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by Gene Brown (Author)
Take an eight-year-old boy and a nearly 600-year-old Samurai sword, known as "Katana." Then mix in some empathic ability for the boy to 'hear' the sword talking to him. Now read what this sword tells this young boy - its history, its ownership, its battles. Follow this katana as it makes its way through generations of Suzuki family members, then be prepared to have it tell you how it was used by Lord Asano in the Shogun's castle in Edo (old Tokyo) during the incident now memorialized as "Chushingura." Perhaps the most well-known incident in all of Japanese history, the story of the Forty-Seven Ronin is told to us as this Samurai sword experienced it and as the breathless eight-year-old Alexander relates it. Using actual historical events as a background, the author weaves a tale at once incredulous and yet very possible, capturing the flavor of different eras in feudal Japan as the country makes its way into a modern nation. Unusual for a novel, the Bibliography at the end is the author's extensive collection of books relating to Japan. Readers of The Tokaido Road, by author Lucia St. Clair Robson, will recognize some elements and characters in Asano no Katana (Sword of Asano). The author has been a Japanophile ever since he was first stationed at the Yokosuka Navy Base in 1962. Subsequently marrying a Japanese woman, his family resided in Japan for several years, during which time the katana of this story made its way into his family's care. Partly historical, partly biographical, partly fiction, Asano no Katana (Sword of Asano) has something to delight everyone in your family.
Author Biography
Gene Brown grew up in Anchorage, Alaska in the 1940s and '50s. He played lead trumpet in Navy unit bands during the early Viet Nam era and recently retired from playing in local swing bands. Brown lived nearly five years in Japan, where he met his wife, the former Sachiko (Nina) Takahashi of Niihama, Ehime Prefecture. His writing endeavors have also produced a collection of autobiographical short stories, many of which have been featured on the blog www.growingupanchorage.com and in other e-zine media. Brown resides in Seattle, Washington
