The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn

Samurai Detective #1

by Dorothy Hoobler, Thomas Hoobler

While attempting to solve the mystery of a stolen jewel, Seikei, a merchant's son who longs to be a samurai, joins a group of kabuki actors in eighteenth-century Japan.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult, Japan, Fiction, School, Historical

214 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 1999

About the author

Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler, a married couple who have written numerous books together, were drawn to this story of great writers inspiring each other collaboratively. Their most recent novel, In Darkness, Death, won a 2005 Edgar Award. They live in New York City.

Series:
* Samurai Detective
* Century Kids
* Her Story
* Images Across The Ages
* American Family Album

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 Review
You know how it is when you re-read a book you loved as child? Well, I'm pleased to report this one held up. It is relatively short but fun. I feel like I learned something and enjoyed it along the way. Now to track down the rest of the series!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owned a copy of this as a kid and have re-read it several times, but never realized it was part of a series until now, so I'm excited to read the rest.

It's a simple but well-researched historical YA mystery set in samurai-era Japan, with a nice plot and excellent characters. It features a 14-year-old boy, Konoike Seikei, the son a wealthy tea merchant, who dreams of becoming a samurai even as he knows it's impossible due to his class. While traveling with his father, Seikei stumbles across a mysterious theft in an inn, and a famous samurai judge, Judge Ooka, brings him along to help him solve the mystery, as he's the only witness.

Good book for historically-minded tweens, but a completely enjoyable mystery for adults too (especially if you like tea, it's ever-present and therefore fun to drink along with the characters).

[Avery (ThePagemaster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dubbed as a Japanese Sherlock Holmes, The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn is a classic, yet simple, mystery with a cultural twist. I remember seeing this book in my brother's room when I was younger and the cover, despite its cheesiness, was curious about the story. Crazy thing is, he still has it, but he's across the country, but found it on BookOutlet

First off, anything set in Japan, present time or feudal, I'm all for it. Love the history that the authors(husband and wife duo) highlighted and incorporated: the way of the samurai, the daimyo, kabuki plays, etc.

Secondly, the character of Seikei was very fun to read about, the son of a tea merchant, who wants to become a samurai, sees his opportunity when a prized ruby is stolen from the inn he and his father, along with a well-renowned and respectfully feared samurai, and paper merchant and his daughter, spend the night. Then comes Judge Ooka, who acts as the mentor for Seikei, as he is put to the test.

Its a quick read for younger audiences who are curious about the Mystery genre, but want something easy to read, yet have those cliches that work, and the older audiences could find some enjoyment in this book, as well.

[Ms. Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I read this since my students are reading this for historical fiction book clubs. It started off pretty slow to be honest, but once it got into the mystery it was a much quicker read. After reading this novel, I have way more interest in doing further research of Japan during the Edo period. The ending of this (and I won't say much since students follow me on here) did surprise me a ton! I guess I wasn't necessarily expecting both endings (the play & the actual book ending). There did feel like a lot of monologue at some points and that disinterested me during those parts.

[Simona Choi]

I mean, it's okay, but it reminds me a lot of Ghosts of the Greenglass House. (Even the titles are similar!)
By the way, it was a class read, I didn't choose to read this.
Overall, it was pretty good, but it's a short read and I didn't really like how characters like Michiko and Seikei's father weren't really mentioned for the rest of the book.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

One night in the Tokaido Inn will change Seikei’s life forever.

I recommend this book for the young adult age group if they are reading this tale on their own for a couple of reasons. First, there is quite a bit of discussion about seppuku. This is when a samurai commits suicide rather than suffer dishonor. This is significant and essential to understanding Japanese culture, but it is a heavy topic. I believe the book can be read aloud to younger children, but again I would recommend plenty of discussion on what seppuku is and why it was viewed positively in Japanese culture during this period in history. Second, there is also some gore surrounding a death near the conclusion of the book. It isn’t overdone, but there is enough detail that younger readers might be sensitive to that material.

Seikei is a very likable boy. He’s smart, curious, and honest. He tries to live his life according to the samurai ideals. In fact, he dreams of being a samurai, but as the son of a merchant he knows he can never be one. His future is already laid out for him, or so it seems. Everything changes when Seikei witnesses the crime at the inn. Seikei soon finds himself working side by side with the samurai magistrate, Judge Ooka. Not only will Seikei help solve the crime, but he’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about the ways of the samurai. For Seikei it is the experience of a lifetime. His excitement is palpable, and I admired his fierce determination to do his best. However, can Seikei ever go back to the life of a merchant after tasting the life of a samurai?

It becomes apparent about midway through the book who the thief is, but the motive remains a mystery. It soon becomes clear that there is much more to the thief’s plan than the theft of a jewel. As Seikei digs for the truth, he uncovers a plot that has been years in the making. As I raced through the pages, I found myself asking if the thief was indeed the true villain!

There is a lot of historic detail packed into this exciting mystery! Japanese customs, etiquette, class structure, religious views, etc are all explained within the context of the story. As a result, the pacing never suffers. It is all simply part of Seikei’s life. This is can spur some great discussion on Japanese class structure in the 1700’s under the rule of the shoguns, and dare I say, make learning about history fun!

I had a lot of fun reading The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn. Seikei is a likable character, the mystery is compelling, and the conclusion is gripping. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery with a good dose of historic detail!

[Victoria (TheMennomilistReads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book to my 11 and 13 year old sons. While it was a very interesting story about the way of the Samurai and how they lived, I think the issue you need to understand when allowing your kids to read it is that there is a LOT of talk about suppuku, when a samurai has shown dishonor and kills himself. They show it as a good thing rather than horrific, which bugged me. Also there is definitely one pretty gory detail in this book. I suggest your kids are teens when they read this and understand a bit about suicide, is all.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids asked me to give it five stars. They also asked me to get the next book. ;)


I feel like I should add there is beheading in this book. So, if you are reading this with kids, that might be something you’ll want to be ready for.

[Olga Godim]

DNF at ~ 60%
I don't remember why I decided to borrow this book from the library. Maybe someone talked about it on one of the book sites I follow. But I definitely didn't like it. I think its intended reader must be a middle school boy. I'm long past my middle school years, and I'm not a boy, so for me, this book held little appeal.
It is a historical mystery, set in the medieval Japan. The protagonist, a teenage boy Seikei, is a son of a merchant. But Seikei doesn't want to follow in his father's merchant footsteps. He dreams of being a samurai.
On a business trip with his father, Seikei unexpectedly witnesses a robbery and later is roped into helping a government investigator to discover the thief. It could've been an exciting story, but it wasn't. Seikei seems so stupid and so unbelievably naive, I had trouble following his 'adventures' without wincing. His choices and his thought process are utterly inane, more suited to a six or seven years old than to a teenager. I think that even in the 18th century Japan, teenagers were smarter.
Furthermore, his mentor - the investigator - is one of those who teaches by riddles. I hate those kinds of teachers. Give me instructions in a clear itemized list any day. I can't abide a teacher who doesn't explain anything but appears to enjoy baffling his student at every opportunity. If I have to guess all the answers myself, why would I need this teacher after all?
I tried to read it to the end, but it was too much hassle, so I stopped after I passed the middle of the story. I wasn't even interested in the ending of the mystery. It was just too tedious.

[Geordie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seikei is the 14-year old son of a merchant, both of them traveling to Edo in 18th century Japan. As only witness to a spectral intruder, he is drawn into a mystery of convoluted layers that tests his abilities and beliefs.

I honestly didn't think I was going to like this book much, but I did. The characters and story-telling were excellent, with good pacing and good descriptions. I'd expected the book to treat Japanese history as exotic and alien; was it going to sing undeserved praise for the samurai era, or treat it like a freak show? Neither, actually. The depictions of Japanese culture were thorough and dignified; people acted differently because it was a different time and place, and no great fuss was made about the differences. All around a fun read, with only a few forgivable problems.

For example, the judge Seikei worked for often kept him in the dark, but this allowed for more suspense in the book, and let Seikei stay central instead of the judge, so I can accept that. The biggest problem, Seikei originally thought he saw a ghost or horned monster in the Tokaido Inn, later this turned out to be someone in geisha make-up with hair pins. What??? It's pretty clear the author was intentionally obfuscating the truth and/or trying to be dramatic with possible supernatural additions. The eventual reveal was a pretty huge disappointment.

Overall well worth reading for a middle school reader, and most adults too.

[Eamon = ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was great, not mind-blowing but a good four stars. The ending when the main character had a happy ending and it ended with a funny light-hearted line was great. This book had an amazing plot line but sometimes I had no idea what was going on. So overall it was a great book.

[Sapphire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, HORRIBLE writing.

"blah blah blah did this. He wore this. The palace looked like this. It had this."
SO BORING!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of adventure and it took me to a whole new world. i'd recommend it anytime.

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!

[Mohammed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the resolution of the conflict to be interesting as well as the way things happening later on connect to seemingly unrelated things from earlier.

[Gio Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so amazing. it pulls you into the book like if you are the protagonist. the setting and everything even the plot is really good and especially how the author builds up to certain points in the story.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read-aloud with my seventh grader. Feel like I know a little more about Japanese and samurai culture. Super interesting kirishitan subplot, which reminds me that I really need to read Silence!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that we picked up at a used book sale some time ago, and I read it not knowing what to expect. It's definitely a young adult book, and I told my son that I think he'd enjoy it! I wouldn't mind reading the next in the series, especially if I'm looking for a quick read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story that kept me on my feet trying to guess what would happen next. My eleven year old is supposed to read this next month and I'm debating reading it with her instead of having her read it on her own so that we can discuss it in real time, because as much as I found it engaging, I'm concerned that the frequent discussions of seppuku might be distressing for her. It's important to the plot, but still pretty distressing.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical mystery focusing around the samurai, their concept of honor, kabuki theater and the treatment of Kirishitans (Christians) provides an interesting look at the culture of Japan in the 1700s as well as a satisfying mystery and realistic, relatable characters. The authors’ based the detective character on an actual samurai judge known as the Sherlock Holmes of Japan and wove the kabuki play The Forty-Seven Ronin into the plot. A few elements may be rather stark for younger readers, though they are not dwelt on.

[Charis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its set in 18th century Japan,& not really about a ghost.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, I spoil with abandon, so don’t read on if you haven’t read the book already and want to be able to just enjoy the ride.

I first read this book to my son sometime between 2008 and 2010, just a random selection from the local library. He had been enthusiastically reading my Usagi Yojimbo comic books, so I looked for something that might dovetail with that interest, and this was a lucky find! Now, some dozen years later, I am reading through the different Usagi Yojimbo RPGs and they put me in mind of this wonderful book, so I added it to my pandemic re-reading list.

This is a wonderful book. The writing is solid and the Hooblers bring the world to life with color, energy, and ease. But what makes the book so captivating, to my mind, are the characters. From Seikei to Judge Ooka to Tomomi, all the characters are worth rooting for, perfect depictions of the archetypes they are drawn from. Combining samurai ideals, kabuki theater, grand schemes of vengeance, and the social divisions of Edo period japan gives the book a set of interacting textures that make what is a pretty straightforward plot into a richly developed story. And the mystery that compels the action is delicious, even when, as an adult reader, it becomes clearer and clearer what has happened.

Because I love the characters and the world, I have mostly avoided thinking of the unspoken politics of the book. My hackles were raised slightly when we learn that Tomomi is a Kirishitan because I was afraid the Hooblers were going to centralize this European religion in the Japanese setting. But I believe the religion was used merely as a plot device, an engine for action more than anything else. I also feared that Seikei’s wholehearted embrace of the samurai tenets might serve to cover over the atrocities of the system. To some extent, I think it does. Seikei does not end the novel questioning the social order or the ranked value of human life it imposes. Tomomi may seem to question that order at first, but in the end he only reinforces it. Lord Hakuseki is a villain primarily because he fails to live up to the samurai ideals more than anything else, even though the system grants him the power regardless of his worthlessness. Instead of learning that what he loves about samurai has nothing to do with the social class and everything to do with personal ideas, ethics, and beliefs, Seikei has his beginning notions reinforced and rewarded by becoming the adopted son of Judge Ooka.

I think there is something to be said about the way the Hooblers themselves don’t over-romanticize the social ills even as they let Seikei (and potentially their readers) have most of their delusions. The casual mention of seppuku every time Seikei makes a misstep feels tongue-in-cheek to me, an acknowledgment of the ridiculous standards. Similarly, the shogun readily embraces torture and the wholesale killing of a religious minority, and the Hooblers don’t shy away from that, even as they clearly side with Judge Ooka’s positions on these matters. Nevertheless, the one scene with the shogun presents him on equal footing with Seikei and humanizes him even as he is a brutal military dictator. That is certainly a questionable step.

In the end, the book tries to walk a fine line of romanticizing the history and questioning it, and I can’t say it was fully successful in that respect. It does call into question the representation of samurai by presenting us with many opposing representations—Seikei’s imaginations, Judge Ooka, Tomomi, Lord Hakuseki, and the shogun—but when all is said and down, Seikei’s imagination remains untarnished. We as readers can sit above Seikei and see his failings, but when all is said and done, the book counts on our embracing of his naivete and cheering for it.

All of that is to say that my reaction to the politics of the book is complicated. I could see someone rejecting the politics wholesale and, in turn, rejecting the book, and I wouldn’t argue with that person for their position. It would be a reasonable position. Even knowing that, I think the art of the storytelling and writing are enough to win me over.

[Zi Xue · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if you saw a crime happen, but no one believed you because of who you were? This is a problem faced by Seikei, the main character in "The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn." The book is mystery where the setting's in 18th century Japan. In Japan Samurai have the absolute power and are highly respected. They followed a strict code of honor and merchants were often treated less important because they sells anything for money. The story follows Seikei, the son of a tea merchant, who dreams of becoming a samurai. Instead, he finds himself caught in a mystery involving a theft at a roadside inn. This book mixes history and suspense in a way that teaches readers about courage, justice, and Japanese culture. It shows us how bravery an honestly matter more than social class.
The story begins with Seikei traveling with his father along the Tokaido road. One night, when they were resting at an inn, Seikei sees a strange spiritual ghostly figure sneaks into the room of a wealthy guest and steals a jewel that was going to be sent out as a gift. Because Seikei is only a merchant's son and not a respected samurai, no one believes his story. People think he's either the thief trying to make a story or he's just imagining thinks. However, a judge named Ooka decides to look into the case and allows Seikei to help with the investigation to search for the truth together. Throughout the story Seikei faces danger, challenges, and difficult decisions that test his courage.
One of the part that this book attracts me is the way the author combines history and mystery. The author include many details about Japanese life, importance of honor, how the people travel, and the strict rules they have. From reading the book and I learned about Japanese culture and their life style. At the same time, the mystery keeps the reader hooked, since we want to know who stole the jewel and I was curious about will judge Ooka later on help Seikei to make his dream come true of becoming a samurai. When I was reading the book I will image the situation Seikei was facing in my head, it's just like watching a movie in my mind, and I feel like that's really cool. The book focuses on themes of justice, honor, and courage, and these are the characteristics that a samurai should have.
In conclusion, The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn is more than just a mystery, it is also a lesson about bravery, fairness, and the importance of standing up for the truth. The combination of suspense and Japanese culture makes the book both educational and enjoyable to read. It shows that even someone without power, like Seikei a tea merchant's son, can still make a difference if they are brave enough. And actually this is one of the very few book that I read without falling asleep. because I don't read. Whenever I try to read a book, I will fall asleep in about 20 minutes, but surprisingly I didn't on this. This book is a good choice for anyone who enjoys mysteries with historical settings. I would recommend it to people who likes adventure and detective stories. I give it a 4/5.

[Andrew ✝️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a tad disappointed at first. The title gave me the impression that there was a real 'ghost'. It's not so much of a spoiler to say it isn't though, because what the 'ghost' really is turned out to make this story much more interesting and fascinating than I had anticipated.

I've always had a penchant for Samurai stories. Samurai Jack (randomly mentioned) was/is one of my all time favorite cartoons. As the creator said, he wanted to create something that both kids and adults could enjoy. It's been one of the shows that I've kept enjoying as I've aged. So I was actually rather excited when I figured out this was a sort of Samurai story. Admittedly, when I purchased this book, I was rushed out of the store, so one could say that this was one of my best accidental purchases, but I digress.

Seikei is the son of a merchant who endeavors to be a Samurai. His merchant father often mocks his interest as there is a tradition that the son must take up the occupation of the father. Seikei is so interested in being a Samurai that he has read up on them. Stories and facts. Mostly history of Samurai's. His father has taken him on a road trip and they are stopped by the Shogun's men (Shoguns were a commander of a force; hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867). Seikei looks out his window and sees the escapade unfolding. A man has taken offense to the Shogun's men but does not perish. When they are finally allowed through, Seikei's father takes room at Takaido Inn. In the night, a theft takes place of a red jewel and at first, a girl (that Seikei had spoken to the night before) and her father are the prime suspects because the jewel is found in their room. It turns out to be a fake and Seikei eventually speaks up about a 'ghost' he saw in the middle of the night when he could not sleep.Judge Ooka is called upon to aid the investigation for Daimyo (Daimyo; is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country) Lord Hakuseki, the one who had been stolen from. The jewel was to be a gift for the Shogun.

Judge Ooka calls upon Seikei to aid in his investigation. They travel to neighboring cities and Seikei is eventually left to 'follow the right path.' Finding himself traveling with a group of actors, the story unfolds.

I learned about the legend of the Jikininki, what a Yishiki is as well as a Shogun and a Daimyo. 5 Stars.

My note:
May 18, 2012:
Pg 75, 35.21% "not exactly sure what to make of this book. It seems to be more about a thief than a 'ghost'"

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boy gave this one 5 stars even though it took us a while to get through it. (Usually his 5-star picks are the ones we finish in two days or so.)

I have to admit I'm enjoying these historical middle grade novels as much as he is. This one gives an interesting perspective into Samurai culture, Buddhism, and Kabuki theatre. (Some people consider this a YA novel, but I think it's geared more towards the 9-11 crowd, although there is a LOT of talking about suicide and honorable death. I don't have a problem with this, and neither did my kiddo because he has learned this was just a part of the culture.)

The book gave us ample opportunity to discuss hard subjects such as suicide, the class system, and authoritarianism. Reading it with my kiddo was such a wonderful and educational experience. :)

While I wasn't surprised too much by the ending, I did wish the story would have circled back to the characters introduced in the beginning. (Although I see now that this is a series with the same characters, so maybe another volume does?) Knowing that it's a series makes me -- the "adult" in the room -- want to read the rest of them.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I surprised myself by how much I liked this book. I have been on a bit of a "medieval Europe" kick lately, and while this obviously didn't fit that mood, the historical setting, the distinctly-Japanese details, and the well-spun mystery really hit the spot. I knew very little about the Tokaido Road, so it was really fun to learn more about this segment in Japan's history, but from an astute child's perspective (so the details weren't overwhelming or beyond me). It was also fun to learn about Judge Ooka, who I'd never heard about. (Sidenote: the authors point out in their afterward that Judge Ooka has been called a "Japanese Sherlock Holmes," but in finding out that he was a real person and also that he lived before Holmes' time, maybe we should actually be calling Sherlock Holmes a "British Judge Ooka," no? ;) ) I liked this enough that I'm attempting to force two of my kids to read it; they're not impressed by the cover art or synopsis, but I think if I can just get them to try it, they'll enjoy it. Wish me luck. Ha ha.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this story. Fourteen-year old Seikei, the son of a tea merchant in Japan, hooks up with Judge Ooka, a well respected samurai, to solve the mystery of a stolen jewel. There is a lot to learn through the course of the story about samurai culture, kabuki theater, Kirishitans (Christians) in Japan, and a host of other cultural and religious details as Seikei travels from town to city following the trail of the thief.

Where it felt short for me was as an actual mystery. The list of suspects grew really short really fast. The bulk of the plot wasn't really solving the mystery; it was more about following and then capturing the obvious criminal. The journey was interesting, enlightening and suspenseful at times, but not really a mystery - and certainly not a whodunit. I had hope that this might fit into our Mystery curriculum, but now I suspect not. Perhaps the next one in the series?

[R-Qie R-Qie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Samurai tidak takut menghadapi kematian.”

—

Seikei Konoike, seorang anak pedagang berusia 14 tahun yang hidup di Jepang abad ke-18 zaman Tokugawa, ingin menjadi samurai. Namun sistem feodal pada masa itu tidak memungkinkan orang berpindah kasta. Kesempatan itu datang ketika ia menginap di Tokaido dan terjadi pencurian batu rubi seorang samurai angkuh yang juga menginap di situ. Seikei yang mengaku melihat sang pencuri, yang dikiranya hantu, memberi petunjuk pada Hakim Ooka, penyelidik kasus tersebut. Dimulailah petualangan Seikei dalam mengungkap pencuri batu rubi dan alasan di balik pencurian itu.

Kisah yang dikemas sederhana namun menarik. Misteri demi misteri dihadirkan dan perlahan dikuak. Meski sang pencuri telah terungkap, tapi alasan di balik pencurian dan petualangan Seikei tetap menimbulkan penasaran.

Saya suka dengan Hakim Ooka. Bisa dibilang ia berada di balik layar pengungkapan. Menggunakan Seikei sebagai jalan untuk menyelesaikan kasus tersebut. Suka! :-D

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1700s Japan when the samurai are still ruling the country, Seikei dreams of being a samurai, but he is the son of a tea merchant and destined to be a tea merchant. He is going to the capital Edo with his father to deliver some tea. They stop at an inn for the night. The other guests are a samuri lord and his men.
That night Seikei has trouble sleeping. He talks with another guest who tells him a ghost story. He later awakes and sees this what he believes is this ghost.
In the morning the samuri daimyo declares a valuable ruby has been stolen from his room. Judge Oona comes to investigate. Seikei becomes first a key witness, then the judge's helper in solving this crime.
The book is a fast read. It keeps the reader engaged and reluctant to put it down. Seikei meets many elements of Japanese society and must adapt to many of the customs of the day. In some ways the story is a tragedy, but a new beginning for Seikei.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghost In The Tokaido Inn is a tale that combines elements of mystery and Japanese history for a good reading experience. Seikei, a merchant's son, wants to be a samurai, but can't because of cultural rules. When he encounters a mystery of a stolen ruby in the Tokaido Inn, he is taken on a journey by the samurai magistrate, Judge Ooka, who is assigned to the case, and given opportunities to practice being a samurai. The twists and turns of the story show clearly 18th century Japan, picturing all the richness and detail of a complex society. The surprise ending leaves the reader in suspense all the way through. Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler do a superb job in creating a story that catches the reader's attention and gives historical information in a fun way. Good read for the "young" as well as the "old".