From the Publisher
While attempting to solve the mystery of a stolen jewel, Seikei, a merchant's son who longs to be a samurai, joins a group of kabuki actors in eighteenth-century Japan.
Children's Literature
Every year, a couple mysteries appear that really grab my attention. From Asian history comes a mystery based on a real character. Judge Ooka, a eighteenth century jurist noted for his amazing powers of reasoning is a significant character in The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn. The main character is fourteen-year-old Seikei, the son of a tea merchant and a wannabe samurai-poet. This is an honor denied him (as samurai are born, not made). When Seikei is the only one to witness the mysterious theft of a precious ruby, Judge Ooka sets him to chase down the culprit. Seikei learns much more than the identity of the culprit. He learns the sorrows of a life destroyed, revenge that controls, and that things and people are not always what they seem. Setting and plot allow much description of this fascinating period of history, including the honor of suicide, the hatred of Kirishitans (Christians), and Kabuki Theater.
Children's Literature
Being in Japan in 1735 was like being in a different world. Feudal customs, superstitions, and a caste system almost as rigid as India's made life difficult, but interesting for an outsider to read about. At twelve, Seikei is on a trip with his tea-merchant father, and he's not really enjoying himself. He is charmed to see a travelling Kabuki troupe at the same inn, and he watches their every move. When a daimyo, a lord, comes to the inn demanding service, Seikei notices that one of the actors pays particular attention to him. Why? And when the daimyo claims that a jewel has been stolen from him and makes wild accusations, how will the real criminal be caught? Enter Judge Ooka, an historical figure, a real-life Nero Wolfe. This fast-moving adventure brings 18th-century Japan to life.
Children's Literature
Ghost in the Tokaido Inn is set in eighteenth century Japan, but fourteen-year-old Seikei follows in the tradition of fearless Harry Potter. Traveling with his merchant father, Seikei sees a ghostly vision steal a priceless ruby. A young girl is accused falsely, but Seikei upholds the truth and tells what he saw. Judge Ooka, also a guest at the inn, is so impressed that he hires the boy to work for him to track down the thief. The historic time period, the exotic setting, and the daring nature of Seikei's assignment combine with the behind-the-scenes activities of the Kabuki Theatre and the traditions of the Samurai to make this a fascinating read. Harry Potter and friends would approve.
KLIATT
To quote KLIATT's Sept. 1999 review of the hardcover edition: Seikei is the 14-year-old son of a tea merchant in 18th-century Japan, but he longs to be one of the samurai, "the hereditary warriors whose code required one's every action to be guided by loyalty, courage, and honor." A chance to prove his bravery comes when he sees what he thinks is a ghost steal a priceless ruby meant as a gift for the shogun, the military governor of Japan. Judge Ooka (a historical personage, though this tale is fiction) enlists Seikei, the only witness to the theft, as his assistant in solving the mystery. Seikei ends up joining a troupe of kabuki actors as he follows the trail of the ruby, and realizes that one of the actors is playing a deadly game. Heads roll in a gruesome final scene, and Seikei proves his worth and earns an audience with the shogun himself. This is a fine piece of historical fiction, full of suspense and exotic period detail. The Hooblers, historians and authors, make the era come alive for readers, and Seikei's adventures are exciting to read about. Great fun. An Edgar Allan Poe Award finalist and an ALA Best Book for YAs. The sequel, The Demon in the Teahouse, was reviewed in KLIATT in May 2001. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 1999, Penguin Putnam, Puffin, 214p. 20cm. 98-14089., $5.99. Ages 13 to 15. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick; KLIATT , July 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 4)
School Library Journal
Gr 6-8A Sherlock Holmes-style mystery set in 18th-century Japan. Fourteen-year-old Seikei, son of a tea merchant, longs to be a samurai, although he knows that this is an inherited honor he can never hope to attain. While on a business trip, Seikei and his stern father take shelter at the Tokaido Inn where a cruel and oafish samurai, Lord Hakuseki, is also staying. A precious jewel is stolen from the lord, and a young girl whom Seikei has just met is accused of the theft. He risks his life by speaking out to defend her and Judge Ooka, called in to solve the crime, is taken with the boys bravery and enlists his help to solve the mystery. This sets Seikei onto a dangerous path where he goes backstage at Kabuki theaters, meets an enigmatic actor, and more than once must act in the honorable way of a samurai. He remains resourceful and courageous, although he often fears he may be on the wrong path. Judge Ooka maintains a steady presence, urging Seikei to observe, be logical, and reason out the motives for the crime. The plot builds towards an exciting, dramatic climax. All of the action is placed solidly in the context of the Tokugawa period of a Japan ruled by an emperor and a shogun, and pervaded by the need to defend ones honor above all else. An unusual and satisfying mystery that will be enjoyed by a wide audience.Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
The Hooblers (The Cuban American Family Album, 1996, etc.) employ suspense, action, superstition, and mystery to entrance readers with this tale of 18th-century Japan and a boy's search for honor. Seikei, 14, is embarrassed to have been born into the merchant class and dreams of becoming a samurai. While on a business trip with his father, he witnesses the theft of a valuable ruby from a haughty samurai. Drawn into the case by Judge Ooka, a real historical figure, Seikei plunges into the chase. He finds himself in the company of Tomomi, a brilliant Kabuki actor and master of acrobatics and swordsmanship. Seikei begins to admire him, even though he knows that Tomomi is the thief and a Kirishitan, a member of a banned religious sect. But Tomomi plans much more than theft. He intends to expose and dishonor the man who destroyed his family; Seikei unwittingly becomes part of his plot, and gets the chance to fulfill his dream. The climatic scene of a play that exposes the real villain echoes the plot of Hamlet, and may work as an introduction to Shakespeare's play. Full of adventure, offering a vivid portrait of Shogun-era Japan, this is a remarkable novel. (Fiction. 12-14)
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