by Walt Mussell
Haibara Castle–The incident in the prologue is based on the conglomeration of two events involving Takatsuki Castle and its Christian daimyo, Takayama Ukon (the basis for the character of Akamatsu Fumio). Takatsuki Castle was besieged by the forces of Oda Nobunaga in 1579. Ukon shaved his head and, with the help of his father, managed to save the local Christians from persecution, and impressed Nobunaga enough to be reinstated at the castle. In 1587, Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered Christian daimyo to renounce Christianity or surrender their lands. Ukon surrendered the castle again and adopted a life of poverty.
The Himeji Castle Cross–The cross tile at Himeji Castle exists today. It was installed when the castle was a three-story structure and is one of the few items to be included in the remodel. There is a plaque near its location, stating that the origin of the cross is unknown. The blogosphere offers that it was a tribute to former castle lord Kuroda Yoshitaka, himself a Christian who later renounced Christianity when the religion was banned. History suggests that Kuroda’s decision was a pragmatic one and that he continued to work to support Christianity, believing discretion would allow him to protect more lives. The religion would eventually be driven underground in the seventeenth century by the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu and was punishable by death. However, the cross was allowed to remain.
The May Festivities in Kyoto – In the first meeting between Nobuhiro and his brothers, Ujihiro mentions the “May Festivities in Kyoto.” This refers to a visit by the Emperor to Hideyoshi’s palace. The visit was in May 1588 and lasted for five days. It was a lavish celebration and Hideyoshi gave the Emperor many gifts.
Lord Kinoshita–The castle lord of Himeji Castle at the time of my story was Lord Kinoshita Iesada, brother-in-law to Hideyoshi. Since he never appears, I left him there. Also, with regards to Lord Kinoshita’s father (and his sword), I found one oblique reference that suggested he was an ashigaru, a part-time foot soldier. I ask that anyone with more information please email me the sources.
Politics at the Dinner Table–The Goami household political discussion was historically accurate, even with regard to the fictional Akamatsu going to Hokuriku. His real-life counterpart did the same. The biggest dinner challenge was how to refer to Japan’s leaders in private conversation.
Oda Nobunaga, Assassination or Ritual Suicide–History records Nobunaga’s death as an “assassination” by one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide. However, knowing he had no chance of survival when Mitsuhide’s forces surrounded his temple location, Nobunaga took his own life.
Monkey (and Weasel)–The reference to Hideyoshi as “Monkey” refers to a nickname that Nobunaga attached to him. Though not mentioned in the book, Nobunaga gave the nickname “Weasel” to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The Haunted Well at Himeji Castle–The well does exist, and the story of Okiku’s ghost is one of the best-known ghost stories in Japan. There are numerous versions of the story, some that happened before and some that happened after the time period covered in this book. For my purposes, I’ve accepted it as having happened in an earlier time.
The Suicide Gate at Himeji Castle–The current Himeji Castle does have a “Suicide Gate.” However, I don’t know if the three-story version did.
The Banning of Christianity–Christianity was banned in 1587. However, the government took several public actions as a show against Christianity while continuing to allow whatever was necessary to promote trade. Some Christian properties were destroyed, but the overall effect was to make Christians downplay their missionary efforts. Later edicts would produce more devastating results.
Tokoda Shigehiro’s Death Poem–Death poems were common among samurai, and many of them are moving. The elder Tokoda, noted in the book as a poet, would likely have been able to compose a tanka, a 5-7-5-7-7 structure that was prevalent in the day. However, to do it properly in this work would have required me to produce a tanka in Late Middle Japanese and then translate it to English. Instead, I composed the words as I wanted free from the 5-7-5-7-7 structure. My mother-in-law was kind enough to translate my thoughts into something resembling the style of the period. Her words are below.
Acknowledgments
I started this novel several years ago. When my initial attempts to find a publisher failed, I worked on other projects. Still, I kept the storyline of this book, and the later ones in the series, close to my heart. Now that the book is published, the biggest fear I have as I write this page is forgetting to thank people from whom I’ve received advice. I’m grateful to everyone.
Thank you to Melinda Leigh, Lindi Peterson, Tosca Lee, and Kit Wilkinson for reviews and insights on my draft.
Thank you to Haywood Smith and Dianna Love for all of your help, suggestions, and mentorship.
Thank you to my writer’s group, Georgia Romance Writers. The opportunities and support you provide are amazing. Special thanks to both Anna Destefano and Jennifer St. Giles for inviting me to join.
Thank you to the wonderful women of Seekerville, my favorite writing blog, for your numerous suggestions and guidance on everything writing related. Special thanks to Debby Giusti, with whom I had initial conversations that led to this story, to Tina Radcliffe, who helped me design my Kindle Scout campaign, and to Myra Johnson for last minute grammar assistance.
Thank you to my aunt, Jeanne Robertson, for being a continuing inspiration in my writing career.
Thanks to my online groups, WritingGIAMx3 and Authors of Asian Novels, for your continued support and good wishes.
Thank you to Yoshinori and Naomi Ishihara for your assistance with research materials and comments on historical Japanese culture. Special thanks to your little white dog, Boon-chan, the model for the little white dog in the story.
Thank you to my in-laws, Kazuo and Takiko Umeda, for their discussions with me on the intricacies of historical Japanese politics.
Thank you to Amy Knupp at Blue Otter Editing for the original edits and to Rogenna Brewer at Covers By Rogenna for the cover.
Thank you to historians Dr. Stephen Turnbull; Michael Cooper, S. J.; and John Dougill for your books on Japanese history. Thanks also to authors Sato Kanzan and Colin Roach for your books on Japanese swords. Additional thanks to James Gillam, professor emeritus, Spelman College. Any historical or technical mistakes in this book are the fault of the author.
Thank you to Professor Carl E. Creasman Jr. and Amber Stokes for your overall insights.
Thank you to veteran Federal law enforcement officer and childhood friend, Kyle Cummings, for discussions on combat mindset.
Thank you to Amazon and Kindle Press for the wonderful opportunity the Kindle Scout program provides authors. Special thanks to my editor, Ellen Hurst, for the final edits.
Thank you to everyone who voted for me and who shared my links on various social media, helping me to make publishing this book a reality.
Lastly, thank you to my wife, Motoyo, and to my sons, Andrew and Christopher, for putting up with me when I’m writing.
About the Author
Walt Mussell lives in the Atlanta area with his wife and two sons. He works for a well-known corporation and writes in his spare time. Walt primarily writes historical novels, with a focus on Japan, an interest he gained during the four years he lived there.
Outside of writing, his favorite activity is trying to keep up with his kids. As one is away at college and the other is in high school, this is proving more difficult each day.
You can follow Walt on Twitter at @wmussell. Please visit his website Daddy Needs Decaf at waltmussell.blogspot.com. Please check out his Facebook page at “Walt Mussell - Author.”
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