At last, I’ve finished reading this book, so now I think I’ll write something about it. After reread this post, I decided to divide this review into sections.
Why This book, and why write a review about it?
For all of you who didn’t know, first let me tell you that I am always fond of classical Japanese and Chinese literatures. But at this point, I’ve been only reading the Japanese one because not many of Chinese literature has been translated into English (Thats right, I prefer English translation to Indonesian translation). Even if there is, it will be a waste to buy one because my dad actually has tons of Chinese classic, but all in traditional Chinese character. So until I manage to learn the traditional Chinese characters, I’ll still spend most of my reading to Japanese literatures.
I write this review to share my knowledge about this particular book, to give an insight about what is written in it, and hopefully may influence more others to have interest in Japanese classics. Other than that, this post is also my chance to practice my writing skill and my English.
Background
Yoshikawa’s (Also the author of Musashi, and Taiko) Shin Heike Monogatari (The New Heike Story or known just as The Heike Story) is a re tale of the ancient Japanese history Heike Monogatari (The Tale Of The Heike). It is a part of Japanese history which took place in the Heian period at 11th-12th century, where the warrior class is still under suppression from the nobles and the aristocrats.
While the original literature consist of three section, Starting from the life of Taira No Kiyomori of the Heike, and the rise and death of Minamoto No Yoshitsune of the Genji. Shin Heike Monogatari is first written in 1951, and is not finished yet, but more than two third of this monumental work has been completed. It describes mostly about the rise of Heike under their chieftain Kiyomori, the power struggle between aristocrats and warriors clans, the ongoing change of Kiyomori’s character, and only a fraction of Yoshitsune’s early life. So i’ll first remind you that for those who wants to read primarily about the life of Yoshitsune, this book is not the right choice for you.
Inside The Heike Story
At that time, the aristocratic Fujiwara clan are the dominant power within the govenrment. They evolved a system of rule that centered in the emperor, and by filling all the important position of the state, The Fujiwara soon made them self the rulers. They kept power in their hands by forcing the abdication of an emperor whenever they saw fit and replaced him with Fujiwara son and grandson, whose mother is a Fujiwara lady, married to the abdicated emperor. The Heike and the Genji are two military family were employed by the Fujiwara as guards at the court. They were called to quell civil disturbances, to repulse warlike monks who entered Kyoto (Japan’s capital at that time) and threatened the authorities.
Yoshikawa’s story starts with the life of Taira No Kiyomori of the Heike, a young warrior who lives in poverty, where Heike is still considered a low class among the warriors clans. It goes with how Kiyomori manage to rise from the poverty, took place among the respected within the government and at last succeed in making the Heike as the primary warrior clan at the capital. Kiyomori eventually put an end to Fujiwara dominance as well as gained ascendancy over their rival, the Genji, and be the rulers of Japan. It is for the first time in Japanese history where the warrior clan achieve a main role in government.
While Heike flourished with wealth, and power, The Genji Clan is at its worst after the death of Yoshitomo of the Genji, the clan leader, in Genpei war, a war that was intended to took the power from the Heike, but eventually end with a grim result for the Genji, and the utter dominance of the Heike.
After the war ends, Kiyomori captured Yoshitomo’s second wive Tokiwa, along with her three children. Tokiwa who was widely known with her beauty as a court lady, was taken as a captive by Kiyomori, resulting a love affair between them, while her children were all spared and exiled. Among them are Minamoto no Yoritomo and Yoshitsune (known as Ushiwakamaru at his younger age), who eventually later in the history took revenge for Genji, and put an end to Heike’s dominance. Yoshitsune who was captivated at the Kurama temple of Mount Hiei was about to forced to took vow as a priest, but he manage to escape at sixteen years old, assisted by a number of loyal Genji retainers, and the Fujiwara. The retainers wear a mask of a long-nose, red-faced demon known as Tengu as a disguise while assisting Ushiwakamaru. The story end when Ushiwakamaru meet his mother for the last time at the capital and head to northeast in the safety of the Fujiwara clan under the protection of Fujiwara no Hidehara the Chieftan.
My Opinion
A very good book. Gives an enormous insight about the life at the capital and the government system that evolve in that era, and describe the evolution of Kiyomori’s character very well, along with the family conflict and love affairs during his life. But in giving the insight about Bushido, the philosophy that dominates the people of Japan, particularly the warrior class, it fails to match two others Yoshikawa’s works which I’ve also red, Musashi and Taiko. and Taiko is still in my opinion is Yoshikawa’s best Work.
Lastly, all comments especially about my writing style and my English is much appreciated. Or to those who just wants to discuss about Japanese classic, particularly this book, you are more then welcome to post your comments.
