TARŌ

A debut novel focuses on a mythical Japanese hero.

Tarō is the young son of the samurai Lord Takeda. On his seventh birthday, an important day for samurai boys, Tarō is given a sword by his father as part of the celebration, which includes a visit to the Fuji Hachiman Shrine. The sword will be presented to and blessed by Hachiman no Kami, the God of War. But Tarō’s life is turned upside down when his family is ambushed at the temple by rival warlord Lord Monkey. The boy’s parents are killed, but Tarō manages to escape and is eventually rescued by a witch, who becomes his surrogate mother. Tarō’s idyllic life in the enchanted woods, spent in the company of talking animals, continues for years. He grows up to be a powerfully built young warrior with no memory of his previous existence. Then, Tarō saves the life of the samurai warlord Lord Tokugawa from a sorcerous kappa. When Tarō receives an invitation to live in the leader’s castle as a warrior, he eagerly accepts in order to rejoin the human world. He embarks on a daring journey during which he will learn about the samurai and seek revenge. In the company of the samurai Lady Kamehime and his animal companion, Tanuki, Tarō ultimately becomes embroiled in a political struggle for the throne, with the emperor’s life at stake. Spruell’s old-fashioned story with an omniscient narrator is infused with humor and the inspirational pathos of a brave protagonist on a dangerous odyssey. The author reimagines folktales about three different Japanese heroes named Tarō and inserts them into one striking narrative. Spruell cleverly interweaves Tarō’s story with a tale of 16th-century feudal Japan and its three great fabled warlords. The addition of samurai Kamehime to the vibrant cast of characters is a bold move that pays off. Beautiful, stylized images by debut illustrator Outlaw enhance this enjoyable and inventive tale.

Engaging and fun samurai adventures with a captivating cast.