RYŌMA!: The Life of Sakamoto Ryōma: Japanese Swordsman and Visionary, Volume II

RYŌMA!: The Life of Sakamoto Ryoma Japanese Swordsman and Visionary #2

by Shiba Ryōtarō

"Ryōma!" tells the life story of Sakamoto Ryoma, one of the great figures in the turmoil that engulfed Japan in the years before the 1868 Meiji Restoration. The novel is a masterwork by the prolific historical novelist Shiba Ryotaro and has sold more than 24 million copies in Japan since publication in 1966—and still counting!
The novel has everything: a winning main character, an action-packed plot, swordfights, and romance, but it is also a fascinating, easy-to-digest history lesson about Japan’s response to the shocking arrival of United States Commodore Matthew Perry’s “Black Ships” off the shores of Japan in 1853. Shiba manages to juggle historical events of those days to tell a rollicking story, and he is helped tremendously by the engaging Sakamoto Ryoma, who starts out as an apolitical, low-ranking samurai from the countryside, a young nobody whose greatest wish is to improve his swordfighting skills in Edo. But Ryoma gets caught up in the drama of his times and, at first unwillingly but later with great gusto, he feels that it is his duty to help his country join other nations of the world. Shiba takes us through the chain of events that galvanize Ryoma and turn him into a popular national hero.
"Ryoma!" is a page-turner of high drama and lofty ideals, leavened with witty dialogue and lovingly detailed swordfights.
This is Volume II of a four-volume series.

494 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Stefan Andrei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a slower and less adventurous read than the first volume, but at the same time, it was thoroughly enjoyable and rich in historical details. Ryōtarō Shiba paints an authentic picture of Japan in the time of Sakamoto Ryoma and the Meiji Restoration.

I can only lament not having the 3rd volume in english..yet.

[Koit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have praised many a work by Mr Shiba -- this one is no different. From the ending of the first volume, the second one takes the reader forward into a time when the main character's dreams seem as if they could be achieved -- and only a few years of Sakamoto's life remain to be detailed. 

I found this a slow read even though I enjoyed it. It is, however, that the world into which the reader is brought is incredibly detailed. There are scores of names that come through out script; dozens of people interact with our character. I found one particular detail amusing: where a few of Sakamoto's followers had joined him in Edo, the author had found the strength of will to depict how they were housed until they left a few days later. This commitment to the littlest detail is absolutely praiseworthy.

What I have also come to respect more is the author's innate ability to typify things. No matter what subject comes through, Mr Shiba's pen highlights the most relevant aspects of it, allowing even a total stranger to this time and place to understand everything perfectly. I could understand if the repetition of some of these themes would become too much for some readers (such as the distinctions between Tosa and the other domains), but I can only revel in it.

This review was originally posted on my blog.

[Borislav Itskov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of very good, explained in detail historical moments. Japan's history is good enough for a novel.

[Ad · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review of the first novel of this series at my blog: https://adblankestijn.blogspot.com/20...