Heroic With Grace

Heroic With Grace – Legendary Women of Japan – edited by Chieko Irie Mulhern

Nonfiction

322 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: Yes

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

Illustrations: No

4 Stars

I bought this book primarily for the biography of Tomoe Gozen. I found the bios of the early women from Ancient Japan to be fascinating, but when I got into the bios of the more modern women, especially Hani Motoko, they did not hold my interest so much. Especially of Miss Hani Motoko. The author of that segment talked about what seemed like every educated woman during the Meiji period including the subject of her essay.

This book was published in 1991, and the later essays were written in the form of histories I so dislike – too many dates and dry facts, and not enough humanity.

If you are a student of Japan, this is a fascinating book, especially if you want to know how women were treated in ancient Japan. If you just want a fun read about some interesting women, well, I suggest Jessica Amanda Salmonson's trilogy about Tomoe Gozen that takes places in an alternate universe. A lot more fun. (Although the real Tomoe was pretty darned interesting in her own right!)

I gave it 4 stars because of the early essays.

Thousand Shrine Warrior - #3 of 3

Thousand Shrine Warrior: Third Novel in the Tomoe Gozen Saga –by Jessica Amanda Salmonson

Historical Fantasy

275 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: None

Illustrations: Yes, black and white ink drawings by Wendy Adrian Shultz

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

Rainy Day doesn't remember reading this third and last book in the series. She remembered the first two books, in fact she mentioned it was a bit like meeting up with her high school BFF and catching up on the gossip. But this story was entirely new to her. And a total page burner.

Rainy Day is both delighted she has finished this book – she can get back to her writing and household chores; and very saddened she has finished this book – she has said, "Goodbye" to her old friend, Tomoe Gozen.

The trilogy was called 'gloomy' by the author, and though it does have it's gloomy aspects, it truly was a good read. It is, after all, a Samurai tale. Lots of good sword fights, honorable vengeance fights, and the restoration of the Samurai's soul. A good read on the differences between Buddhists and followers of Shinto, at least in the fantasy land of Naipon.

Rainy Day highly recommends this trilogy to anyone who enjoys this sort of story. Well told, nicely executed, a heckuva fun romp. If you want an autographed copy of the trilogy, check out the last URL below. Rainy Day spent many years looking for the trilogy (Thousand Shrine Warrior had only one printing) and thought it well worth the cost to order from the author.

These URLs are also at the bottom of the review for Book #1

SamuraiWiki: http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Tomoe_Gozen

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoe_Gozen

Jessica Amanda Salmonson books from her personal stash (these come autographed): http://www.violetbooks.com/CATALOGS/catalogfrontpage.html

The Golden Naginata is once again wielded

The Golden Naginata: Second Novel in the Tomoe Gozen Saga –by Jessica Amanda Salmonson

Historical Fantasy

310 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: None

Illustrations: Yes, black and white ink drawings by Wendy Adrian Shultz

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

Rereading this series is, for Rainy Day, like meeting up with her high school Best Friend Forever and spending hours catching up on gossip. Great fun and a total delight.

Rainy Day mentioned in my earlier review of Tomoe Gozen, book #1, that there really was a Tomoe Gozen. However, Rainy D wanst to be clear, this story, though based on a real person from history, takes place in an alternate world where Nippon (Japan) is called Naipon, and magic exists.

Rainy Day has begun book #3, The Thousand Shrine Warrior, and finds it as captivating as the first two. Ms. Salmonson calls them 'gloomy' on her web site. In ways, Rainy Day must agree with her. However, the story is captivating, and fun, and different, and Rainy Day can hardly wait to finish #3.

These URLs are also at the bottom of the review for Book #1

SamuraiWiki: http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Tomoe_Gozen

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoe_Gozen

Jessica Amanda Salmonson books from her personal stash (these come autographed): http://www.violetbooks.com/CATALOGS/catalogfrontpage.html

Tomoe Gozen Rides Again - well on paper, anyhow

Tomoe Gozen: The First Novel in the Tomoe Gozen Saga –Jessica Amanda Salmonson

Historical Fantasy

257 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: None

Illustrations: Yes, black and white ink drawings

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

Rainy Day first read Tomoe Gozen many years ago, and through the many moves she made since, lost her copy of both it, and the second book of the trilogy, The Golden Naginata. She doesn't think she's ever read the third and final book, The Thousand Shrine Warrior. Using Google, she found a site for Jessica Amanda Salmonson, and ordered all three books. She is extremely happy to have them, all of them, once again in her possession!

Tomoe Gozen was as captivating this read through as Rainy Day remembered from years ago. This time, through the marvels of the www, Rainy Day did a bit of research, and there really was a Tomoe Gozen. According to Wikipedia, Tomoe Gozen was a "rare female samurai worror, known for her bravery and strength. She is believed to have fought and survived the Genpei War (1180-1185).

How much of the 'real' history is in this set of books Rainy Day has no idea-she's too busy reading; however, she does know through long ago conversations with Ms. Salmonson, that Ms. Salmonson has an intimate knowledge of Japanese and or Asian history, and in order to write a book about a hero, or heroine if you prefer, of Tomoe Gozen's fame and stature, Rainy Day is pretty sure a lot of research happened before the first words were typed.

If history and fantasy appeal to you, if you like swashbuckling type stories of samurai of old, and if you can find copies of the books, or get them electronically, Rainy Day thinks you will enjoy them. Rainy Day certainly enjoyed re-reading Tomoe Gozen, and is already into the Golden Naginata. She can hardly wait for the Thousand Shrine Warrior!

SamuraiWiki: http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Tomoe_Gozen

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoe_Gozen

Jessica Amanda Salmonson books from her personal stash (these come autographed): http://www.violetbooks.com/CATALOGS/catalogfrontpage.html