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Matsuyama Kaze #1
Death at the Crossroads
A Japanese errant, ronin-turned-sleuth Matsuyama Kaze must journey across Japan in search of his ruler's missing young daughter, but his quest is interrupted by his discovery by the corpse of a murder victim and a colorful, untrustworthy cast of suspects.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1998
48 people are currently reading
615 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 58 reviews
October 7, 2015
Attention readers: the main character in this series is a version of Toshiro Mifune's lovable wandering samurai character developed in Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro". In the period that directly followed the famous Battle of Sekigahara, 1604 (?), many samurai who had been loyal retainers and employees of the feudal lords lost their homes and their positions when these warlords were hung for treason and their assets and property redistributed. War Does that--it creates refugees, it breaks up established communities, it causes the break down of society. These samurai--some of them were sufferers of PTSD--wandered the countryside for years looking for a new home, a meal, or their lost identity. These early salary men were devastated. I've read a statistic that as many as 35% of the population of the main island of Japan was displaced for a generation. During that time these wandering, unemployed samurai were called ronin--wave men. They contributed to brigandry and the lack of safety along the roads for a hundred years until the military created the Edo road which was highly controlled and patrolled and contributed Japan's new Economic boon. In the meantime, figures like Sanjuro/Kaze, who upheld the strict tenets of bushido and zen Buddhism were necessary cultural legends, much as the high plains drifter was in the American west after the Civil War.
I Loved these books! Loved 'em so much in fact I wrote to Mr. Furutani to ask him why he wasn't writing the series any more. He said he was too busy with his life. Can you imagine that? That his life was so awesome and fulfilled that he'd done what he set out to do and he didn't need to do it any more? If anyone deserves a good life, the author of this gentle and wonderful series does.
I Loved these books! Loved 'em so much in fact I wrote to Mr. Furutani to ask him why he wasn't writing the series any more. He said he was too busy with his life. Can you imagine that? That his life was so awesome and fulfilled that he'd done what he set out to do and he didn't need to do it any more? If anyone deserves a good life, the author of this gentle and wonderful series does.
July 27, 2015
Despite it's subtitle of "A Samurai Murder Mystery", I would really only classify this loosely as a mystery.
That lone caveat aside, I found this to be quite an enjoyable, fast-paced read, peopled with well-developed characters in an unusual setting, with an intriguing flavor all it's own. (With added bonus points for the fact that [artistic license aside] the historical setting seems very well-researched and accurate.)
I'm certainly intrigued enough to continue to the 2nd book in the trilogy!
That lone caveat aside, I found this to be quite an enjoyable, fast-paced read, peopled with well-developed characters in an unusual setting, with an intriguing flavor all it's own. (With added bonus points for the fact that [artistic license aside] the historical setting seems very well-researched and accurate.)
I'm certainly intrigued enough to continue to the 2nd book in the trilogy!
December 11, 2014
Dato lo strano nome dell'autore, non potevo esimermi dall'indagare un po' sulla sua biografia. La quarta di copertina mi ha aiutato nello scoprire le origini sostanzialmente americane di questo scrittore. Inutile dire che, capito questo, ho capito molte cose su questo libro.
Agguato all'Incrocio ��, a tutti gli effetti, un prodotto decisamente troppo strano da porre all'interno del panorama giapponese moderno. La sovrabbondanza di informazioni la fa da padrona, quella cosa che io ho imparato a chiamare inforigurgito: ed ecco che, da una parola, possono prender piede diverse righe di spiegazioni enciclopediche completamente fuori luogo, assolutamente non necessarie. E se questo, come fattore di pesantezza, non fosse abbastanza, ecco che ci si mette anche uno stile eccessivamente pieno di se, pomposo e a tratti irritante, dello scrittore che cerca di usare i paroloni per fare bella figura. L'ostentazione della cultura giapponese, infine, �� tale da mettere in dubbio che Furutani abbia effettivamente delle conoscenze del proprio paese d'origine che vadano oltre il sentito dire.
A volerne trovare, di difetti, in Agguato all'Incrocio ne troviamo a bizeffe: dal contadino decisamente mal caratterizzato, ai problemi di cui sopra, ad alcune cadute di stile dell'autore nelle descrizioni, all'uso di espressioni in lingua giapponese tradotte immediatamente piuttosto che in nota. Nonostante tutto, la storia �� appassionante e gli elementi di cultura, anche se quasi opprimenti, non mancano di stuzzicare un po' la curiosit�� del lettore.
Edito da: Marcos Y Marcos. Peccato per il contenuto, perch�� il prodotto �� davvero buono. Soprattutto la copertina, di un materiale un po' inusuale ma molto piacevole al tatto.
Agguato all'Incrocio ��, a tutti gli effetti, un prodotto decisamente troppo strano da porre all'interno del panorama giapponese moderno. La sovrabbondanza di informazioni la fa da padrona, quella cosa che io ho imparato a chiamare inforigurgito: ed ecco che, da una parola, possono prender piede diverse righe di spiegazioni enciclopediche completamente fuori luogo, assolutamente non necessarie. E se questo, come fattore di pesantezza, non fosse abbastanza, ecco che ci si mette anche uno stile eccessivamente pieno di se, pomposo e a tratti irritante, dello scrittore che cerca di usare i paroloni per fare bella figura. L'ostentazione della cultura giapponese, infine, �� tale da mettere in dubbio che Furutani abbia effettivamente delle conoscenze del proprio paese d'origine che vadano oltre il sentito dire.
A volerne trovare, di difetti, in Agguato all'Incrocio ne troviamo a bizeffe: dal contadino decisamente mal caratterizzato, ai problemi di cui sopra, ad alcune cadute di stile dell'autore nelle descrizioni, all'uso di espressioni in lingua giapponese tradotte immediatamente piuttosto che in nota. Nonostante tutto, la storia �� appassionante e gli elementi di cultura, anche se quasi opprimenti, non mancano di stuzzicare un po' la curiosit�� del lettore.
Edito da: Marcos Y Marcos. Peccato per il contenuto, perch�� il prodotto �� davvero buono. Soprattutto la copertina, di un materiale un po' inusuale ma molto piacevole al tatto.
February 12, 2021
Considering this is my first samurai book (and I love samurais) + reading Caraval, maybe the worst book I've ever read, before this, that 5/5 rating may change after another reading... but for now, what an awesome aventure with Samurai Jack in a Kurosawa story!
January 30, 2022
In the wake of the Battle of Sekigahara, samurai Matsuyama Kaze made a promise to the Lady whose husband he was sworn to shortly before she died: To find her daughter, who was taken captive to be sold into slavery by enemy forces. This series opener finds him wandering Japan as a ronin in 1603, still on his quest to track down the missing girl which has now lasted several years. On his journey, he comes across the body of a man murdered with an arrow at a crossroads leading to a village and becomes embroiled in the lives of an assortment of locals, from a charcoal seller to the magistrate, the local lord, the village prostitute, and a bunch of bandits.
It's fascinating setting which the author does a good job bringing to life. At times the pace was a little too slow and some of the lengthy flashback scenes weren't really necessary. Furutani also clearly wrote this with an audience that knows nothing whatsoever about the time and place the book is set in in mind, providing a lot of explanations of very basic terms, customs and the like that bogged the whole thing down further. Nevertheless, it was quite an entertaining read and I will likely pick up the next one.
It's fascinating setting which the author does a good job bringing to life. At times the pace was a little too slow and some of the lengthy flashback scenes weren't really necessary. Furutani also clearly wrote this with an audience that knows nothing whatsoever about the time and place the book is set in in mind, providing a lot of explanations of very basic terms, customs and the like that bogged the whole thing down further. Nevertheless, it was quite an entertaining read and I will likely pick up the next one.
July 4, 2025
Kaze è un ronin alla ricerca della figlia del suo vecchio padrone. Nel suo cammino di ricerca si imbatte in un caso di omicidio sospetto.
Bel mix di giallo e storia orientale. L'ambientazione giapponese è resa benissimo anche nei dettagli.
Ho riso e pianto, soddisfattissimo
Bel mix di giallo e storia orientale. L'ambientazione giapponese è resa benissimo anche nei dettagli.
Ho riso e pianto, soddisfattissimo
November 19, 2013
Death at the Crossroads is a unique entry into the mystery genre, the first in a trilogy. It takes place in 1603 in feudal Japan, and its main character, Matsuyama Kaze, is a ronin (without a master) samurai who is on a quest to search for his late master's young daughter. As he travels from village to village, he encounters unusual happenings. In the precinct of Higashi he sees at a distance a man looking at a body at the intersection of 4 roads. The man, Jiro, is a poor charcoal seller in the local village; and the local district lord wants the murder pinned on him, guilty or not. Kaze interprets the evidence that is available and attempts to prove Jiro innocent. At the same time, he unmasks a demon that has terrorized another local village.
Kaze is a master of wordplay as well as swordplay. In spite of his role as an avenger who kills without compunction in the name of justice, he has much compassion for others and does not relish the act of death. He treats everyone that he meets with respect, even amazing Jiro by speaking to him in spite of the difference in their social levels.
I really wanted to like this book, but it left me unsatisfied in a number of ways. First of all, the characters were almost entirely one-dimensional. Secondly, although I appreciated the details of daily life of Japan in the 1600s, I often felt that the author's research was showing, and the interesting little historical tidbits weren't always integrated seamlessly into the narrative. In spite of that, this book is worth reading for its fascinating view of a time and place that are unknown to the average reader.
Kaze is a master of wordplay as well as swordplay. In spite of his role as an avenger who kills without compunction in the name of justice, he has much compassion for others and does not relish the act of death. He treats everyone that he meets with respect, even amazing Jiro by speaking to him in spite of the difference in their social levels.
I really wanted to like this book, but it left me unsatisfied in a number of ways. First of all, the characters were almost entirely one-dimensional. Secondly, although I appreciated the details of daily life of Japan in the 1600s, I often felt that the author's research was showing, and the interesting little historical tidbits weren't always integrated seamlessly into the narrative. In spite of that, this book is worth reading for its fascinating view of a time and place that are unknown to the average reader.
August 24, 2010
I like good historical novels in any genre including, or perhaps especially, mysteries. Dale Furutani's Samurai Trilogy fills the bill on all counts. Each book is a fun read in itself, with a great plot; the series holds together well as a unit, with the overall quest or metaplot holding my attention throughout. These books also meet my number one standard for historical fiction -- they teach me a significant amount about a time and place. Of course there are few if any historical settings about which I know enough to fully judge whether what I am being "taught" is accurate and informative, but I get a sense of versimillitude from these books which ranks with other top quality historical fiction. A fun read and some painless education; a twofer, and why I read so much historical fiction.
October 1, 2020
This review is for all three books in the Matsuyama Kaze set.
If you are going in hoping for a 'detective story', you will be disappointed. If you can't figure out the 'who done it' almost immediately in this, not good.
The series is also riddled with flashbacks. While I normally despise flashbacks, these were moderately interesting and didn't always last overly long.
There is also a completely unnatural (brief) supernatural element that has been put in what is otherwise a 'grounded' story. If the supernatural stuff had been instead switched to a dream sequence it would have been better as it doesn't really fit the rest of the books. Also, it's just a 'hurry up' false immediacy device for a quest whose time is measured in *years*. Dumb.
So why did I keep reading? I've boiled it down to two reasons -
The MC is likeable and aside from the author sometimes pushing him into doing something that is obviously stupid for 'plot reasons', acts mostly sensibly. [See below in the 'spoiler' section for an example.]
A flavoring of historical Japan.
spoilers
spoilers
Well, just one spoiler
But you get a classical Japanese story in with it.
In the first book the MC goes back to the peasants' hut. Despite having all sorts of bad feelings about going in the hut, the peasant not answering, etc - the author turns the MC into a dumbass and he goes into the hut only to have a net dropped on him and beaten the shit out of.
This reminds me of some classical Japanese story (parable? Don't know) that I can't remember the name of but in short what happens is there are three youngsters who want to train with some old teacher. The teacher gives them each a sword and (separately) they go into a room where there is a 'cunning pillow trap' set up. Go in, pillow falls on you.
First guy - pillow falls, hits him and the guy cuts in it half before it hits the floor. Kid is beaten and ejected from the school forever. He sucks.
Second guy - manages to avoid the pillow. Told with heavy training he might become average or some such.
Third guy - won't go in the room because he feels something is wrong. This is the most promising student.
Hell, I'm not even Japanese and I've heard this story which I've probably misquoted but the basic point sticks and I've used the same training in my life often. [I don't live a standard life.] And thus far it has literally kept me alive.
So yeah - if you feel something is wrong going into a place and you go in - you lose my sympathy. Immediately.
That's why these books get a 3 star rating.
If you are going in hoping for a 'detective story', you will be disappointed. If you can't figure out the 'who done it' almost immediately in this, not good.
The series is also riddled with flashbacks. While I normally despise flashbacks, these were moderately interesting and didn't always last overly long.
There is also a completely unnatural (brief) supernatural element that has been put in what is otherwise a 'grounded' story. If the supernatural stuff had been instead switched to a dream sequence it would have been better as it doesn't really fit the rest of the books. Also, it's just a 'hurry up' false immediacy device for a quest whose time is measured in *years*. Dumb.
So why did I keep reading? I've boiled it down to two reasons -
The MC is likeable and aside from the author sometimes pushing him into doing something that is obviously stupid for 'plot reasons', acts mostly sensibly. [See below in the 'spoiler' section for an example.]
A flavoring of historical Japan.
spoilers
spoilers
Well, just one spoiler
But you get a classical Japanese story in with it.
In the first book the MC goes back to the peasants' hut. Despite having all sorts of bad feelings about going in the hut, the peasant not answering, etc - the author turns the MC into a dumbass and he goes into the hut only to have a net dropped on him and beaten the shit out of.
This reminds me of some classical Japanese story (parable? Don't know) that I can't remember the name of but in short what happens is there are three youngsters who want to train with some old teacher. The teacher gives them each a sword and (separately) they go into a room where there is a 'cunning pillow trap' set up. Go in, pillow falls on you.
First guy - pillow falls, hits him and the guy cuts in it half before it hits the floor. Kid is beaten and ejected from the school forever. He sucks.
Second guy - manages to avoid the pillow. Told with heavy training he might become average or some such.
Third guy - won't go in the room because he feels something is wrong. This is the most promising student.
Hell, I'm not even Japanese and I've heard this story which I've probably misquoted but the basic point sticks and I've used the same training in my life often. [I don't live a standard life.] And thus far it has literally kept me alive.
So yeah - if you feel something is wrong going into a place and you go in - you lose my sympathy. Immediately.
That's why these books get a 3 star rating.
January 4, 2024
Kaze is a ronin who has been tasked with finding his late lady's daughter. As he searches along the Japanese countryside, he comes about a peasant man who himself had stumbled upon a dead body at the crossroads. Kaze feels compelled to restore harmony to the district by finding the killer. Along the way, he meets possible suspects with their own potential motives. His observations, powers of deduction, strength, and compassion help him restore harmony before continuing on his main task.
Furutani is a skilled writer whose paragraphs are descriptive, concise, and informative. The dialogues and narrative were beautifully written, making me sometimes laugh, sometimes tear up, and, overall, learn about the nuances of a culture and time in history I scarcely knew about. The backdrop of the recent beginning of the shogunate in 1603 was also driving the book along.
I read some previous comments that this book did not read like a mystery. I do not read mystery books too often, but it felt like a cross between classic mystery and espionage fiction (a subgenre of mystery) as it had a honeypot (Aoi), a red herring (arrows, bows, one character I could have sworn would be the unlikely but probable killer), and more than one suspect.
I would definitely recommend this book. Furutani brings to life all the characters for better or for worse.
Furutani is a skilled writer whose paragraphs are descriptive, concise, and informative. The dialogues and narrative were beautifully written, making me sometimes laugh, sometimes tear up, and, overall, learn about the nuances of a culture and time in history I scarcely knew about. The backdrop of the recent beginning of the shogunate in 1603 was also driving the book along.
I read some previous comments that this book did not read like a mystery. I do not read mystery books too often, but it felt like a cross between classic mystery and espionage fiction (a subgenre of mystery) as it had a honeypot (Aoi), a red herring (arrows, bows, one character I could have sworn would be the unlikely but probable killer), and more than one suspect.
I would definitely recommend this book. Furutani brings to life all the characters for better or for worse.
May 11, 2021
Superb book.
This book gave me peace of mind, it was a smooth reading without bumps on the road . Dale Furutani's writing is beautiful and very easy to read. Just like the story, very simple but not boring at all, it has a good pace, with interesting information about the period scattered throughout the story, i liked that.
Even though most of the characters felt a little bit one-dimensional, i think they were interesting enough and served their purpose. I love Kaze, such an interesting and compelling character. He went through a lot in his life, he did a lot of things and still, he's willing to learn from his mistakes. It was impossible not to root for him since the start, very interesting character with a good mix of brains and skills.
Audiobook narrated by Jonathan Marosz: It was ok, he didn't add too much to the experience. Most of the voices were very similiar and the narration was very monotone.
Overall, i love this book, it was what i needed. I'm gonna read the next two without a doubt.
This book gave me peace of mind, it was a smooth reading without bumps on the road . Dale Furutani's writing is beautiful and very easy to read. Just like the story, very simple but not boring at all, it has a good pace, with interesting information about the period scattered throughout the story, i liked that.
Even though most of the characters felt a little bit one-dimensional, i think they were interesting enough and served their purpose. I love Kaze, such an interesting and compelling character. He went through a lot in his life, he did a lot of things and still, he's willing to learn from his mistakes. It was impossible not to root for him since the start, very interesting character with a good mix of brains and skills.
Audiobook narrated by Jonathan Marosz: It was ok, he didn't add too much to the experience. Most of the voices were very similiar and the narration was very monotone.
Overall, i love this book, it was what i needed. I'm gonna read the next two without a doubt.
August 8, 2025
"Agguato all’incrocio”; titolo originale: “Death at the Crossroad”; di Dale Furutami; traduzione di Erika Bianchi; edizioni Marcos y Marcos; Isbn 978-88-9294-127-4.
Bel romanzo di investigazione che si svolge nel Giappone del sedicesimo secolo.
Il protagonista, Matsuyama Kaze è un valente, saggio ed arguto samurai divenuto Ronin in seguito ai torbidi politici del tempo.
In nome di una promessa fatta alla moglie del suo daimyo, anziché commettere suicidio rituale alla morte del suo padrone, vaga per il Giappone nell’espiazione del suo voto, creando il contesto per le sue avventure.
Di per sé nulla di nuovo, se non che risulta ben ricostruita l’ambientazione fisica e sociale giapponese del tempo, mentre il protagonista risulta affascinante e, tutto sommato, credibile.
Bel romanzo di investigazione che si svolge nel Giappone del sedicesimo secolo.
Il protagonista, Matsuyama Kaze è un valente, saggio ed arguto samurai divenuto Ronin in seguito ai torbidi politici del tempo.
In nome di una promessa fatta alla moglie del suo daimyo, anziché commettere suicidio rituale alla morte del suo padrone, vaga per il Giappone nell’espiazione del suo voto, creando il contesto per le sue avventure.
Di per sé nulla di nuovo, se non che risulta ben ricostruita l’ambientazione fisica e sociale giapponese del tempo, mentre il protagonista risulta affascinante e, tutto sommato, credibile.
April 8, 2024
Con un finale elaborato a tavolino...
"Una farfalla si posa.
Eleganza inattesa
su una foglia tremolante."
(pagina 65)
"Kaze lo guardò, e rifletté sull'umana inclinazione a sopportare qualche miserabile secondo di vita in più in questo mondo scombinato; a volte non ne capiva il senso, specie perché tutti si sarebbero reincarnati e avrebbero vissuto ancora."
(pagina 74)
"Il gallo crede che il sole
esista per seguire il suo canto.
Noi crediamo di seguire il nostro cuore."
(pagina 200)
"Una farfalla si posa.
Eleganza inattesa
su una foglia tremolante."
(pagina 65)
"Kaze lo guardò, e rifletté sull'umana inclinazione a sopportare qualche miserabile secondo di vita in più in questo mondo scombinato; a volte non ne capiva il senso, specie perché tutti si sarebbero reincarnati e avrebbero vissuto ancora."
(pagina 74)
"Il gallo crede che il sole
esista per seguire il suo canto.
Noi crediamo di seguire il nostro cuore."
(pagina 200)
April 19, 2019
An OK story and an OK mystery. Some of the sentences are quite impressive. Much better than regular detective stories. I like the spirituality that emanates from some of them. The mystery in itself was not as captivating as other Japanese detective historical stories, but I want to read a few more books in the series before I decide. Overall a solid 4, with potential for 5 on the second or third book in the series.
July 17, 2019
OK but not great
I have read a number of Japanese novels in translation and often they are written in a cultural context which doesn’t provide a quick and engaging read. Furutani does accomplish that even though some of the asides about cultural practices distract from the rhythm of the writing. Will read the remains 2 in the trilogy.
I have read a number of Japanese novels in translation and often they are written in a cultural context which doesn’t provide a quick and engaging read. Furutani does accomplish that even though some of the asides about cultural practices distract from the rhythm of the writing. Will read the remains 2 in the trilogy.
June 20, 2024
Ho sempre posticipato l'inizio di questo libro perché avevo troppe serie in corso, ma ora ne ho finite un paio e ho bisogno di un po' di coccole così me lo sono concesso.
Sì, per me, un libro coccole è un buon giallo o thriller scritto come Dio comanda e con un protagonista forte e virile, quindi ne sono rimasta molto soddisfatta.
Sì, per me, un libro coccole è un buon giallo o thriller scritto come Dio comanda e con un protagonista forte e virile, quindi ne sono rimasta molto soddisfatta.
October 27, 2024
Un libro diverso dai miei soliti generi, per il mio gusto troppo carico di dettagli e la storia procede lenta, anche vero che è il primo libro di una saga che affronta il Giappone in un’ottica mai letta prima, avendo come protagonista un samurai solitario.
Proseguirò con la lettura perché ha suscitato in me curiosità, tuttavia non rientrerà tra le letture migliori di questo anno!
Proseguirò con la lettura perché ha suscitato in me curiosità, tuttavia non rientrerà tra le letture migliori di questo anno!
March 4, 2018
loved il
August 26, 2018
Écriture un peu basique mais contexte et fond intéressant sur l’ère Edo
September 26, 2020
A samurai detective story. If you are at all into these two things, then this book is as cool as it sounds.
March 2, 2021
3.45
This was a fun little murder mystery.
This was a fun little murder mystery.
April 17, 2021
I mean, the story is pretty solid and all. It shows the politics of the medieval Japan, alongside it's folklore. But it has a "To be continued..." at the end. Is there a part 2 of this novel?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2021
This was quite a surprise.
Better than I expected.
Better than I expected.
February 14, 2024
Quite light read mystery novel that have Japanese feodal setting as a valuable of this book.
February 24, 2024
A Decent Read.
If you like the genre, then you’ll like the book.
Plenty of historical/educational snippets etc. lots of wisdom, too.
Samurai Well Done.
If you like the genre, then you’ll like the book.
Plenty of historical/educational snippets etc. lots of wisdom, too.
Samurai Well Done.
August 15, 2024
Un giallo carino, ambientato in un'epoca lontana, che offre un piacevole svago. Ho molto apprezzato la traduzione, curata e ben fatta. Kaze è un personaggio interessante e ironico.
didn-t-finish
January 14, 2025I don't really know how the book turns out. I was enjoying it but once it started talking about taking an 11 year old girl as a concubine it took me completely out of it.
July 12, 2025
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il proseguo!
July 25, 2025
Une pointe d'orientalisme qui est presque touchante vu le profil de l'auteur
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews