Servant of the Shogun

by Richard L. Tames

Having reached Japan in 1600 after a perilous journey, this enterprising young Englishman entered an extraordinary career as a powerful shogun's aid (whose adventures served as a model for the hero of James Clavell's bestseller Shogun & TV miniseries). Based on Adams's diaries & journals & letters of Japanese, English & other contemporary Europeans, Tames, a staff member at the University of London's School of Oriental & African Studies, depicts the era's unrest caused by Japanese factional wars, rivalry between Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch & English traders, & feuding Jesuit & Franciscan missionaries. As interpreter & diplomat at court, Adams successfully represented the interests of the East India Company in the face of Japanese ambivalence toward foreigners. He remained in Japan until his death in 1620, leaving an estate divided between two wives--one in England & one in Japan--& their offspring.--Publisher's Weekly

Genres: History

Hardcover

First published January 15, 1981

About the author

Richard Lawrence Tames, born 30 January 1946, lectures on history at Syracuse University London and is a Blue Badge guide.

Tames is also a Lecturer on London’s history for the Institute of Tourist Guiding. He has written over twenty books on different aspects of English history, including Shakespeare’s London on 5 Groats a Day.

Reviews

[Miriam]

Upon the popularity of the novel and mini-series "Shogun" I read this because it provides the true story of Will Adams. I visited the park in Tokyo where he is memorialized.