Bundori is the next book after Shinju (set three months later), where Sano has risen to the post of sosakan-sama, the shogun's special investigator. He is still the outsider, as he does not have the background or family connections that his peers do. He is still learning of his duties when he is assigned a puzzling case: someone has murdered one of the shogun's hereditory vassals, in an odd manner: the head was removed as though it were a war trophy, a bundori.Sano hasn't quite the social barriers that he had in Shinju, but there are other barriers in his way. The Bundori killer is a serial killer (we view his internal war and revenge fantasies in the parts that show him committing his crimes), a creature unknown to seventeenth century Japan. Through his consultation with Dr. Ito, a doctor imprisoned for having foreign books, Sano finds that there had been another, similar murder, and that there is a connection with an ancient military campaign. Unfortunately, one of the suspects (or possible future victim) is Chamberlin Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a man with Cheney-like control over the shogun, and a man who has a deep and abiding dislike for Sano.Adding to the barriers is the person assigned to help Sano: the castle's chief shrine attendant, who has the power to communicate with the spirit world - at least, that is the belief. Sano is grateful for the help, but unfortunately for him the shrine attendant is controlled by Yanagisawa.The attendant is actually Aoi, a ninja (there is a background explanation covering the relations between ninja and samurai; it's not good) who is at the castle to perform Yanagisawa's dirty work. As Yanagisawa does not want his history investigated, he uses her to mislead as much as possible. She is not happy to be working for Yanagisawa, admires Sano, and uses her own skills to make the barriers before him, if not easily passed, at least not impossible to overcome.Since the characters easily fall into the adversaries-attract category, I predict more Sano-Aoi partnerships in the next few books.
Having started the stories of Sano Ichiro with Shinju, I decided to progress onto the second book instead of jumping around in the series. I found the book to be enjoyable in both its changes and singularities.The story takes place just a couple of months after Shinju. Sano is learning his way around the ways of Edo Castle and his new lord, Tokugawa. When the Bundori killings begin (bundori is the ritual preparation of the head of one's enemy in the time of war. A war trophy), Sano is assigned to arrest the murdered.Not only does the murder plot, steeped in the history of one of the most notorious generals in the rise of the Tokugawa dynasty, engage the reader and keep the reader off guard, the political development of the story is rich and shows the venomous trends of life in Edo Castle.The story adds a number of interesting characters to the tapestry of Rowland's Edo. Hirata is competent and a good potential assistant to Sano. Aoi adds a new dynamic to the entire setting. She is strong and has her internal conflicts than carry on through the story.There is more to the book than plot and an interesting setting though, the end of the story sees a genuine change in the character. I definitely look forward to reading Way of the Traitor to see how that change is carried on to the next story.The book is a good and entertaining read.
What do You think about Bundori (1997)?
I found Bundori to be a frustrating book, but not because of the writing, or the story, or the plot points. It was frustrating because Sano was frustrated by Bushido, the set of principles, traditions, and customs that samuari were expected to adhere to. Sano's investigation was hampered by Bushido, his love life was hampered by Bushido, his friendships, lifestyle, even his acceptance by other samuari and his place in the Shogun's employ are all hampered by Bushido. Poor Sano can't catch a break, and while success does come to him as a samuari, he becomes more and more unhappy in his personal life, and more disillusioned with the path his professional life is on as his fortunes and his status improve. That's frustrating to have success with no happiness, and Rowland does an excellent job of conveying Sano's feelings to her readers.This is a book that you know very quickly is not going to have a happily ever after ending. Sano knows it, too, and still he does his duty, not trying to fight the desolation he knows will come at the end of this adventure. Sano's strength of character keeps the reader moving with him to his unsatisfying fate. In a world where almost everyone is desperately eager to only align themselves with individuals who are currently in favor with the elite, it doesn't seem right to waiver from Sano's side as he does his duty. So, the reader's heart breaks along with his, even as he achieves glory and favor from his lord. This is fine writing, and a story that is beautiful in its bleakness.
—Amy
Okay historical mystery set in 17th century Japan. The plot of the book often references real life events like the murder of Nobunaga Oda. I liked the historical backdrop, and I liked Sano, even though sometimes his strict adherence to bushido reads like pigheaded stubbornness. My favourite character was Hirata, and I'm curious to find out more about Reiko, but I don't know if I'll keep reading. The scenes with Yanagisawa were really skeevy... I don't think there was any need to describe him having sex with a minor in so much detail, the chapters from his POV were very uncomfortable to read.
—Ren
The second of the series was rather disappointing when compared to the first. The novel offered the same level of intensity but seemed to deviate further from secondary sources about the specific period. In particular, the author explores some disturbing sexual images that were unnecessary to the story's successful completion. If the description of sex is unnecessary, then it should be alluded to without description. To do otherwise is to cheapen the experience for the reader. Thus I liked it but did not find it amazing.
—Philip
