His Name is Junsaku


Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
376 Pages
Reviewed on 03/17/2025
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

His Name is Junsaku by Tenkara Smart is an absolutely riveting tale set in 17th-century Japan; a land of Samurai warriors, bloody territorial battles, and the all-powerful Shogunate. Junsaku Aoyama knew from a very early age that he was destined to be not only a great warrior but the greatest living Samurai in Japan. He trained relentlessly to ensure he was always at the top of his classes and would be chosen to join the local lord’s elite guard. When he was personally selected by the ruling Shogun to be part of the Shogunate Samurai guard, he was already near his destiny. The arrival in the Port of Edo (modern Tokyo) of a beautiful young European woman, the daughter of a Dutch trader, would be the defining moment in Junsaku’s life. From that day forward he would have to make decisions about his priorities; the Shogun or his family. 

Every so often a book reminds me why literature is so important to me. His Name is Junsaku is such a novel; one that truly resonated with me and has what I look for in a story. Tenkara Smart has seamlessly combined the traditions, mysticism, and supernatural forces of Japanese 17th-century society into a thrilling adventure with an understanding of the period and a glimpse into the Japanese culture and psyche. There is plenty of action and battles to keep the most adrenaline-hooked reader satisfied but those moments are interspersed with wonderful descriptions of a loving father, a dedicated husband, and a conventional happy family life. The idea of a Samurai, especially a General of the Shogunate, marrying a gaijin (a foreigner) was so unheard of that it would have been downright scandalous. Yet, it was only Junsaku’s position and importance to the Shogun that could have allowed this to happen. I particularly appreciated the supernatural elements, which gave an extra mysterious edge. The overarching message of Junsaku’s life is just as relevant and important to note as it was some 400 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story and highly recommend it.

Nino Lobiladze

Junsaku Aoyama's dream is to become the best samurai in Japan. He trains hard, hoping to serve the shogunate and its ruler. Junsaku proves his warrior skills in many battles with rebellious clans, and Shogun Fusakage promotes him to the rank of a general. Junsaku can read other people's auras and sees a mysterious ghost whose messages he struggles to understand. However, when Junsaku meets a Dutch merchant's beautiful daughter, Cecelia, he realizes their fates are interconnected. Fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and drama with a paranormal twist will enjoy His Name is Junsaku by Tenkara Smart.

Tenkara Smart's His Name is Junsaku reminds me of old legends. This bittersweet tale encourages us to determine our priorities in life and be wise while making important choices. My favorite part of the book describes the meeting of Junsaku and Cecelia, a foreigner in a country that captivates her imagination. Cecelia is an open-minded, loving, and brave young woman. Tenkara sets the novel in seventeenth-century Japan when women couldn't express themselves or follow their path freely. The author sympathetic explores the role of women and young girls in society and touches on other significant topics, such as acceptance of different cultures, and the meaning of freedom and belonging. Junsaku's inner vision turns him into a beguiling main character. Tenkara masterfully describes the battle and fight scenes and adds intriguing plot twists and turns that make readers' hearts race in anticipation of the outcome. I highly recommend this absorbing novel to those who believe in true love and soulmates.

K.C. Finn

His Name is Junsaku by Tenkara Smart is a historical story set in Japan during the 1600s where the main character, Junsaku Aoyama, is a samurai general who loyally serves the shogunate (Japan's military government). That is until his life changes dramatically when he meets a woman from a Dutch trading ship. As he gets to know her, he starts seeing ghost-like warnings about his future choices. Smart carefully researched the period to show exactly how people lived in feudal Japan, where strict social rules and ancient traditions were beginning to clash with new influences from foreign countries. The story mixes samurai culture, political scheming, and supernatural events to create an exciting tale about honor, fate, and what happens when different cultures meet. Smart helps readers understand an important time in Japanese history when the country was starting to change because of contact with the outside world.

Author Tenkara Smart shows incredible skill in bringing old Japan to life in a way that feels both historically accurate and emotionally real. I was completely drawn into 1600s Japanese society - everything from the sound of silk clothing to the rules of samurai fighting feels genuine and important to the story. The author adds ghost stories and supernatural elements in a way that makes the historical story more interesting. The writing shows how Japanese and Dutch people interacted during this time, giving a new understanding of how Japan started to change because of foreign influence. The main character, Junsaku, feels very real as he struggles between doing his duty and following his heart, showing us what it is like to be caught between traditional Japanese ways and new foreign ideas. Smart describes the political plots and social rules of the time so clearly that readers can easily understand this complex historical period. The author is especially good at showing how the arrival of Dutch traders started to change Japanese society and the realistic relationships between characters help readers understand what life was really like in this fascinating time. Overall, I highly recommend His Name is Junsaku to anyone who enjoys historical novels that combine careful research with exciting storytelling and help readers understand how different cultures affect each other.