make the bird sing." This book is worth every penny and deserves to be on every japanese historian's shelf, amateur or professional.

I loved it. I didn't think I would like it but my husband(who is a great fan of Japanese lit) always picked it up at every opportunity. I started to read it and I couldn't stop. Not really a good thing with a book with 900+ pages! The language the author used was wonderful. The translater did a wonderful job of keeping the spirit and intent of Yoshikawa intact. Reading this, I felt like I was right there with Hideyoshi as he met and then fought beside Nobunaga. My only disapointment was when the book ended. Like so many works from Japan, it seemed to just stop, leaving me hungary for more. Yoshikawa indeed did an excellent job of making a sometimes dry subject become completely alive. I originally purchased this for my husband for Christmas. I read it and it is one present I know he enjoyed over and over, every time he turned the page. If you are or know someone who likes to read about history or Japan, buy this book!

Eiji Yoshikawa spins an awesome tale of the three great warlords of medieval Japan. Each is portrayed in a vivid character study as they seek to unite the warring clans into a nation. For those with a love of Japanese history who wish to climb to the literary mountaintop of a 900+ page epic--look no further.

While his novel "Musashi" may be the more famous to Western audiences, I would put "Taiko" as my first recommendation. After reading it you'll feel like you know the hearts of Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu.

I honestly cannot add much to the comments that have been made before; this book is a great read.

Whether it is better than Yoshikawa's "Musashi", is difficult to say. I read "Musashi" first and did like it better, but that is just personal preference.

I think you should simply read both books, because they both shed a light on two different (philosophical) ways of leading your life: concentrating totally on yourself and in that way making the world a better place ("Musashi"); or dedicating your life to greater goals and to the well-being of as many people as possible ("Taiko").

Whenever I read a good book, it usually raises my interest in things related to the subject. In "Taiko", I did develop an interest for Oda Nobunaga. And for those of you who feel the same way and who want to find out more about the life of Nobunaga, I can wholeheartedly recommend the following book: Jeroen P. Lamers, "Japonius Tyrannus - The Japanese Warlord Oda Nobunaga Reconsidered", Hotei Publishing. Don't be put off by the relatively high price: it is worth every penny!

Though of more historical interest, I thought Yoshikawa scored much bigger with "Musashi" than with "Taiko". The same intricate prose style that lent a quiet depth to the adventures of the swordsman drags this tale of Hideyoshi's rise to power to a crawl. The plot of this novel is much slower, and certainly of less interest to those looking for a casual read, as well as those seeking a touch of sparse Japanese spiritualism. It's certainly not a bad book, and those coming for a spiced-up history lesson won't be disappointed. However, if you were looking for another tale of adventure and self-actualization, you won't find one to measure up to Musashi here.

Set in the last years of the Ashikaga Shoguns, "Taiko" tells of the rise and rise of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, through a couple of name changes and periods of service to the warlord Oda Nobunaga. The period was one of turmoil and uncertainty in Japan, and the book captures this remarkbaly well. Those familiar with the history of the period will no doubt recognise the famous names of people at that time.

The novel is arranged in a series of broad sections, each taking a step further in developing the narrative. Each section has a list of important new characters at the beginning, and this is helpful in noting who has entered the story and reminding the reader when characters have had an extended absence from it.

The translation seems less tight than that done for Yoshikawa's "Musashi". There are times when the narrative lacks some bite and impact. However, the story itself is high paced, and will keep the reader turning the pages at a frenetic speed. There are no real dry spells, which is excellent for a book of this length.

The maps supplied are very simple, and some of the places in the text are not shown. This is a small inconvenience for those who are unfamiliar with the geography of the time. However, this rarely impacts on the overall enjoyment of the story.

All in all, "Taiko" is a fantastic telling of a remarkable period in Japanese history. It is a great book and a solid read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and recommend this one to all, even if you have had no previous exposure to Japanese literature.