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Sano Ichiro rides out into the streets of Edo at midnight in November 1694, with his chief retainer Hirata and 100 detectives. Warriors have been pouring into the city, awaiting news that the war to depose Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the ruler of Japan, had started. After almost 100 years of peace, the military class is bored, and two of Tokugawa's closest advisers are about to try to depose him. Chamberlain Yanagisawa, the Shogun's second in command, and Lord Matsudaira, the Shogun's cousin, each thinks he can rule Japan better than the Shogun. Sano breaks up the posturing between warriors loyal to Yanagisawa and Matsudaira and sends them all home. Sano stays loyal to his oath and refuses to join either faction. As Reiko, Sano's wife is tending his wounds, Hirata enters with the news that a servant of Senior Elder Makino Narisada, with a note from his master, is waiting to see Sano . Sano is surprised since Makino and Sano are long-time enemies, but out of courtesy, Sano agrees to see the servant, who hands him a note from Makino stating that if Sano was reading the note, the Makino was dead and would Sano please investigate the circumstances of his death. Even though they were enemies, Sano searches Makino's room, and finds stained bedding and the perfumed sleeve of a concubine in the cupboard holding extra clothing and bedding. Sano feels that this is enough proof that Makino did not die peacefully in his sleep as his wife alleges, and investigates. Despite pressures from outside., Sano maintains his loyalty to Tokugawa and Hirata to Sano. The Tokugawa regime in Japan lasted for a very long time (1603 -1868) and although the Tokugawa rulers were harsh men, they kept the peace in Japan for that period. The rigid class system in 17th century Japan put the warriors at the top of the hierarchy, but the only way to maintain one's honor and status, was to remain loyal to one's overlord. Sano understands this and his loyalty to Tokugawa cannot be questioned, even when opposing factions attempt to bribe him. That is why, when he finally figures out what happened to Makino, his results are accepted. Sano's loyalty to his Samurai oath and his superior, The Tokugawa, are honored, although he has had to fight for that recognition throughout the series. This is the ninth book and Rowland has set high standards for herself and her protagonist. We have become familiar with Sano and Edo. What will the tenth book bring? For a painless introduction to the social and political history of medieval Japan, read this series. You can't lose.
Reviewed by Barbara Franchi, April 2004
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