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The Samurai Detectives #1
The Samurai Detectives
Shogun meets Sherlock Holmes! Over 24 million copies have been sold of this beloved samurai adventure.
It has been half a year since Akiyama Daijiro became a samurai; half a year since he left his father Kohei – once the most skilled swordsman in the land – to set up his own blade school by the cool of the river. Ever since, amid the swaying bamboo groves, he waits patiently for his first disciple.
But his serenity is soon disrupted by the visit of a mysterious samurai with an unhonourable in exchange for a vast sum of gold, he must attack and injure the daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor. Troubled by the proposal, Daijiro, alongside his father and Mifuyu, a female warrior without match, soon set out into the underworld of Edo-era Japan to uncover the conspiracy, before quickly finding themselves embroiled in a series of increasingly perilous adventures . . .
Widely considered to be the greatest work by Shōtarō Ikenami, the master of Japanese historical fiction, The Samurai Detectives is a twisting, page-turning portrayal of one of the most intriguing, evocative periods in the history of Japan.
It has been half a year since Akiyama Daijiro became a samurai; half a year since he left his father Kohei – once the most skilled swordsman in the land – to set up his own blade school by the cool of the river. Ever since, amid the swaying bamboo groves, he waits patiently for his first disciple.
But his serenity is soon disrupted by the visit of a mysterious samurai with an unhonourable in exchange for a vast sum of gold, he must attack and injure the daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor. Troubled by the proposal, Daijiro, alongside his father and Mifuyu, a female warrior without match, soon set out into the underworld of Edo-era Japan to uncover the conspiracy, before quickly finding themselves embroiled in a series of increasingly perilous adventures . . .
Widely considered to be the greatest work by Shōtarō Ikenami, the master of Japanese historical fiction, The Samurai Detectives is a twisting, page-turning portrayal of one of the most intriguing, evocative periods in the history of Japan.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 21, 2025
Set in Japan in the 1770s, initially published in the 1970s, this is the first in Shōtarō Ikenami’s hugely successful series. It originally appeared in serial form and was later adapted for TV and as manga. An interesting mix of episodic and character-led, it features a father-and-son duo who team up with numerous allies to solve mysteries and derail potential crimes. Daijiro is a highly-talented swordsman just like his father the retired samurai Kohei - who’s partly inspired by one of Ikenami’s favourite Kabuki actors. They’re followers of the Zen-like Mugai-ryū school. Despite his growing reputation as an excellent fighter, Daijiro’s newly-opened, rural dojo isn’t attracting students. Since this is a period of relative peace other suitable work’s scarce. This leads to Daijiro being singled out for a lucrative, clandestine assignment that involves disabling another swordfighter, something which violates Daijiro’s rigid code of honour. Daijiro turns to his father for advice. Living close to what’s now Tokyo, Kohei’s embroiled in a relationship with his much, much younger maidservant but otherwise finding retirement less relaxing than anticipated. So, he agrees to help Daijiro look into the curious task on offer. Their investigation brings them into contact with up-and-coming swordswoman Mifuyu. Loosely based on real-life Sasaka Rui, the androgynous Mifuyu’s the highly-skilled daughter of a powerful local figure’s former concubine. Their meeting sets the scene for a series of solo and combined adventures.
I wasn’t sure about this at first, the opening chapter’s dry and rather dense introducing a bewildering array of characters and background information. However, after I worked out who was who and what was what, I became increasingly gripped. Ikenami blends lyrical descriptive passages and arresting nature imagery with the more matter-of-fact – I can see why his work’s drawn comparisons with Sherlock Holmes. I really enjoyed the historical aspects and the exploration of samurai codes and culture: from the acceptability of queer relationships to expressive bonds of loyalty. And I was impressed by Ikenami’s examination of issues around mortality, nostalgia and generational divides. I was less keen on his portrayal of Kohei as irresistible to women including Mifuyu who has a crush on him - apparently this aspect is less marked in later books. Otherwise, I’m really looking forward to the next instalment. Translated by Yuj Kajita.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Penguin for an ARC
I wasn’t sure about this at first, the opening chapter’s dry and rather dense introducing a bewildering array of characters and background information. However, after I worked out who was who and what was what, I became increasingly gripped. Ikenami blends lyrical descriptive passages and arresting nature imagery with the more matter-of-fact – I can see why his work’s drawn comparisons with Sherlock Holmes. I really enjoyed the historical aspects and the exploration of samurai codes and culture: from the acceptability of queer relationships to expressive bonds of loyalty. And I was impressed by Ikenami’s examination of issues around mortality, nostalgia and generational divides. I was less keen on his portrayal of Kohei as irresistible to women including Mifuyu who has a crush on him - apparently this aspect is less marked in later books. Otherwise, I’m really looking forward to the next instalment. Translated by Yuj Kajita.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Penguin for an ARC
December 1, 2025
Hell yeah, this book fuckin rips. I unironically believe it's older books like this that will solve the male reading crisis. We've gone too far into thinking world building makes a book better, they're too big. But a book small enough to fit in your pocket with a new mystery every 30-40 pages, with a cast of endearing characters? Fuck yeah that's the good stuff. I also think that one of the best things about this book is the characters aren't morons in order to advance the plot, which is such a common crutch in contemporary fiction. (Especially genre fiction which has for the most part just become an extension of YA).
If you're after an easy read, don't pick up some "cosy fiction" or some romance with the writing of a middle grade fiction but with sex, grab yourself a book with some god damn sword fights, political intrigue, murder plots and a great cast of characters.
If you're after an easy read, don't pick up some "cosy fiction" or some romance with the writing of a middle grade fiction but with sex, grab yourself a book with some god damn sword fights, political intrigue, murder plots and a great cast of characters.
January 3, 2026
No início foi complicado seguir com tantos nomes estrangeiros mas depois até se tornou uma leitura fácil. Foi giro mas gostava que tivesse mais enigma e uma história mais completa em vez de pequenas histórias.
3.5
3.5
January 24, 2026
Positives:
• samurai sword fights
• father and son detectives
• intriguing historical facts surrounding political structures, treatment of women, etc
• it’s surprisingly queer!
Negatives:
I don’t know if it was common in Japanese writing at the time, but the over-abundant need to name every major and minor geographical location along with detailing each character’s social position is so off-putting, distracting, and damaging to the rhythm of the read, that I kept wanting to put the book down. I wanted to spend some time in the key settings. There are beautiful moments of description but they’re rare and brief. I also would’ve loved more of the key characters’ pasts. Maybe there is more in the subsequent soon-to-be published volumes, but I’ve had my fill. Disappointing.
• samurai sword fights
• father and son detectives
• intriguing historical facts surrounding political structures, treatment of women, etc
• it’s surprisingly queer!
Negatives:
I don’t know if it was common in Japanese writing at the time, but the over-abundant need to name every major and minor geographical location along with detailing each character’s social position is so off-putting, distracting, and damaging to the rhythm of the read, that I kept wanting to put the book down. I wanted to spend some time in the key settings. There are beautiful moments of description but they’re rare and brief. I also would’ve loved more of the key characters’ pasts. Maybe there is more in the subsequent soon-to-be published volumes, but I’ve had my fill. Disappointing.
September 5, 2025
A classic from Japan, set in the Edo period. A retired Samurai finds himself drawn into the affairs of the ruling class. He is joined by his son (a samurai) and a female Swords woman m in his adventures. Historically accurate and the translation is good.
October 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐
I am trying to read more diverse and this was honestly something completely new for me! The Samurai Detectives is set in 1770's Japan, a period and country I am rather unfamiliar with. This book was originally published in the '70s and is now finally available in English. Apparently it's a real hit over there, so I am very curious to see how it will land in English, more 50 years later.
In this books, we follow Daijiro and his father Kohei, who are both samurai. When receiving an unhonourable request to injure the daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor, both Daijiro and his father set out on a quest to go undercover into the world of conspiracies. We dive deeper into the Edo-era of Japan and learn a lot about samurai culture. I was unfamiliar with both so I cannot comment on the historical accuracy but I read that this book is supposed to be quite accurate.
The story reminds a little of Sherlock Holmes with all the mystery solving, undercover actions, and investigating. I really enjoyed this focus because it kept the story flowing and interesting. There were never any big plottwists but small revelations kept me engaged.
While there were a lot of terms that were, at first, unfamiliar, I did find this story to be quite an easy read. There are quite a lot of characters so I would suggest you take your time with this one. It's a small book (less than 300 pages) but offers a lot. Yes, there's a lot of difficult terms but you'll soon find yourself drawn to the characters, their lives and their journeys.
It is important to keep in mind that this book was, as mentioned before, written in the the 1970's and talks about the 1770's. I had some real issues with Kohei at times, but this is not a modern day book so you cannot expect a modern day approach to everything.
I am trying to read more diverse and this was honestly something completely new for me! The Samurai Detectives is set in 1770's Japan, a period and country I am rather unfamiliar with. This book was originally published in the '70s and is now finally available in English. Apparently it's a real hit over there, so I am very curious to see how it will land in English, more 50 years later.
In this books, we follow Daijiro and his father Kohei, who are both samurai. When receiving an unhonourable request to injure the daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor, both Daijiro and his father set out on a quest to go undercover into the world of conspiracies. We dive deeper into the Edo-era of Japan and learn a lot about samurai culture. I was unfamiliar with both so I cannot comment on the historical accuracy but I read that this book is supposed to be quite accurate.
The story reminds a little of Sherlock Holmes with all the mystery solving, undercover actions, and investigating. I really enjoyed this focus because it kept the story flowing and interesting. There were never any big plottwists but small revelations kept me engaged.
While there were a lot of terms that were, at first, unfamiliar, I did find this story to be quite an easy read. There are quite a lot of characters so I would suggest you take your time with this one. It's a small book (less than 300 pages) but offers a lot. Yes, there's a lot of difficult terms but you'll soon find yourself drawn to the characters, their lives and their journeys.
It is important to keep in mind that this book was, as mentioned before, written in the the 1970's and talks about the 1770's. I had some real issues with Kohei at times, but this is not a modern day book so you cannot expect a modern day approach to everything.
January 13, 2026
Whilst I give a lot of my reviews 5 stars, I just keep reading bangers.
The Samurai Detectives, is a thrilling collection of interconnected stories of intrigue,drama, assassination & revenge - all held together by Kohei San and his interactions of 18th century Edo(Tokyo nowadays).
Like Sherlock Holmes, a captivating mystery that develops naturally but becomes that requires action. But unlike Holmes where genius level intellect is required to produce these solutions, an experienced samurai solves the problems with flare, drama and sometimes sword play.
Only iffy parts are the age gap of Kohei and his Partner Oharu and the translation. Having got a minor amount of Japanese under my belt it helped contextualise the words a little bit but I throughly enjoyed what was written and how. Whilst it might have been a different experience in Japanese directly the plot and characterisations would change. But overall definitely a 5 star book and excited to read more of their stories.
The Samurai Detectives, is a thrilling collection of interconnected stories of intrigue,drama, assassination & revenge - all held together by Kohei San and his interactions of 18th century Edo(Tokyo nowadays).
Like Sherlock Holmes, a captivating mystery that develops naturally but becomes that requires action. But unlike Holmes where genius level intellect is required to produce these solutions, an experienced samurai solves the problems with flare, drama and sometimes sword play.
Only iffy parts are the age gap of Kohei and his Partner Oharu and the translation. Having got a minor amount of Japanese under my belt it helped contextualise the words a little bit but I throughly enjoyed what was written and how. Whilst it might have been a different experience in Japanese directly the plot and characterisations would change. But overall definitely a 5 star book and excited to read more of their stories.
December 11, 2025
The title had me believing that this would be a mystery novel but is really wasn’t. This was more of a historical period piece about the day to day life of a man and his adult son with a hint of intrigue.
February 19, 2026
From short-king demigods and gay archers to femboy and tomboy samurai alike, these stories genuinely have something for everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2026
Delightful reading in the old style. Very enjoyable.
December 24, 2025
A rip roaring episodic Edo period crime/action novel. A very fun read with endearing characters. As a big Jidaigeki (Japanese period drama) fan, its great to see more examples of the kind of mass market serialized stories that provided much of the source material. It is suprising how little has been translated into english. Already looking forward to the next instalment.
August 9, 2025
The Samurai Detectives sounds like slightly mad mash up of genres, but this is, apparently, a Japanese classic story. Those looking for a gonzo mix of katana and magnifying glass might not have all their wishes fulfilled, but this set of adventures and problems, told in a measured style, with sword fights and dishonourable dealings to sort out has much to recommend it.
The samurai involved are not generally detectives in the classic sense, they find themselves connected to or involved in events that involve some danger to others or a mystery to look into. Out of a sense of duty or friendship or loyalty they try to sort them out.
One of the books best parts is its view of another culture and another time. It is set during Japan’s Edo period: a long period of peace and the role of the samurai has changed from that of knight and warrior to something more like gentleman. Parts are familiar, others not at all. Modern western readers may find our central character’s almost mystical abilities, as a master swordsman, reminder of how martial arts reflect not just fighting, but philosophy and spiritual enlightenment; we might be surprised by the reference to income at the introduction of each new character; a character whose desire to fight only arrives when he realises but that his opponent is far more deadly than he had thought in a duel likely to end with the loss of his life, shows an aspect of the samurai thought process we may not naturally share. Other readers may find our central character’s attractiveness to young women some 40 odd years his junior puzzling (and for some perhaps a little disturbing). It would be a shame to let that put you off, however. Modern readers might also be interested in the young woman who acts as a samurai too and whose life becomes entangled with the main character and his son.
The telling of the tale is easy to read. The author’s voice conversational. There is much to enjoy in its portrait of a very different world.
If the concept appeals, it’s worth having a read
Advance copy supplied in return for honest review.
The samurai involved are not generally detectives in the classic sense, they find themselves connected to or involved in events that involve some danger to others or a mystery to look into. Out of a sense of duty or friendship or loyalty they try to sort them out.
One of the books best parts is its view of another culture and another time. It is set during Japan’s Edo period: a long period of peace and the role of the samurai has changed from that of knight and warrior to something more like gentleman. Parts are familiar, others not at all. Modern western readers may find our central character’s almost mystical abilities, as a master swordsman, reminder of how martial arts reflect not just fighting, but philosophy and spiritual enlightenment; we might be surprised by the reference to income at the introduction of each new character; a character whose desire to fight only arrives when he realises but that his opponent is far more deadly than he had thought in a duel likely to end with the loss of his life, shows an aspect of the samurai thought process we may not naturally share. Other readers may find our central character’s attractiveness to young women some 40 odd years his junior puzzling (and for some perhaps a little disturbing). It would be a shame to let that put you off, however. Modern readers might also be interested in the young woman who acts as a samurai too and whose life becomes entangled with the main character and his son.
The telling of the tale is easy to read. The author’s voice conversational. There is much to enjoy in its portrait of a very different world.
If the concept appeals, it’s worth having a read
Advance copy supplied in return for honest review.
October 26, 2025
Shotaro Ikenami was a famous Japanese author of books and plays. First as a playwright in the 1950s and then a novelist from the mid-1950s. In the 1960 he started writing period stories, set in the Edo era, some with a crime element. The Samurai Detectives Volume 1 (translated by Yui Kajita) is a collection of his stories from the 1970s, also set in this era. In them Ikenami is as interested in the social manoeuvrings of the time as he is with any crimes or their investigation.
The central characters of these stories are a retired swordsman called Akiyama Kohei, his son Akiyama Diajiro and Mifuyu, the illegitimate daughter of a high ranking official, both of whom are also handy with the sword. The novel is a series of short stories recounting various problems that the trio need to solve.
There is a lot of period detail here, and it is sometimes easy to get put off by all of the names, familial relationships and allegiances. But once past this it is easy to be swept up in the lives of the main characters. The three characters and their circle of friends and helpers, are delightfully drawn, good at what they do but far from perfect.
The cover of the book compares this to Sherlock Holmes, which is a bit of stretch. For the most part, secret plans are uncovered by someone strategically placed to listen in to the bad guys having conversations or just following a suspect to see who they are working for. But despite its name, the detective work in these stories is not the main draw. It is the way in which the crimes, or planned crimes, shine a light on the culture of a particular point in Japanese history.
There is a fascinating and large back catalogue of Japanese crime fiction. Along with the works of Shotaro Ikenami, the long running golden age detective fiction of Seishi Yokomizo featuring his Sherlockian consulting detective Kosuke Kindaichi is also currently in the process of receiving new translations. It is a reminder of the power of this genre to transcend its origins and give readers an engaging glimpse of other times and places.
The central characters of these stories are a retired swordsman called Akiyama Kohei, his son Akiyama Diajiro and Mifuyu, the illegitimate daughter of a high ranking official, both of whom are also handy with the sword. The novel is a series of short stories recounting various problems that the trio need to solve.
There is a lot of period detail here, and it is sometimes easy to get put off by all of the names, familial relationships and allegiances. But once past this it is easy to be swept up in the lives of the main characters. The three characters and their circle of friends and helpers, are delightfully drawn, good at what they do but far from perfect.
The cover of the book compares this to Sherlock Holmes, which is a bit of stretch. For the most part, secret plans are uncovered by someone strategically placed to listen in to the bad guys having conversations or just following a suspect to see who they are working for. But despite its name, the detective work in these stories is not the main draw. It is the way in which the crimes, or planned crimes, shine a light on the culture of a particular point in Japanese history.
There is a fascinating and large back catalogue of Japanese crime fiction. Along with the works of Shotaro Ikenami, the long running golden age detective fiction of Seishi Yokomizo featuring his Sherlockian consulting detective Kosuke Kindaichi is also currently in the process of receiving new translations. It is a reminder of the power of this genre to transcend its origins and give readers an engaging glimpse of other times and places.
January 12, 2026
With this being the first fully translated book I've read, I find it difficult to assign a rating to The Samurai Detectives, as I can't speak to the quality of the translation or the changes made from the original text.
What I can say with confidence, however, is that I am enamored with the setting, characters, and narration found in this first volume of Shotaro Ikenami's series.
the 1700s setting is fascinating to learn about through this historical fiction, particularly through the lens of the three core characters, each with their own view on the world.
Broken into short, sharp, and concise stories/adventures, I found myself turning page after page, wanting to reach the climactic reveal or battle that would cap off the case or journey.
With volume one being as accessible and consistently entertaining as it is, I'll be all too eager to jump into the next chapter in the series later this year.
What I can say with confidence, however, is that I am enamored with the setting, characters, and narration found in this first volume of Shotaro Ikenami's series.
the 1700s setting is fascinating to learn about through this historical fiction, particularly through the lens of the three core characters, each with their own view on the world.
Broken into short, sharp, and concise stories/adventures, I found myself turning page after page, wanting to reach the climactic reveal or battle that would cap off the case or journey.
With volume one being as accessible and consistently entertaining as it is, I'll be all too eager to jump into the next chapter in the series later this year.
February 8, 2026
The front runner of "Edo Noir," this book serves as a vivid, atmospheric journey into 18th-century Tokyo, masterfully blending the grit of a detective procedural with the rigid codes of samurai honor. At its heart is the brilliant chemistry between the world-weary Kohei and his principled son, Daijiro, a duo whose bond provides a grounded anchor as they navigate the city’s most dangerous shadows. I really appreciated the sensory style of this book you can practically smell the street food and hear the clatter of wooden sandals on the pavement as the pair hunts for clues. While the swordplay is swift and lethal, the real thrill lies in the intellectual game of chess played against the corrupt elite, exploring the tension between Shogunate law and the personal ethics of a Ronin. It is a blend of historical grit and classic "whodunit" mystery that appealed to me. A must-read for any fan of historical fiction or murderous plotted crime tales.
January 12, 2026
An entertaining collection of short stories. A lot of characters and places are introduced, which may confuse the reader, but there is plenty of fun to be had reading the adventures of the swordsmen and women of this period. The action scenes are written with authenticity and real care, and the description of the beautiful landscape really helps the reader picture the environment.
The detecting element is somewhat light, so don't expect a typical murder mystery with clues and swords and kimonos.
If you're a fan of Jidaigeki and want to learn more about the period, I would highly reccommend it. No doubt I shall be purchasing Vol. 2 when it comes on sale.
The detecting element is somewhat light, so don't expect a typical murder mystery with clues and swords and kimonos.
If you're a fan of Jidaigeki and want to learn more about the period, I would highly reccommend it. No doubt I shall be purchasing Vol. 2 when it comes on sale.
December 29, 2025
3.5 stars. Engaging, easy to read and a great distraction from everything else going on in the world. The chapter like stories within the story made it easy to organise reading time.
Read
January 27, 2026DNF on page 55
While the concept sounded interesting, the 19 year old girls being enchanted by a 60 year old man just doesn't work for me.
While the concept sounded interesting, the 19 year old girls being enchanted by a 60 year old man just doesn't work for me.
February 3, 2026
3.5 stars. Some fun stories. Kohei was an interesting character, but Daijiro and Mifuyu felt underdeveloped. A good one if you’re after a light read.
February 17, 2026
Good fun, made me want to stroke my chin from in a kimono like in Yojimbo.
January 23, 2026
Fun Japanese classic adventure novel set in the feudal mediaeval era. Less plot driven, and more about the of likeable characters and swashbuckling action. Succeeds in really immersing you in the historical setting, and touches on some deeper themes of honour and moral quandaries. Ripping read overall.
January 23, 2026
Very cosy and sometimes atmospheric but a little bit confusing at times with the tangents about 1770s Japanese hierarchies, which went in one ear (eye) and out the other
December 30, 2025
This was great. The time period is so fascinating and it feels well researched and the mysteries and characters fit seamlessly into the historical backdrop. And it does all of this coming in with a huge 7 interlocking mysteries in a short page count. Fantastic.
January 24, 2026
I was proper disappointed in this book. I went into it really wanting to love it but I unfortunately just found the prose to be unbearably bad. There was no nuance to the writing, it all felt very basic. I might have forgiven this had the plotting and the characters been even remotely interesting, but they were not. The mysteries were predictable, the characters weren’t fleshed out at all and the book in general felt like it didn’t have anything meaningful to say.
November 8, 2025
For some reason the concept of reading about samurais never crossed my mind until I stumbled upon this book. And now I will not stop reading about samurais.
August 25, 2025
2.5 stars
Thanks to Penguin for the advanced proof of this title in return for an honest review.
Oh how I wanted to love this. I love translated fiction, especially Japanese, and I'd heard such brilliant things about this but it wasn't quite there for me.
I really struggled with it. I'm aware that it's not always easy to read a translated book, because the names are different to what you would normally read in a book written in your language, there are historical and contextual elements in the story you may not be familiar with, so it's not always plain sailing, but I struggled with this more than I thought.
It is very heavy on the history of the Japense Samurais, which is interesting in itself, but it was so heavy on the detail that I found myself switching off.
There are a lot of characters in this. And so I was getting lost and needed to keep a note on who was whom and how they related. There's also not a whole lot of description as to the setting or anything other than conversation and fight scenes, which is fine in small doses but I was itching for that sumptuous description that I've come to expect from Japanese fiction.
What I did enjoy is that it showed me a part of Japanese history that I knew nothing about. I enjoy learning things and I enjoy reading, so I love it when a novel can teach me new things. And clearly Shotaro was a very learned man and you could see his passion for storytelling.
I found it interesting and I was captivated enough to continue with it, but I struggle to pinpoint what it was actually about and what was going on. I liked how the stories interlinked with an overarching character and theme, that was good, albeit somewhat repetitive.
Overall I'd say it's an interesting idea, a completely unique (to me) premise, and gives some interesting contextual information, but the characters lacked depth, I found it very confusing. I'd have liked more detail outside of the Samurai side of it. A solid story but not one I'm going to rush to recommend.
Thanks to Penguin for the advanced proof of this title in return for an honest review.
Oh how I wanted to love this. I love translated fiction, especially Japanese, and I'd heard such brilliant things about this but it wasn't quite there for me.
I really struggled with it. I'm aware that it's not always easy to read a translated book, because the names are different to what you would normally read in a book written in your language, there are historical and contextual elements in the story you may not be familiar with, so it's not always plain sailing, but I struggled with this more than I thought.
It is very heavy on the history of the Japense Samurais, which is interesting in itself, but it was so heavy on the detail that I found myself switching off.
There are a lot of characters in this. And so I was getting lost and needed to keep a note on who was whom and how they related. There's also not a whole lot of description as to the setting or anything other than conversation and fight scenes, which is fine in small doses but I was itching for that sumptuous description that I've come to expect from Japanese fiction.
What I did enjoy is that it showed me a part of Japanese history that I knew nothing about. I enjoy learning things and I enjoy reading, so I love it when a novel can teach me new things. And clearly Shotaro was a very learned man and you could see his passion for storytelling.
I found it interesting and I was captivated enough to continue with it, but I struggle to pinpoint what it was actually about and what was going on. I liked how the stories interlinked with an overarching character and theme, that was good, albeit somewhat repetitive.
Overall I'd say it's an interesting idea, a completely unique (to me) premise, and gives some interesting contextual information, but the characters lacked depth, I found it very confusing. I'd have liked more detail outside of the Samurai side of it. A solid story but not one I'm going to rush to recommend.
November 26, 2025
It has been six months since Akiyama Daijiro became a samurai, and left his father Kohe to establish a dojo of his own. He hopes to become as famous and skilled as his renowned father, but even though he is already an accomplished warrior in his own right, he must wait patiently for his first student. Daijiro's hopeful meditation is interrupted by a visit from a mysterious samurai who offers him a fortune to take on a mission to break the arms of an unknown target. He feels in his bones this is not an honourable task, so refuses, even though his funds are running very low.
Upon consulting his father for advice, they discover that the target would have been Mifuyu, a female warrior without match, who has vowed to only marry a man who can best her in combat. Subsequently, Kohe makes a point of helping her save herself from the disreputable attentions of the politically motivated suitor who aimed to tip the odds in his favour. This twist of fate brings Mifuyu, daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor, together with Daijiro and Kohe, and embroils them in a series of adventures that take them deep into the corrupt heart of Edo-era Japan.
Volume one of The Samurai Detectives unfurls from the perspectives of a sprawling cast of characters, who immerse you beautifully in its sinuous meanderings, and bring alive time and place in Edo-era Japan - where bribery, corruption, and murky machinations have been allowed to fester beneath the veneer of an age of peace.
The going is slow, very much in keeping with a classic Japanese adventure, wreathed in cunning moves and counter-moves, punctuated with mysteries to be solved and bursts of samurai action - living up to its tag-line of Shogun meets Sherlock Holmes. Its episodic format gradually delves into the lives of its characters as they go about their adventures, with lashings of detail about what makes them tick in a time ruled by tradition and honour (on the surface at least).
The central characters do hold your attention, and gain your affections (Mifuyu was my favourite), nevertheless this is a book you need to give your full attention in order to appreciate every nuance of the translation from Yui Kajita. I promise your dedication will be amply rewarded by this fascinating glimpse of Japanese history.
Upon consulting his father for advice, they discover that the target would have been Mifuyu, a female warrior without match, who has vowed to only marry a man who can best her in combat. Subsequently, Kohe makes a point of helping her save herself from the disreputable attentions of the politically motivated suitor who aimed to tip the odds in his favour. This twist of fate brings Mifuyu, daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor, together with Daijiro and Kohe, and embroils them in a series of adventures that take them deep into the corrupt heart of Edo-era Japan.
Volume one of The Samurai Detectives unfurls from the perspectives of a sprawling cast of characters, who immerse you beautifully in its sinuous meanderings, and bring alive time and place in Edo-era Japan - where bribery, corruption, and murky machinations have been allowed to fester beneath the veneer of an age of peace.
The going is slow, very much in keeping with a classic Japanese adventure, wreathed in cunning moves and counter-moves, punctuated with mysteries to be solved and bursts of samurai action - living up to its tag-line of Shogun meets Sherlock Holmes. Its episodic format gradually delves into the lives of its characters as they go about their adventures, with lashings of detail about what makes them tick in a time ruled by tradition and honour (on the surface at least).
The central characters do hold your attention, and gain your affections (Mifuyu was my favourite), nevertheless this is a book you need to give your full attention in order to appreciate every nuance of the translation from Yui Kajita. I promise your dedication will be amply rewarded by this fascinating glimpse of Japanese history.
January 21, 2026
This is my first time reading a translated book, so I was a little worried going into it. I did have a difficult time with the first chapter or two because I am so unfamiliar with Japanese history. I eventually did find that I really liked it! I liked each of the three main characters (Kohei, Daijiro, and Mifuyu). Each of them had their own quirks that made me excited for their chapters. The mysteries were usually pretty engaging, and I felt like I had to do just as much work as the characters to find the truth.
Some things I really liked:
1. The translator did a good job conveying how some characters were using honorifics without distracting from the story.
2. The translator also did a good job providing extra context when needed, again without distracting from the story.
3. I thought main parent/kid relationships were wholesome! Tanuma doting over Mifuyu, and Kohei stressing about Dajiro in chapter 6!!!
4. (I'm not 100% sure that this is what was happening, but I'd like to think that it was.) The translator broke the fourth wall a handful of times. I didn't really register it was happening until chapter 6, when events from an earlier chapter were re-explained in depth. They said, "Reader, I trust this tragedy is still fresh in your memory." Like they were annoyed with having to go through the events again.
My complaints:
1. There are a few things you have to look past in order to fully enjoy this book.
- The book goes /on and on/ about how Mifuyu dresses and acts like a man. I don't think there is anything wrong with her doing that, but sometimes it walks the line of being problematic.
- Mifuyu and Oharu are 19 to 20 years old and lusting after Kohei, who is in his 60s. I mostly chose to see this as funny, but (again) sometimes it walks the line of being problematic. (I get that this is historic fiction, and that could be something that happened in 1700s Japan. That doesn't mean I wanted to read about it.)
2. A couple of the mysteries contain series of events that are a little /too/ convenient.
3. Sometimes the author would go on long tangents about family lines. That might mean something to the original Japanese audience, but it totally lost me.
Some things I really liked:
1. The translator did a good job conveying how some characters were using honorifics without distracting from the story.
2. The translator also did a good job providing extra context when needed, again without distracting from the story.
3. I thought main parent/kid relationships were wholesome! Tanuma doting over Mifuyu, and Kohei stressing about Dajiro in chapter 6!!!
4. (I'm not 100% sure that this is what was happening, but I'd like to think that it was.) The translator broke the fourth wall a handful of times. I didn't really register it was happening until chapter 6, when events from an earlier chapter were re-explained in depth. They said, "Reader, I trust this tragedy is still fresh in your memory." Like they were annoyed with having to go through the events again.
My complaints:
1. There are a few things you have to look past in order to fully enjoy this book.
- The book goes /on and on/ about how Mifuyu dresses and acts like a man. I don't think there is anything wrong with her doing that, but sometimes it walks the line of being problematic.
- Mifuyu and Oharu are 19 to 20 years old and lusting after Kohei, who is in his 60s. I mostly chose to see this as funny, but (again) sometimes it walks the line of being problematic. (I get that this is historic fiction, and that could be something that happened in 1700s Japan. That doesn't mean I wanted to read about it.)
2. A couple of the mysteries contain series of events that are a little /too/ convenient.
3. Sometimes the author would go on long tangents about family lines. That might mean something to the original Japanese audience, but it totally lost me.
October 22, 2025
Set in Japan during the Edo period, specifically the late 1700s, which was a time of peace and the samurai are no longer warriors but the social elite, who became administrators and bureaucrats. Following three main characters, Akiyama Daijiro who runs a blade school, his father Akiyama Kohei, a skilled swordsman, and female warrior and daughter of the shogunate Sasaki, Tanuma Mifiyu. The opening chapter is quite slow with a lot of characters to take in and I did resort to pen and paper but keep going. It’s worth it.
Briefly, with his dojo less than successful Daijiro is offered a job but it is one that would break the samurai code of honour so he goes to discuss his situation with Kohei. Together they decide to look further into the proposal and this brings them into contact with Mifiyu. What follows are a number of episodic tales of epic adventures that put me in mind of Greek mythology.
I loved all the cultural and historical aspects of this book; and there are a lot of them. It’s a fascinating period in Japanese history and I enjoyed most of the characters although Kohei would definitely have qualified as a misogynist if he was around today! Unlike most Japanese translated fiction I’ve read this isn’t so descriptive about place, but is very detailed about samurai. I enjoyed the book, despite its complexity, not least because of, what to me are, unusual names. An entertaining read. 3.5⭐️
Briefly, with his dojo less than successful Daijiro is offered a job but it is one that would break the samurai code of honour so he goes to discuss his situation with Kohei. Together they decide to look further into the proposal and this brings them into contact with Mifiyu. What follows are a number of episodic tales of epic adventures that put me in mind of Greek mythology.
I loved all the cultural and historical aspects of this book; and there are a lot of them. It’s a fascinating period in Japanese history and I enjoyed most of the characters although Kohei would definitely have qualified as a misogynist if he was around today! Unlike most Japanese translated fiction I’ve read this isn’t so descriptive about place, but is very detailed about samurai. I enjoyed the book, despite its complexity, not least because of, what to me are, unusual names. An entertaining read. 3.5⭐️
November 1, 2025
What a delightful book.
Set in Japan in the 1770s, during the Shogunate, this follows Kohei and his son Akiyama Daijiro, with a number of recurring characters. Each 'chapter' is in reality its own mini story as the characters solve mysteries ranging from an attempted poisoning to a honour duel, although nothing is ever simple, with many layers just waiting to be unpeeled.
I can understand why this has been compared to Sherlock Holmes, the knowledge, wisdom and conclusions drawn by Kohei is something amazing.
Some of the descriptions are absolutely stunning, there was a boat ride in the first chapter or two which discussed the scenery and it was very invocative. The translator has done a great job breathing English life into this text, I can only imagine how hard a task it has to be to keep the feel of the story while still rendering it enjoyable to read in another language. It is easy to see why Shōtarō Ikenami is so highly regarded as an author.
This really digs into the mindset and honour code of a samurai, and some of the actions taken might seem strange to a Western viewpoint, because of our own upbringing. A lot of the names can take some getting used to, as quite often it will dip into the history of characters, with many being introduced in a short span of time, but it is worth the effort.
Very very enjoyable, I hope to read more of this series.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Set in Japan in the 1770s, during the Shogunate, this follows Kohei and his son Akiyama Daijiro, with a number of recurring characters. Each 'chapter' is in reality its own mini story as the characters solve mysteries ranging from an attempted poisoning to a honour duel, although nothing is ever simple, with many layers just waiting to be unpeeled.
I can understand why this has been compared to Sherlock Holmes, the knowledge, wisdom and conclusions drawn by Kohei is something amazing.
Some of the descriptions are absolutely stunning, there was a boat ride in the first chapter or two which discussed the scenery and it was very invocative. The translator has done a great job breathing English life into this text, I can only imagine how hard a task it has to be to keep the feel of the story while still rendering it enjoyable to read in another language. It is easy to see why Shōtarō Ikenami is so highly regarded as an author.
This really digs into the mindset and honour code of a samurai, and some of the actions taken might seem strange to a Western viewpoint, because of our own upbringing. A lot of the names can take some getting used to, as quite often it will dip into the history of characters, with many being introduced in a short span of time, but it is worth the effort.
Very very enjoyable, I hope to read more of this series.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
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