Taiko
January 15th 2007 06:08
I'd like to point out the slow transition that the last three posts have had. The first, a chinese tale, based on history, told by a chinese author. The second was about a chinese story that was re-created by japanese actors. Now what I have is a japanese story, based on history, told by a japanses author, Eiji Yoshikawa. If anyone has some korean stuff they could recommend that would be a great way to even it out.
There are few men that change the world in which they live and leave marks that are impossible to erase. At one time, Japan was host to three such men. There is a saying that has been passed down to japanese school children.
What if the bird will not sing?
Nobunaga says, Kill it!
Hideyoshi says, make it WANT to sing.
Ieyasu says, wait.
The book is dedicated to Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the man who made the birds want to sing.
The main character, Hideyoshi Toyotomi is the most remarkable man to have been produced by Japan. He was born a peasant, his father dead, his family living at the sufferance of an uncle. He quickly entered the service of the local lord, Oda Nobunaga. Oda is remembered as being one of the most ambitious generals of his time. Hideyoshi entered his service as a servant, and quickly, was able to distinguish himself with a willing attitude and relentless ambition. He was quick to seek understanding with others, making friends and developing intimacy with those around him. He was awarded the post of head of the kitchen servants after serving his lord on the battlefield. An interesting award, since kitchen duty was not an easy place for a samurai to gain recognition. His first entrance to the kitchens was less than inspiring. He saw a dank and gloomy place, where no one would wish to work. So he changed it. As with any place, any change brings complaints. Workers resent those that make them work more. He put his efforts into gaining the favour of the supplying merchants, and that of the head cook, even following the man's orders when he didn't have to. After his work in this area, the kitchen changed dramatically.
"When someone makes waves, he's bound to attract the resentment of others, so Tokichiro (his name changes a few times in the book) generally treated such gossip with indifference. His scheme for remodelling the kitchens was approved by both the head cook and Nobunaga. He had a carpenter open a vent in the ceiling and cut a large window into the wall. The sewage system was also rebuilt following his plans. Morning and evening , the sun shone brightly into the kitchens of Kiyosu castle, which for decades had been so dark that food was cooked by candlelight even at noon. A refreshing breeze also blew through.".......(servants complaning, blah blah blah)
"Tokichiro ignored these complaints. After that, the place became clean; if people saw waste, they reduced it. A year later, the kitchens had become a bright and airy place with a lively atmosphere, just like his own character."
One of the things I truly admired about the main character was his ability to maintain an amazingly good attitude in the face of any kind of setback. Whether the set back was political or personal, he kept himself going against it, usually with a smile.
What I also loved about the book, is the stark kind of poetry it is written with. It is unlike any western novel I have read, which I guess is no surprise. The clearest moment I have in my mind from this book is when two samurai of a defeated army are speaking after the battle. They speak without regret, without any kind of passion. They are a picture of the samurai. We know them so well from all the movies we have seen (which are usually done by us gaijin) that when we see them as men they seem as only men. Their calling is a calling, but to them it is the same calling a carpenter may have. The line from one samurai "I know of a shrine along this road. I can place our master's head in there. After that I'll look for somewhere to die." It reminded me so much of the portrayal of samurai in Akira Kurosawa's movie, the Seven Samurai.
The book is not just the historical account of the most amazing politician and leader that Japan has ever had. It is also a painting, made with words, of a poetic mindset of a poetic people.
JZ
There are few men that change the world in which they live and leave marks that are impossible to erase. At one time, Japan was host to three such men. There is a saying that has been passed down to japanese school children.
What if the bird will not sing?
Nobunaga says, Kill it!
Hideyoshi says, make it WANT to sing.
Ieyasu says, wait.
The book is dedicated to Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the man who made the birds want to sing.
The main character, Hideyoshi Toyotomi is the most remarkable man to have been produced by Japan. He was born a peasant, his father dead, his family living at the sufferance of an uncle. He quickly entered the service of the local lord, Oda Nobunaga. Oda is remembered as being one of the most ambitious generals of his time. Hideyoshi entered his service as a servant, and quickly, was able to distinguish himself with a willing attitude and relentless ambition. He was quick to seek understanding with others, making friends and developing intimacy with those around him. He was awarded the post of head of the kitchen servants after serving his lord on the battlefield. An interesting award, since kitchen duty was not an easy place for a samurai to gain recognition. His first entrance to the kitchens was less than inspiring. He saw a dank and gloomy place, where no one would wish to work. So he changed it. As with any place, any change brings complaints. Workers resent those that make them work more. He put his efforts into gaining the favour of the supplying merchants, and that of the head cook, even following the man's orders when he didn't have to. After his work in this area, the kitchen changed dramatically.
"When someone makes waves, he's bound to attract the resentment of others, so Tokichiro (his name changes a few times in the book) generally treated such gossip with indifference. His scheme for remodelling the kitchens was approved by both the head cook and Nobunaga. He had a carpenter open a vent in the ceiling and cut a large window into the wall. The sewage system was also rebuilt following his plans. Morning and evening , the sun shone brightly into the kitchens of Kiyosu castle, which for decades had been so dark that food was cooked by candlelight even at noon. A refreshing breeze also blew through.".......(servants complaning, blah blah blah)
"Tokichiro ignored these complaints. After that, the place became clean; if people saw waste, they reduced it. A year later, the kitchens had become a bright and airy place with a lively atmosphere, just like his own character."
One of the things I truly admired about the main character was his ability to maintain an amazingly good attitude in the face of any kind of setback. Whether the set back was political or personal, he kept himself going against it, usually with a smile.
What I also loved about the book, is the stark kind of poetry it is written with. It is unlike any western novel I have read, which I guess is no surprise. The clearest moment I have in my mind from this book is when two samurai of a defeated army are speaking after the battle. They speak without regret, without any kind of passion. They are a picture of the samurai. We know them so well from all the movies we have seen (which are usually done by us gaijin) that when we see them as men they seem as only men. Their calling is a calling, but to them it is the same calling a carpenter may have. The line from one samurai "I know of a shrine along this road. I can place our master's head in there. After that I'll look for somewhere to die." It reminded me so much of the portrayal of samurai in Akira Kurosawa's movie, the Seven Samurai.
The book is not just the historical account of the most amazing politician and leader that Japan has ever had. It is also a painting, made with words, of a poetic mindset of a poetic people.
JZ
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
...I get the feeling this is very much you JZ my friend.
I hope you are well. I will be back.
Am Russian....Moscow...can't stay...
Dusk
Comment by JoshZ
I try to be like this. Usually, I just manage stereotypical irish stubbornness.
Ummm, you're in Russia right now?
Cool.
JZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
No, not in Russia....in Rush Hour (alas no Jackie Chan). I was rushin'....must go....but obviously I'm back again.
I hadn't left my computer, just Orble, but saw that you had replied and decided to come back.
To be sure, to be sure lad...if I recall correctly (and actually I'm going to check...I'm back...)...now I recall exactly...Irish, Scottish, German and Polish.
With that heritage, you could face anything.
With your personality...you'd come out smiling.
Dusk
Comment by JoshZ
ahhh, I should have seen the pun coming.
With my personality, I might come out with a smart remark or two, a little wisdom and hopefully a little more maturity.
Come back any time Dusk.
JZ
Comment by hewhocutsdown
Comment by JoshZ
Good to have you here man.
JZ.
ps Jacques Ellul is BRILLIANT