if you are inherently disgusted by a relationship between a 15 year old and a 45 year old EVEN IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT, i can completely understand and respect that, but i have no idea why you would read the *entire* book and leave bad reviews like "i was tricked into reading this book!"...just say "i got to page xyz and was surprised by an unacceptable age-gap relationship and had to close it! heads up!" you're allowed to close a book, my guy!
that said, this is: a great translation, a great (but of course *extremely* dramatized) glimpse into a facet of edo society that most history books since 1868 have tried to gloss over, a great read, and occasionally, a great comedy (intentional and not).
example:
in one story, two beautiful samurai obtain a nightingale from a reclusive bird-hoarding ronin; they later return to his house and declare their love, and demand that he love both of them back. he refuses. they throw off their kimonos to reveal they tattooed his name on themselves (family name on one, given name on the other). his reaction is, understandably, "wtf lol". the samurai are sad and try to stab themselves. the ronin recants. he bites off the last joint on each pinky finger (!!) and gives one to each samurai. then they began their lovely threesome relationship in the bird house, probably for the rest of their lives.
all of the stories are pretty bite-sized (uh, no pun intended), but because of dramatized and lionized self-mutilation and/or suicide (also an understandably touchy point) and some stories with abuse, i rated it as "some violence".
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In a deeply emotional novel of family, cultural heritage, and forgiveness, estranged sisters wrestle with the choices they’ve made and confront circumstances beyond their control. | Learn more
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Top reviews from other countries
Noah Richardson
So fascinating. Intro by Schalow is really really interesting.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 25, 2020Peter Patrick
... a must read for those interested ...
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 14, 2014
