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Matsuyama Kaze #2
Jade Palace Vendetta
In the second installment in the series, noble ronin Matsuyama Kaze continues the search for his lord's missing child, but when he saves a helpless merchant from a gang of killers, he realizes that everything is not what it seems.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1999
10 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Dale Furutani
20 books35 followersDale Furutani's first novel, Death in Little Tokyo, was nominated for an Agatha Award, and won Anthony and Macavity Awards for best first mystery. He lives in Los Angeles.
Series:
* Ken Tanaka
* Matsuyama Kaze
Series:
* Ken Tanaka
* Matsuyama Kaze
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 2, 2024
Penso me lo sarei potuta godere di più se non lo avessi iniziato pensando di leggere un giallo storico. Di giallo purtroppo ha ben poco, è praticamente solo storico. Se vi piace il genere ve lo consiglio, ha una trama interessante e personaggi divertenti da leggere.
December 31, 2011
La seconda puntata della trilogia dedicata al samurai ronin e alla ricerca del suo onore perduto è ancora più bella della prima. Poetica e nello stesso tempo divertente procede la nostra conoscenza un personaggio che divnte via via più complesso e profondo. Belli i personaggi di contorno che in alcuni casi rasentano la macchietta e danno tocchi di umorismo. Deve però piacere il mondo del Giappone, le sue regole, i suoi rituali e i suoi miti. Se è così la troverete senz'altro una lettura piacevolissima.
September 28, 2020
Another fantastic historical Japanese mystery starring Kaze, a crime solving, sword fighting ronin. I like this one even better than the previous volume because the action is ramped up and Kaze is wrapped up in the mystery more personally.
November 19, 2013
Furutani's Samurai mystery series is one of the most unique in the mystery genre. It follows a structure that is more often used in science fiction, the trilogy. Jade Palace Vendetta is the second installment in the trilogy, with Death at the Crossroads the first. The series' protagonist, Matsuyama Kaze, is a ronin (without a master) samurai following a quest in 1603 Japan. He has pledged to his dying master that he will find her young daughter who has been abducted in the feudal wars of the time. The clues to her whereabouts are slim indeed, but he doggedly pursues every lead over the course of several years. As he does so, he faces much adversity and many adventures.
As Kaze continues his quest, he runs across a merchant who is about to be killed by a rogue band of thieves. Kaze is a master swordsman and dispatches the group handily. At the time, merchants were viewed as lower class while the samurai were at an elevated level of society. Kaze is fascinated by this particular merchant because of his obsessive love of his wife, Yuchan. At the time, marriages were arranged and passionate love for one's mate was quite unusual. The merchant has ensconced Yuchan in a jade palace on his premises and appears to support her in a very luxurious lifestyle.
But, of course, all is not as it appears. Kaze has to overcome great evil, and he does so by following the samurai code. He never kills anyone who does not deserve it, but many people are deserving in this tale! The book concludes with another piece of information about the young girl he is seeking, albeit disturbing, which will serve as the new direction for his quest in the last book of the series.
This book is a work of art, in more ways than one. In addition to the excellent characterization and interesting plot, each chapter is preceded by a haiku verse that relates to its content. The cover artwork is gorgeous. I most appreciated how Furutani seamlessly wove in facts about the legends and culture of the time, as well as the unique moral perspective possessed by the samurai class. The prose is poetic and the book highly recommended.
As Kaze continues his quest, he runs across a merchant who is about to be killed by a rogue band of thieves. Kaze is a master swordsman and dispatches the group handily. At the time, merchants were viewed as lower class while the samurai were at an elevated level of society. Kaze is fascinated by this particular merchant because of his obsessive love of his wife, Yuchan. At the time, marriages were arranged and passionate love for one's mate was quite unusual. The merchant has ensconced Yuchan in a jade palace on his premises and appears to support her in a very luxurious lifestyle.
But, of course, all is not as it appears. Kaze has to overcome great evil, and he does so by following the samurai code. He never kills anyone who does not deserve it, but many people are deserving in this tale! The book concludes with another piece of information about the young girl he is seeking, albeit disturbing, which will serve as the new direction for his quest in the last book of the series.
This book is a work of art, in more ways than one. In addition to the excellent characterization and interesting plot, each chapter is preceded by a haiku verse that relates to its content. The cover artwork is gorgeous. I most appreciated how Furutani seamlessly wove in facts about the legends and culture of the time, as well as the unique moral perspective possessed by the samurai class. The prose is poetic and the book highly recommended.
January 26, 2010
Buku pertamanya sudah kubaca, buku keduanya Kaze yang berjudul Dendam di Istana Giok juga sudah kubaca. Dan sekarang sedang menanti buku ketiganya. Seperti kisah samurai lainnya, Klan Otori juga Musashi, Kisah Trylogi Kaze ini juga tetap berbicara tentang kekuasaan, dendam dan juga cinta.
Buku-buku novel tentang kisah Samurai atau juga Ronin (baca: Samurai tanpa Tuan) sering banyak diangkat oleh para penulis Jepang sendiri ataupun penulis seperti Dale Furutani yang kakek dan neneknya berasal dari Jepang dan berbisnis Ikan di hawai. Dale adalah generasi ketiga Jepang Amerika.
Saya sangat menyukai karakter Kaze yang dibangun oleh Dale Furutani. Bagaimana dengan Anda?
Salam
Agga
Buku-buku novel tentang kisah Samurai atau juga Ronin (baca: Samurai tanpa Tuan) sering banyak diangkat oleh para penulis Jepang sendiri ataupun penulis seperti Dale Furutani yang kakek dan neneknya berasal dari Jepang dan berbisnis Ikan di hawai. Dale adalah generasi ketiga Jepang Amerika.
Saya sangat menyukai karakter Kaze yang dibangun oleh Dale Furutani. Bagaimana dengan Anda?
Salam
Agga
September 28, 2021
What an excelent sequel.
Once again, Dale Furutani blows my mind away. Such an easy read, but at the same time dealing with complicated subjects. It really hits you when you realize this things use to happened. Every good thing about Death at the Crossroads, Furutani was able to put it here and made it even better. The story was more interestin, the characters didn't felt as one-dimensional, the story had more twist (i half figured one of them, i'm so proud of myself hahaha) and the ending was similar to the movie Sanjuro by Akira Kurosawa. I don't know whay but as i was reading it i felt like a little kid playing with his favourite toy, so happy hahaha.
I love how there's more about Kaze's past in this book, more information that makes the character even more interesting and compelling. There're some characters that were introduce in the first book that take a more important role, and the rest of the characters were ok, some more attractive than others but everybody played their part perfectly.
Audiobook narrated by Jonathan Marosz: Just like with Death at the Crossroads, it was ok and nothing more. It could be better though.
Overall: I'm in love with this series so far, it's to early to tell but i think i enjoyed Jade Palace Vendetta more than its predecessor.
Once again, Dale Furutani blows my mind away. Such an easy read, but at the same time dealing with complicated subjects. It really hits you when you realize this things use to happened. Every good thing about Death at the Crossroads, Furutani was able to put it here and made it even better. The story was more interestin, the characters didn't felt as one-dimensional, the story had more twist (i half figured one of them, i'm so proud of myself hahaha) and the ending was similar to the movie Sanjuro by Akira Kurosawa. I don't know whay but as i was reading it i felt like a little kid playing with his favourite toy, so happy hahaha.
I love how there's more about Kaze's past in this book, more information that makes the character even more interesting and compelling. There're some characters that were introduce in the first book that take a more important role, and the rest of the characters were ok, some more attractive than others but everybody played their part perfectly.
Audiobook narrated by Jonathan Marosz: Just like with Death at the Crossroads, it was ok and nothing more. It could be better though.
Overall: I'm in love with this series so far, it's to early to tell but i think i enjoyed Jade Palace Vendetta more than its predecessor.
February 9, 2022
Kaze once again gets sidetracked on his quest to find missing girl, this time by a merchant to whose assistance he comes when he comes across the man being attacked on the road. Agreeing to act as the man's bodyguard for the remainder of his journey, Kaze accompanies him to Kamakura. All is not what it seems, however, and the merchant turns out to be keeping secrets that have made him the target of an official vendetta - by none other than the strange trio Kaze last encountered at the end of the first book.
This was an improvement over the first book, the narrative flowed better and the story was on the whole more engaging. At the end of the book Kaze finds an important clue to aid his quest, so I'm quite looking forward to seeing where things go from here.
This was an improvement over the first book, the narrative flowed better and the story was on the whole more engaging. At the end of the book Kaze finds an important clue to aid his quest, so I'm quite looking forward to seeing where things go from here.
August 20, 2020
Hate the fact that this series needs a 4th book which will never be written.
This is ONE of the BEST Asian series I've read.
Dale makes you feel like you're in the story with Kaze. He doesn't attempt to overwhelm you with an excessive amount of Japanese language but still makes you feel the Japanese language that he uses in the three books.
COME ON DALE, WRITE A FOURTH.......PLEASE
Read 7/2015 - 6/2020
This is ONE of the BEST Asian series I've read.
Dale makes you feel like you're in the story with Kaze. He doesn't attempt to overwhelm you with an excessive amount of Japanese language but still makes you feel the Japanese language that he uses in the three books.
COME ON DALE, WRITE A FOURTH.......PLEASE
Read 7/2015 - 6/2020
March 16, 2021
3.25/5
Part 2 of the Japanese murder mystery series. Fun, more backstory and foreshadowing for the 3rd book.
He doesn't really get to play detective this time since about 75% in we get to "figure it out".
Part 2 of the Japanese murder mystery series. Fun, more backstory and foreshadowing for the 3rd book.
He doesn't really get to play detective this time since about 75% in we get to "figure it out".
February 4, 2025
L'autore ci rende non spettatori, bensì compagni di viaggio del protagonista. Una storia già chiara in partenza di come si evolverà, ciò non di meno una lettura piacevole, merito soprattutto del ricorso storico-letterario.
May 10, 2017
Superbo, un ritratto intrigante e avvincente della filosofia del bushido.
May 19, 2017
I thoroughly enjoy Furitamis books his research,understanding of Japanese culture makes fascinating reading for a reader like me who loves Japan
October 31, 2017
I'm enjoying Furutani mystery trilogy. I prefer if it would have had a glossary instead of the English translation after the Japanese word.
November 8, 2017
Such an enthralling book. I like that Bushido is thriving in the heart of Kaze. And also, he is not afraid to face death, and he is, the embodiment of the romanticized samurai.
August 3, 2019
For the Western pulp fiction market
A good deal of information about swords and sword play. Not much of a detective story. But , I did receive it free.
A good deal of information about swords and sword play. Not much of a detective story. But , I did receive it free.
August 25, 2021
I picked this book up for $1 to fill time. I ended up enjoying so much and was strangely exactly what I have been looking for. This story was so well crafted, with ambience and historical accuracy. It was slow but is a wonderful way but also fun and a little campy. I don’t think many things manage to stick that balance. Definitely would like to follow Kaze on the rest of his journey.
October 13, 2021
Good addition to the story.
April 30, 2023
Lanjutin baca karena berseri.
March 2, 2024
This second book of the Kaze trilogy is better than the first book. The detail and the storyline is better. However the way how the death of the main enemy should be better.
July 13, 2024
La serie continua con nuovi dettagli sul passato del protagonista, un nuovo mistero nel presente e una promessa sul futuro del prossimo volume.
Prosa scorrevole e bilanciata nei vari aspetti.
Prosa scorrevole e bilanciata nei vari aspetti.
August 29, 2024
Un secondo capitolo interessante, una storia all'apparenza semplice che si rivela nera, ma aiuta Kaze a mettersi sulla giusta via per concludere la sua missione.
March 18, 2025
Romanzo avvincente, scritto molto bene!
July 26, 2015
Sudah lama sekali aku membaca serial pertama Kaze. Seperti membuka kembali ingatan tentang hal-hal yang terjadi di buku pertama, buku kedua ini memberikan keasyikan tersendiri ketika membacanya.
Menceritakan tentang ronin yang mencari anak perempuan Tuan Putrinya, petualangan Kaze sampai pada misteri dalam sebuah rumah. Ada satu-dua hal yang mudah ditebak dalam buku ini, tetapi tetap saja ada kejutan-kejutan menarik yang disiapkan oleh Dale Furutani untuk para pembacanya.
Kaze mungkin tampak terlalu sempurna, tetapi setiap hal yang dia lakukan tetap manusiawi—dia tetap saja bisa melakukan beberapa kesalahan. Kesempurnaan kepribadiannya lebih ditampakkan sebagai hasil latihannya dengan Sensei-nya. Kaze merupakan gambaran sebuah hasil ketekunan dan kebersihan hati dalam sebuah tempaan.
Di seri kedua ini, sekali lagi aku terbawa oleh kisah ronin aneh bernama Matsuyama Kaze ini, yang diceritakan dengan begitu baik oleh Dale Furutani. Pembawaan ceritanya begitu detail, membuat pembaca seperti benar-benar dibawa ke Jepang di masa lalu. Seperti menonton sebuah film aksi, setiap adegan diceritakan dengan hati-hati, terutama adegan pertarungan pedang yang luar biasa. Aku mungkin tidak paham betul dengan seni beladiri maupun pedang, tetapi dalam Kaze, semuanya tergambar jelas, sehingga mampu dipahami oleh pembaca awam sepertiku.
Alurnya begitu mengalir, hingga aku tidak sadar sudah sampai di halaman terakhir. Seperti halnya cerita dongeng dan legenda, Dendam di Istana Giok menyuguhkan kisah sarat moral dan filosofi yang digambarkan melalui karakter setiap tokohnya, dan juga haiku-haiku yang menjadi bumbu keasyikan dalam buku ini. Sebuah buku yang luar biasa.
Menceritakan tentang ronin yang mencari anak perempuan Tuan Putrinya, petualangan Kaze sampai pada misteri dalam sebuah rumah. Ada satu-dua hal yang mudah ditebak dalam buku ini, tetapi tetap saja ada kejutan-kejutan menarik yang disiapkan oleh Dale Furutani untuk para pembacanya.
Kaze mungkin tampak terlalu sempurna, tetapi setiap hal yang dia lakukan tetap manusiawi—dia tetap saja bisa melakukan beberapa kesalahan. Kesempurnaan kepribadiannya lebih ditampakkan sebagai hasil latihannya dengan Sensei-nya. Kaze merupakan gambaran sebuah hasil ketekunan dan kebersihan hati dalam sebuah tempaan.
Di seri kedua ini, sekali lagi aku terbawa oleh kisah ronin aneh bernama Matsuyama Kaze ini, yang diceritakan dengan begitu baik oleh Dale Furutani. Pembawaan ceritanya begitu detail, membuat pembaca seperti benar-benar dibawa ke Jepang di masa lalu. Seperti menonton sebuah film aksi, setiap adegan diceritakan dengan hati-hati, terutama adegan pertarungan pedang yang luar biasa. Aku mungkin tidak paham betul dengan seni beladiri maupun pedang, tetapi dalam Kaze, semuanya tergambar jelas, sehingga mampu dipahami oleh pembaca awam sepertiku.
Alurnya begitu mengalir, hingga aku tidak sadar sudah sampai di halaman terakhir. Seperti halnya cerita dongeng dan legenda, Dendam di Istana Giok menyuguhkan kisah sarat moral dan filosofi yang digambarkan melalui karakter setiap tokohnya, dan juga haiku-haiku yang menjadi bumbu keasyikan dalam buku ini. Sebuah buku yang luar biasa.
June 29, 2008
Second book in the Samurai series set in medieval Japan.
The main character, Kaze, the masterless ronin, is continuing his search for the daughter of his dead lord. The lord was on the losing side of a battle to determine who would be the next Shogun. His daughter was sold off by a vengeful lord on the winning side. Kaze has been given a duty to find her and rescue her.
In this book the fact that Kaze is a wanted criminal because he was on the losing side comes more to the front, and inhibits some of his actions.
He is caught up with a wealthy merchant who is obsessed with his wife, a crazy grandmother on a mission of sanctioned revenge, thieves who are after the merchant, and a mystery about the merchant, his wife, and his enemies.
The book is well written and has interesting information about Japan of that time. The main character is well done. Overall the book is quick, light read.
The main character, Kaze, the masterless ronin, is continuing his search for the daughter of his dead lord. The lord was on the losing side of a battle to determine who would be the next Shogun. His daughter was sold off by a vengeful lord on the winning side. Kaze has been given a duty to find her and rescue her.
In this book the fact that Kaze is a wanted criminal because he was on the losing side comes more to the front, and inhibits some of his actions.
He is caught up with a wealthy merchant who is obsessed with his wife, a crazy grandmother on a mission of sanctioned revenge, thieves who are after the merchant, and a mystery about the merchant, his wife, and his enemies.
The book is well written and has interesting information about Japan of that time. The main character is well done. Overall the book is quick, light read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2016
Tandis que Matsuyama Kaze le samouraï, suit la route du Tokaido sur la piste de la fille de son ancien maître, enlevée trois ans auparavant, il sauve la vie d'un homme attaqué par des bandits. La victime, un marchand nommé Hishigawa, prend Kaze à son service pour qu'il l'accompagne jusqu'à sa somptueuse demeure de Kamakura. Là, le samouraï découvre vite qu'Hishigawa est un personnage trouble et il devient bientôt clair que dans la vie dorée du marchand, tout n'est qu'illusion. Détourné une fois de plus de sa mission, Matsuyama Kaze va pénétrer au cœur des secrets décadents du palais de Jade. Avec son héros non conventionnel, Dale Furutani nous fait découvrir toutes les beautés et les mystères du Japon féodal.
September 17, 2013
I am once again surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. This is the second installment to a trilogy by Dale Furutani, about a ronin (or wandering samurai) named Kaze. Unfortunately, I do not have the third book to the trilogy, but I just cannot imagine being left in the dark about what happens, so it looks like I'll have to find it somewhere. The writing style in both of the first two books was engaging, entertaining, and well-written. The main character is likable, and the background information the author adds in about Japan makes the story even better. I would recommend this series to others.
July 6, 2020
Sepertinya halnya kisah-kisah pada umumnya, selalu ada benang merah di temoat yang tidak terduga. Singgahnya Kaze di Istana Giok seolah melenceng dari tugas dan tidak ada sangkut pautnya dengan putri tuannya yang hilang. Tapi apa jadinya jika penghuni Istana Giok mengetahui keberadaan sang putri dan menempatkan Kaze dalam posisi yang sulit?
September 5, 2009
Ooh, I think perhaps even better than the first. I really like our hero, and very much enjoy the time and place setting. I was pretty sure I knew who the missing samurai was early on, but I was basing my opinion on the conventions of a novel, so no blame to the character for not detecting it!
August 25, 2016
Kinda falls apart near the end and Kaze is too "perfect" a character. Perfect fighter, never in any real danger, knows all the right people, has had all the right lessons, etc.
The trilogy's overall story took an interesting turn, so I'll likely finish it up one day.
The trilogy's overall story took an interesting turn, so I'll likely finish it up one day.
March 17, 2010
Crtany mnrik, lum bca bku lnjutnny. .Trsngka -yg mmbli dn mmnta aq bwt bca- tdk brtnggungjwb utk mnruskn bku ini.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews