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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.