Seikei, the son of a tea merchant, wants more than anything to become a samurai in 18th century Japan. Unfortunately, because he was not born into a samurai family, by law he cannot become one of those honored warriors. However, Judge Ooka, one of the most revered judges and samurai in 18th century Japan, has adopted him. Where Samurai Lord Inaba, is murdered in his sleep by a Ninja, Judge Ooka, and his apprentice, Seikei, are called on to solve the murder. Judge Ooka sends Seikei on a journey to Lord Inaba's province, along with a Ninja named Tatsuno, to discover who Lord Inaba's enemies may be, and who would have hired a Ninja to kill him. They learn many startling facts about the old Lord Inaba, and his son, the new Lord Inaba. Seikei even ends up in the Inaba castle dungeon and must be rescued by Tatsuno. Their search ends up on the sacred Ninja mountain where Seikei faces the Ninja murderer. Will Seikei overcome the Ninja's powers, defeat him, and learn the identity of who hired the Ninja to kill Lord Inaba? This is the third book in a series of stories starring Seikei and Judge Ooka. The other books are The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, The Demon in the Teahouse, The Sword That Cut the Burning Grass, A Samurai Never Fears Death, and Seven Paths to Death.
Similar books: Blue Fingers-a Ninja's Tale by Cheryl Whitesel; Samurai Spirit: Ancient Wisdom for Modern life by Burt Konzak; Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan by Eric Kimmel
Date read: 4/29/2009
ISBN-10: 0399237674
ISBN-13: 9780399237676
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