Tomoe Gozen

Tomoe Gozen #1

by Jessica Amanda Salmonson

A beautiful young Samurai from a world much like that of ancient Japan must fight the powers of the supernatural in order to regain her honor and return to the sacred Way of the Warrior

Genres: Fantasy, Japan, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Alternate History, Historical Fantasy, Speculative Fiction

274 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1981

Reviews

[Althea Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting: an alternate-world 12th-century Japan, where all the creatures and magic of Japanese folktale are very real.

The character: Tomoe Gozen, woman warrior extraordinaire.
Tomoe is an actual historical figure, a female samurai who fought in the Genpei war, and was renowned for both her military prowess and her beauty.

However, in this incarnation, she is a pure fantasy hero. We follow Tomoe as she experiences evil sorcery, monsters, curses, betrayal, and more - as she makes friends and loses them, and wrestles with issues of honor and loyalty.

The book is particularly notable for its action scenes, of which there are many. Salmonson is very good at writing clear, play-by-play, fight scenes and battles. I thought the book was a little weaker on character development. All the characters are unique and interesting, but the narrative style made me feel a little bit distanced from them. However, I believe this was intentional - the book is intentionally seeking to emulate a slightly old-fashioned, traditional-feeling epic tale-telling style.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but don't feel desperately driven to pick up the next in the series immediately.

Many thanks to Open Road Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.

[Jack Tripper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in more of an episodic format as opposed to one long story, Tomoe Gozen takes place in an alternate 12th century Japan called Naipon, where the demons and gods that are pure myth in our world are very real, and very dangerous. It could be that our reality is merely an echo or shadow of theirs, but real-life female samurai Tomoe Gozen happens to exist in both, and here she must face not only human foes but supernatural ones as well. Magic and unearthly creatures are commonplace in Naipon, so common in fact that they lost some of their impact after a while, and all the various evil beasts and apparitions seemed slightly less threatening after encountering them so often.

But that's a minor nitpick (not really even a negative as the constant intrusions of the otherworldly are an integral part of the book’s charm and overall vibe) as Salmonson packs enough adventure, sword fighting, black sorcery, ninja espionage, and plain ole human drama to keep the reader engaged throughout. The many action scenes, whether a one on one duel or a giant battle, are extremely vivid and gruesome, detailed enough to paint the scene, but never so much that it bogs down the pace.

Rarely do three pages go by without something moving the plot forward in some way (or plots, since it's more like four separate-but-continuous novellas, like episodes of a TV show from before they turned into 10-hour movies), but she somehow fits in some immersive worldbuilding in between all the action and intrigue and mysticism, with an eclectic mix of well-drawn characters and even a gay romance to boot. Not to mention great insight into samurai culture, which I'm sure is based on historical fact considering Salmonson's extensive knowledge on the subject. It's wonderfully illustrated by Wendy Adrian Shultz throughout as well, with some grotesque depictions of the various spirits and monsters.

I'll definitely be getting to the other two books in this series, and probably everything Salmonson's written that I can get my hands on. I already knew she was adept at writing horror and weird fiction thanks to the stellar Anthony Shriek and the various shorts I'd come across in anthos, but this proves she's every bit as skilled at writing fantasy (though infused with a fair amount of the creepy and uncanny). Anyone who's into sword & sorcery or more action-oriented dark fantasy, but maybe is tired of the Conan clones and more typical medieval settings, would do well to check this one out.

4.5 Stars.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to give some credit to Salmonson, for while most fantasy authors of this era were cranking out LOTR/European feudal based fantasy, she chose feudal Japan as a setting, with the legendary historical figure Tomoe Gozen as the lead. While set in an alternative/parallel universe, one with magic and so forth, Salmonson seems to have done her homework here on 12th or so century Japan and laces the text with Japanese phrases and such, along side certain attitudes, culture and so forth.

Historical accuracy, however, all by itself does not necessarily imply a good novel, but Salmonson paces this well and gives us Tomoe's grand, and sometimes bizarre adventures with style. Each chapter chronicles an event and this almost reads as a collection of themed short stories, but Tomoe matures as we move along, with each event serving to build some aspect of her character. Tomoe starts the volume as a fierce samurai, albeit a young one, loyal to her master (her bushido), but strange magics lead her astray and beholden to a 'evil' sorcerer from Ho (China), who desires to conquer Japan...

Tomoe's adventures are just so different from European based fantasy, making this really stand out. This took me a bit to get into, as Salmonson starts the story with a bang, giving little information about the world in general, but the world building unfolds as the story progresses, with all kinds of demons, strange magics, codes of honor and loyalties peppering the pages. At times action packed, other times reflective, this quickly became pretty enchanting. Looking forward to the rest of the saga! 4 rising suns!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.

This is a strange book, but strange in a good way. Salmonson takes the real life samurai Tomoe Gozen (a woman samurai who fought in the Genepi war) and creates a historical fantasy set in an alternate Japan.

The thing is, the book is meditation disguised as an adventure story.
Gozen starts as a sworn samurai who is debating taking a deeper oath with three others, but then a battle occurs in which despite heroic deeds, Gozen loses her status, loses herself. In many ways, the sequence of the rest of the book is about a re-discovery of self in terms of Eastern belief.
It is that quest, which is done in conjunction with various other adventures that is most engrossing as well as the look at what is a samurai, a wife, a lady, and who controls power. It is a thought provoking book.

Gozen comes to realizations about her place in the world though her adventures as well as in the mirroring of the past of those of that surround to her own. Salmonson combines Japanese folklore with Western fantasy elements to do so. The effect is beautiful.

The weakest part of the story is the love affair between Gozen and Tomiska. It is weak, not because of the lesbian relationship (which was beautifully referred to in the beginning of the book) but because the development of a two sided romance does not seem quite realistic. Gozen is too dispassionate. This could be playing on the idea of the dispassionate male hero that appears in several stories and films, but for some reason it falls flat here. Yet, when one considers when this book was first published, this relationship would have been far more different than it is seen today.

Enjoyable.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite fantasy novels of all time. This is basically the story of the 12th century civil war in Japan that established the samurai class, and it's historically accurate except that it's set in an alternate-earth version of Japan where magic and magical beings are real. Thus, Japanese history and myth are combined in an exciting, epic tale.

Tomoe Gozen was an actual historical figure, though of course Salmonson has created a completely fictional version based on what little is known of the real person.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A totally enthralling tale of adventure, terror and personal transformation in a land called Naipon in a world where magic is real and the gods may touch mortal lives at any moment. Salmondson takes the bare facts we know about the real Tomoe Gozen, a 13-century female samurai, and weaves the most captivating fantasy adventure I've read in a while. I was sorry when the book got over and will move heaven and earth (and PayPal) to acquire the remaining volumes of the Tomoe Gozen saga.

For me, this was a well-nigh perfect fantasy adventure, one that never loses sight of the importance of characterisation, works in some thrilling action scenes and intrigue but most of all conveys both a sense of the truly weird and a certain immemorial melancholy, in victory perhaps even more than defeat, that makes this a true connoisseur's delight. My only cavil is with the atrocious editing job, and I certainly would like to read the author's own preferred text, released under the title 'The Disfavoured Hero'.

[Marie H.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟 — a mesmerizing blend of historical accuracy and imaginative storytelling.
Set in an alternate-earth version of 12th century Japan, the novel introduces us to the enigmatic onna-bugeisha, Tomoe Gozen, and immerses us in a world where magic and mythical creatures coexist with mortal samurai.

While Salmonson's portrayal of Tomoe Gozen is a work of fiction, it draws inspiration from the real historical figure who was an onna-bugeisha—a female warrior—during the formative years of the samurai class in Japan. Salmonson's fictionalized version breathes life into this enigmatic figure, infusing her character with depth and complexity.

The real Tomoe Gozen, from 12th-century Japan, was most known for her remarkable skills as an onna-bugeisha, a female warrior. She served as a prominent samurai and was celebrated for her bravery and martial prowess on the battlefield. Tomoe Gozen fought alongside her male counterparts during the Genpei War, a conflict between the Minamoto and Taira clans, which played a crucial role in establishing the samurai class in Japan. Despite limited historical documentation about her life, her reputation as a skilled and formidable warrior has persisted through time, making her an enduring symbol of female strength and prowess in Japanese history.

One of the captivating aspects of this novel is the author's ability to transport readers to ancient Japan, skillfully capturing the cultural nuances and traditions of the time. Salmonson's writing evokes a vivid and authentic atmosphere, painting a rich tapestry of samurai, yokai, and magical beings that seamlessly intertwine with historical elements.

Another strength of the novel lies in its portrayal of Tomoe Gozen herself. Salmonson presents her as a fascinating and multidimensional character, balancing her strengths and flaws to create a relatable and compelling protagonist. In a society dominated by men, Tomoe Gozen defies expectations by embracing her femininity while remaining true to the principles of Bushido—the samurai code of honor.

While the real Tomoe Gozen's life is shrouded in mystery, Salmonson's fictional counterpart embarks on a quest to reclaim her status as a revered hero after breaking the code of Bushido. This narrative arc delves into themes of honor, redemption, and personal growth, echoing the spirit of the historical figure and offering readers a captivating exploration of these concepts.

Salmonson masterfully blends historical facts with imaginative storytelling in "Tomoe Gozen." While the inclusion of supernatural elements and magical beings deviates from historical reality, the novel remains firmly rooted in historical accuracy. This fusion of fact and fiction creates a compelling narrative that will enthrall enthusiasts of samurai culture and history.

I loved how "Tomoe Gozen" is a captivating fusion of history and fantasy, transporting readers to an alternate version of ancient Japan where the enigmatic onna-bugeisha takes center stage. Jessica Amanda Salmonson's skillful storytelling and attention to historical details create an immersive reading experience. Whether one is drawn to the allure of samurai culture or captivated by the enigmatic figure of Tomoe Gozen, this novel offers a mesmerizing blend of fact and fiction that will leave you captivated from beginning to end!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised at the historical accuracy lurking in the mythological setting of Tomoe Gozen. While the work itself is fictitious, an actual Tomoe Gozen was an onna-bugeisha (female warrior) in the 12 century. This strong female lead is a surprisingly dynamic character and the plot never thins or wavers too long on one grand mission, but powers quickly onward to the next. It is exciting, emotional, compelling, and often pleasantly surprising and will surely please the reader.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I found the idea of a female samurai sword & sorcery protagonist appealing, I was a bit let down by the book itself.

The book starts off strong. Tomoe finds herself under the sway of an evil not-Chinese sorcerer, who compels her to join a demon horde and slaughter thousands of her former master’s warriors. She manages to free herself from this magical influence, but the damage is done: her master is slain and her honor as a samurai besmirched. She goes off on a journey to restore her good name.

Unfortunately, the book that follows is largely directionless and disjointed. It’s more of a sequence of events than a cohesive narrative. Tomoe is afflicted by a curse early on in the story that gets resolved about halfway through the story, and the book concludes with a duel with the shogun’s champion, who she encounters early on (not that there’s much of a dramatic build towards this duel, or a sense of inevitability), but there’s not really a driving plot. Tomoe wanders and experiences strange events involving magic and monsters.

The decision to set the book in an alternate world is a strange one. I suppose setting the story in “Naipon” rather than Nippon offers some cover for inaccuracies and allows license to do a “good bits version” of historical Japan. But Tomoe is a historical (if mythologized) figure and real world locations and religions are used, rather than fictionalized substitutes. Real Japanese terms appear frequently throughout, if occasionally misspelled or misused. Characters sometimes have names that would be unpronounceable in Japanese (“Noyimo”), and the western first name-last name order is used. I wished Salmonson had committed to either sticking close to the real Japan or taking a much freer hand with the source material. Her “Naipon” seems like a frustrating half-measure.

Published in 1981, this book is notable for using a non-Western fantasy setting and for having a lesbian heroine, but the plot wasn’t especially engaging.

[Rindis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The very beginning of The Disfavored Hero directly states that this is an alternate Japan (Naipon) where myth is real. This is something that should never be said in a novel. Let your creation stand on its own feet, and show us what you're doing.

Thankfully, after that little hiccup, the rest of the book is very good. It's broken into three parts (without any shorter chapters), that are practically separate novellas. Each one has its own set of secondary characters, its own plot with solid beginning, middle, and end, that lends the book an episodic quality and makes it almost a short story collection. At the same time, the beginning of the book sets up a conflict that is not resolved until the epilogue, and ties the book together. The problem is that while this drives the circumstances of the middle of the novel, it doesn't drive any of the action, which just adds to the episodic feel.

Past that, the actual writing is very good, with a lot of the feel of older Japanese literature and tales (at least from what little I've seen). My kindle edition retains several nice illustrations (also done in an appropriate style), so that is also recommended.

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

An impressive amount of research clearly went into this alternate history/next universe over story of a 12th century female samurai. The setting was certainly immersive, but I found it hard to relate to and root for any of the characters. The translation of the traditional, pseudo-Eurocentric and male-centric sword & sorcery genre into a Asian, female-centric story is definitely different and interesting, though.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much non-stop action. It isn't huge on mystery or character development but it is a good solid fun and well written fantasy read. I liked it a lot. Tomoe rocks.

[Arthur Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire Tomoe Gozen as a character and am now interested in her real life counterpart.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the land of the Magic Nation, from mortals to immortals, samurai and yokai, Tomoe Gozen is a novel which encapsulates both fact and fiction to create a gripping read.

Salmonson's writing rings true to the culture of ancient Japan, and bringing the culture to a more personal level. The story revolves around the onna bugeisha Tomoe Gozen, a prominent female samurai during 12th-century Japan, breaking bushido, and her journey to regaining her name as a favoured hero. Not to mention, it was written with such vigour, historical accuracy and fictional imagination that it was impossible not to be gripped by the characters and the environment that appeared within the novel.

I didn't understand the meaning of the last sentence though: 'Katattemo kataraideno sooroo' – does anyone know?

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it when it first came out and it was such an amazing work at that time for me. The reread now years later I still see why it was so amazing back then. My rating stand just because of the nostalgia factor for me.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

That writing style though

I haven’t been able to pinpoint it with my limited understanding of writing techniques and such, but I really love this authors style. How she describes things and conveys personality is unique and really just jives with my brain. I dig it.

[James Debruicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doubly rare, a female pulp fantasy author with a female protagonist. Salmonson manages to capture the whole "something is beautiful because it's going to die alone" thing.

[Ralph Montano · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tale of a woman samurai told in the styles of the classic samurai tales. Very well done.

[Dantegideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that the detached, otherworldly mood is intentional, but it was too detached for me. I stopped reading halfway through as I just didn’t care what happened next.

[J.W. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the realm of Naipon, an alternate Earth version of Japan, Gods, magic, monsters, and demons are as real as anything else. It is through a portal in the dreams of the people of Japan through the ages that the Japanese people have seen this alternate dimension similar to theirs, and believed they were seeing the unseen in Medieval Japan. In a way, because of overlapping dimensions in the multiverse, this is true. Enter the female samurai Tomoe Gozen, a once-heroic warrior fallen from grace when she was lured in by the powers of darkness. With everything she has, she tries to redeem herself of the dark stain of dishonor upon her name. This is her story…..

I must confess that I haven’t read much Oriental/Asian-flavored fantasy. The only one I read was a certain trilogy printed in the early 2000s that I found quite lackluster and disappointing and I only made it through the first book of it and just a couple of chapters of the second book before I quit. The title of this Asian-influenced fantasy trilogy shall remain unnamed and so will the author as I do not wish any feelings to be hurt. I thought it was about time I read another Asian-inspired fantasy that has been sitting on my shelf for quite a while; The Tomoe Gozen Saga by Jessica Amanda Salmonson. The first book is eponymous in its title. Jessica Amanda Salmonson is an author who was involved in the wave of sword and sorcery/heroic fantasy authors in the ’60s through the ’80s who put more of a social/diversity consciousness into the genre, such as Michael Moorcock and Charles R. Saunders. She is also known for her novel The Swordswoman and is known as the editor of the Amazons! anthology series of female-led sword and sorcery/heroic fantasy stories.
This particular work of heroic fantasy is a bit different from the works of Howard, Wagner, Moorcock, Leiber, Saunders, and the like because it is not so savage, barbaric, and Gothic in tone. It has the fluidity and grace of Medieval Asian culture, naturally, however, there is much violence, bloodshed, gore, and darkness of its own kind in the story so in a way it does fit in with the works of the aforementioned authors in its own way.
The world, as mentioned in the prologue to this review, is an alternate universe version of Medieval Japan; one in which women have a higher status that they did in the Medieval Japan of this particular universe, however, certain strict patriarchal laws are still in place, so it is not total equality. Women can be samurai, and women can be feudal lords. Tomoe Gozen is a particularly interesting case as she is a type of brooding anti-hero samurai, trying to redeem her own darkness brought about from falling under the thrall of an evil sorcerer. So again, like other works of heroic fantasy, i.e. Elric from the Eternal Champion Cycle by Moorcock and Kane from Wagner’s Kane Series, the anti-hero element is certainly present here in its own way.
Also interesting to note is that Tomoe Gozen has a same-sex romantic relationship with the high-born daughter of the feudal warlord she serves. This happens to be the first same-sex romance I’ve encountered in a fantasy novel and in fiction overall, and it is quite well done. It shows that LGBTQ+ folk, just like everyone else, only want to be loved and accepted, and it is quite heartwarming.
This novel is not at all short on its fast pace and action. Everything happens at a rather fast clip and there is no shortage of action sequences. I honestly can’t remember one spot where the story dragged at all.
Along with fast-paced, thrilling action and romance, this novel is packed to the brim with adventure, espionage, horror, and political intrigue. Gozen must face wicked sorcerers, enemy samurai, bandits, demons, monsters, and shadowy ninjas. There are sword-fights aplenty and engaging battles, both large scale and small. Also, the Asian-inspired illustrations by Wendy Adrian Shultz throughout the book are very atmospheric.
In summation, this is an underrated masterwork of fantasy that honestly should have received a bigger reception. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am going to continue reading the trilogy. I give Tomoe Gozen by Jessica Amanda Salmonson a 5 out of 5.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had to say what Tomoe Gozen's biggest hurdle, as well as its biggest strength, is, then I would say it's a book for those "in the know." If you're into old epics, know a lot about Japanese folk tales and legends, and like the pulpier side of fiction, then this would be something you'd enjoy. It also helps if you love that there is combat in books.

Personally, I would describe it more as a hurdle to me than anything else, specifically because I'm not such a huge fan of pulp and while I can appreciate old epics, I would say that I personally prefer stories where characters continually develop, rather than stay the same while being overpowered. I was also not a fan of the constant combat, nor the writing for the same reason: While it's extremely direct and to the point, it also feels underdeveloped and at the edge of not working.

That's not to say that I thought it was without merit, just that I thought it wasn't much beyond "OK," and that I can easily imagine borrowing this book to a friend of mine who would enjoy it more for being a bigger fan of the setting. So if you're in the know, I recommend picking it up. If you're not, I may recommend skipping this one.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like there is a style of fantasy that could be described as swords and sorcery set in East Asia. Gods walk the Earth and disguise themselves as mortals. Monsters of myth and legend are real and prey upon the the weak and unwary. Heroes battle fiends with their skill of the blade and their knowledge of magic.

Generally I find straight-up swords and sorcery to be a bit dated or schlocky but here it works very well. It puts me in mind of Ken Liu's "The Grace of Kings" book, except written 20 years earlier. It's true that there isn't a consistent story: the book is divided into three episodes. But I wonder if Cohan the Barbarian or other early works in the genre were also serial or episodic.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book a lot. I'd recommend it to anyone who is a fan of wandering adventurers or malicious monsters. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

[William Leight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this story of a heroic female samurai in a mythical medieval Japan, but it’s just not that interesting. It lacks the vim and vigor that characterize, to take another example of an American author adopting a mythological East Asian setting, Barry Hughart’s Master Li and Number Ten Ox books, but fails to compensate with interesting characters: the book simply never made me care all that much about Gozen’s quest to regain her honor. The one section of the book that did stick in my mind is the one where Gozen spends her time in a sort of dream-world as a drunk with an infinite sake bottle, but though this makes her more interesting it causes the plot to bog down completely.

[Lane Callahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

admittedly i think i expected something very different to what this ended up being, but i still think the writing was pretty average. the only real positive for me was the prose was quite pretty but thats about it. this felt like it was written to imitate a folk story or fable - all the characters spoke very matter-of-factly, scenery and the world was barely described, and actions take place in a very plain way. this is usually forgiveable when the text has deep or impactful reflections on the world/morality/literally anything else, but this felt super shallow and lacking any mature or meaningful messages. 2/5

[Kay Hudson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book clearly works for a lot of people, but I found it something of a slog. The action is constant and gory (martial arts fans will probably love it), but in another sense nothing much happens. We really don't know Tomoe Gozen, the female samurai heroine, any better by the end of the book than we do at the beginning. The style is very detached and omniscient, perhaps appropriate for the mythical alternate Japanese setting, but not conducive to any emotional attachment to the characters. I'm in no hurry to read the rest of the trilogy.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this alternate Japan,/Naipon, where myths are real, Tomoe overcomes great challenges brought on by a Shogun vs Mikado conflict. The best aspect of this book is the (far too rare) Asian setting immersed in a Shinto and Buddhist pantheon. Excellent start to this trilogy that stars a brave and honorable samurai heroine.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantasy interpretation of the onna-bugeisha Tomoe Gozen, which makes for pretty great brain candy. An excellent read if you're after something rich in action, but it is quite light in character development, which does limit my engagement.

[Donna Keeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when it was first published back in the 1980s, as well as the sequel. I didn't know there was a third book until I was browsing GoodReads, so I've collected the digital version of the series. Excellent fantasy/Japanese mythology.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a new translation of an old story, Tomoe is a badass samurai warrior who battles with humans, fantastical creatures, falls in love with a mysterious and powerful ninja clan leader, and dies and is reanimated. This is a bizarre and fabulous story.

[scarlettraces]

DNF