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The Tale of Shikanoko; Exquisite Fantasy plus links to The Tales of the Heike
Topic Started: Jan 23 2017, 09:12 AM (304 Views)
Hosokawa Gracia
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Sandal Bearer
I have been drawn to so many of Lian Hearn’s characters. Just when I thought I had met all of them in Book 2 of The Tale of Shikanoko she kept inserting new characters that pulled at my heart in Book 3 and 4. Such favorites are Hina (Yayoi), Shikanoko, the Autumn Princess, Yoshimori, Gen, Mu, Kinpoge, and Tadashi.

Instead of revealing the plot to readers, I will introduce courageous Hina, who loves Shikanoko. She was full of grief at the death of her father, Lord Kiyomori, but she had a gift of discernment so she knew what to do to escape her father’s enemies and save baby Yoshimori, who was meant to be Emperor. When her family’s enemies came closer, she began to jump in a boat with the baby in one arm and a magical book in the other. Her heroics remind Japanese history buffs of an amazing story in the medieval classic, Tales of the Heike, which includes a chapter on how an eight-year-old emperor drowned while his grandmother Tokiko held on to him with one hand and the sacred imperial jewel in her other hand.

Were Hina and Yoshimori saved? What will happen to the very individualist underdog Shikanoko when he loses his strength and hope? All four books are highly recommended.

Carmen Sterba
Asian Culture Enthusiast

Kamakura Mirror Micropoetry

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Hiryuken
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Rice Farmer
Agreed. The Shikanoko series has been just superb! I was sorry when it was over I was enjoying it so much.
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