Arrigatto Anjin San. Review on Shogun - James Clavell

If I could use words,

My Poems would make

SHOGUN – James Clavell (first published 1975, Howard & Saughton)

Shogun’s real appeal to the reader is it’s depiction of the the cross cultural clash of different ideologies & most revealing view on differences that existed and to a certain extent still exists between the EAST & WEST.

It’s a major step forward in understanding the Japanese outlook to life. Clavell’s writing is different as compared to others - in that he portrays through words striking image patterns and builds a whole world in your imagination transporting you back to the seventeenth century feudal Japan making you live in a historic moment when Japan is in the process of becoming one nation state.

The author’s genius lies in the fact that instead of using dialogue he takes his readers into the inner thoughts and mind processes of his characters all seemingly Human with human failings and desires, of ego & greed, of Fate & Destiny. Making the readers identify with his varied characters, who are distanced by both time and culture but seem as real as life itself. This makes SHOGUN a definitive work and demands respect.

The saga is all told through the eyes of James Blackthorne, an Englishman who while Piloting a Dutch Merchantman trying to find a way to the riches the Orient has to offer, finds himself on the shores of IZU, Japan in the year 1600 and thus comes face to face with the landscapes of feudal JAPAN.

Only to find himself used as a tool in a power struggle between the 5 regents of Japan for the SHOGUNATE in the aftermath of the death of the TAIKO (Dictator) and the coming of age of his son and heir.

The vivid imagery the authors transports his readers to the land of the Land of the rising sun & it’s society where the SUPREME RULER – THE EMPORER (by lineage of 110 generations) is the figure head of the country and the royal family but devotes himself to the pursuit of knowledge, language, art and poetry leaving all the military and trading decisions on the TAIKO or following him THE COUNCIL of REGENTS (5 warlords who rule their own territory.

Under each regent are the various Daimyo’s who rule the provinces and the commoners followed by the ETA’s (the untouchables – as they eat Meat). Each warlord commands armies of SAMURAI warriors walked the streets living by the Samurai code of HONOUR AND DUTY to one’s master or liege above everything else.

Apart from Blackthorne the central characters in the novel are

Lord Toranaga, a warlord and one of the 5 regents of Japan, who wants to avoid civil war but is being forced into one and who uses every tool and person in his power to delay the inevitable war, all the while making clandestine alliances and preparations and constantly refuses to be drawn into open conflict against the remaining 4 regents.

Lady Mariko his daughter – in- law & close confidante, who is a Christian converted by the Jesuits and knows Latin and Portuguese & is the only Japanese trusted by Toranaga to translate on behalf of the Anjin San (Anjin is the Japanese word for Pilot & thus bestowed on Blackthorne).

Other important characters are Lord Yabu(a scheming power hungry Damiyo of the Kasigi Clan in whose fief Blackthorne’s ship flounders, Omi San (Lord Yabu’s confidant), Lord Ishido (the main opponent of Toranaga). Yaemon (the heir apparent) & his mother.

Blackthorne gains the favor of TORANAGA by saving his life twice and in return is given the honor to be called a SAMURAI with his own fief and later a HATAMOTO (a trusted advisor), and telling him about the world politics and weapons of war.

In return he wants to gain trading rights for English ships and thus end Portuguese exclusivity. He also wants to help modernize Japan’s Navy by introducing Gun Ships with cannons and helps with the training of a regiment of Japanese Warriors with pistols and guns a far cry from the Samurai Sword thus giving Toranaga an edge over his enemies in the coming war.

Blackthorne initially views the Japanese as Barbarians but slowly and steadily as he learns more and more through LADY MARIKO (initially his translator & then his lover and soul mate) about the Japanese way he starts to view them as equals and then superiors to westerners as far as ART, CLEANLINESS, CULTURE, SEX, BATHING and SOCIAL structure is concerned to the Western views on the subjects prevalent at those times.

Through the book one notices the gradual transformation of Blackthorne from a westerner into the Anjin San with fading memories of his homeland and who is slowly but surely being taught and guided to think, act, behave as a cultured JAPANESE SAMURAI destined by his liege lord Toranaga never to return to his homeland.

Interwoven among this power struggle is the moving love story of Anjin San & Lady Mariko, who dies later on, the author makes the reader feel the loss and one is literally sobbing on the tragic end when Mariko dies while resisting the Ninja’s who aim to take her prisoner unarmed and thus denying her a honorable death by not permitting her to commit SEPAKKU (ritual suicide).

Toranaga in the end reveals the underlying theme of the Japanese way of thinking which is about a person’s KARMA and PRE DESTINY!! Each person has his/ her own life, which is pre –ordained.

The importance of HONOR & DUTY and above all FACE (respect).

Intensive planning before making a move because it’s a bigger sin to plan and then not succeed thus losing FACE!!

Thus through medieval Japan the author makes a powerful statement, which is still relevant in modern times and comes up trumps in all aspects.

PS: James Clavell was held as a POW by the the Japanese at the notorious CHANGI prison where 4/5ths of the POW’s died. Thus it makes SHOGUN even more remarkable coming from the fair mindedness of the author and tries in a way to come to terms with his past by exploring Japan’s past.

What is Life but an escape from Death

The book has been made into a 12 hour minisiries, a movie and a braodway musical.