The prose in this book was not very good. It kept jarring me out of the novel, which is a setting I really enjoy. Ultimately gave up on the book about halfway.

Rating of 4.25

Intriguing new author C. A. Parker dives into an intriguing area of Japanese history with his debut novel, Song of the Samurai, a fantastic and deeply compelling historical read that I had a wonderful time getting through.

Plot Synopsis:

Japan, 1745, is a land under the iron grip of the Tokugawa shoguns. Roads are monitored, dissent stifled, and order maintained through blackmail and an extensive network of informers. Amid rumors of rebellion, Kurosawa Kinko– samurai and monk– is expelled in disgrace as the head music instructor of his Zen temple in Nagasaki. He begins an odyssey across Japan, dogged by agents and assassins from an unknown foe. Along his journey, Kinko encounters a compelling cast of merchants, ronin, courtesans, spies, warriors, hermits, and spirits, on a quest to redeem his honor. Inspired by the life of the historical Kurosawa Kinko (1710-1771), master of the shakuhachi flute and founder of the Kinko-ryu school, Song of the Samurai takes the reader on a richly-textured exploration of feudal Japan and the complexities of the human spirit.

Song of the Samurai is the debut novel of C. A. Parker and provides readers with a compelling and fascinating historical adventure that also utilises the author’s personal passions and passes on a heartfelt message about spirituality and self-determination.

The plot of Song of the Samurai is a fictionalised narrative of real-life historical figure Kurosawa Kinko, who is known for his teachings and spiritual journeys to learn the Japanese shakuhachi flute. Parker reimagines Kinko’s history somewhat by showing him as a young man who undertakes an extended pilgrimage from his original temple in Nagasaki all the way to the capital in Edo. Banished from his temple due to a romantic scandal, Kinko initially starts the journey in disgrace, but soon embraces his pilgrimage, learning more and more about the people of Japan. This ended up feeling like a bit of a quest narrative, and Parker throws in some fantastic side stories brought on by the multitude of intriguing and unique supporting characters the protagonist encounters along the way, including bandits, spies, courtesans, peasants, fellow monks and more.

While many of these side storylines don’t last too long, they do weave together into a compelling tapestry of events that aim to enhance Kinko’s personal journey. There is a particular focus on the spiritual, as Kinko begins to fully appreciate the significance of the shakuhachi and the music that he plays, as well as the many different people who make up the nation of Japan. I loved the impressive character development that surrounded the protagonist throughout this book, and the growth in spirit and attitude makes for a moving heart to this great narrative. Parker also works in a compelling recurring storyline about espionage and potential rebellion against the ruling Shogun family, as Kinko finds himself wandering the outskirts of dangerous actions. This part of the book adds in a little necessary excitement and action, and I think it balanced well with the historical and personal elements of the narrative. While I did think this espionage element could have been a stronger part of the plot, especially as it gets sidelined several times throughout Song of the Samurai, for the most part this was a particularly engrossing and captivating story, and one that I had had a fun time getting through.

As a huge admirer of Japanese history, I felt that Parker did an exceptional job of capturing the feel and impact of the setting throughout his narrative, and the many, many depictions of Feudal Japan was an impressive part of Song of the Samurai. Thanks to his wandering protagonist, Parker visits a ton of major cities and towns throughout Japan, and I loved the elaborate descriptions that were featured, especially as the author goes out of his way to cover some of the most intriguing parts of the country. I personally loved it when Kinko visited locations I have been to, and you can really feel the author’s love for the setting through his writing. Parker also makes sure to fit in a lot of discussion about key parts of Japanese history and mythology throughout the book, often included as part of a conversation or the protagonist’s thoughts. While some of these historical inclusions weren’t as organic as they could have been, for the most part I found them to be very fascinating, and they added some excellent context to the locations the protagonist visited.

Unsurprisingly when you consider the title of the book and the author’s passion for the shakuhachi flute, there is a huge focus on music in Song of the Samurai. The playing of the shakuhachi is a huge part of the protagonist’s identity as a monk and as a man, and the author really tries to capture Kinko’s love of the flute with his excellent writing. The many, many scenes of Kinko playing his music are some of the best parts of Song of the Samurai, and it allowed the author to showcase the protagonist’s spiritual connection to the music and provide him with new insights into the world around him, especially as he finds music in many different people and locations. The extended sequence where Kinko spent time learning music from a hermit monk on-top of the mountain was particularly fascinating, and I liked how moving those scenes came across. I felt that the author did an excellent job of readapting Kurosawa Kinko’s life story in the book by showcasing these early stages of his lifelong mission to collect and understand music, and you will come away from Song of the Samurai with a whole new appreciation for traditional Japanese music.

Overall, I felt that Song of the Samurai was an outstanding and intriguing debut novel from C. A. Parker, and one I was very glad I decided to check out. Featuring an outstanding historical story that blended great characters with unique locations, Song of the Samurai was an excellent read, and one of the more unique novels of 2024.

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Can one be happy with doing less? You can definitely meditate on this question with ‘Song of the Samurai’ by C.A. Parker.

Kurosawa Kinko belongs to a community of Samurai monks (The Komusō) from the order of Fuke-shū, which preaches humility and absence of ego. The Komusō monks are famed for playing a special type of bamboo flute (shakuhachi), and earn their living by collecting alms. Young Kurosawa has been quickly rising through the ranks in a temple in Nagasaki thanks to his musical talents. However, after an illicit affair with a married noblewoman, Kurosawa is expelled and transferred to another temple in Edo (Tokyo) to undertake a position as a musical teacher. In 1745 Japan this journey is not be easy - the country is under the Shogunate control, political unrest is palpable and the roads are far from safe. Along his journey across feudal Japan, Kurosawa crosses paths with merchants, ronins, courtesans, artists, and finally other monks. They exchange stories and music, share adventures, and Kinko is forced to face his prejudices and stereotypical worldview. He begins to doubt his religious order, the oral tradition, his beliefs, and the education he received. Most importantly, he recalibrates his musicianship and discovers its meditative qualities.

It took me a moment to warm up to Kurosawa. Throughout most of the book, he was rather intellectually arrogant, pretentious and quite misadjusted to real life. His lack of self-awareness was obvious, yet he was convinced of his superiority. I know that is a great start for a character embarking on a self-discovery journey, I just found it difficult to connect with his experiences for a while. To a person brought up in the catholic church, it initially felt like a parable - a simple story full of spiritual lessons about the benefits of suffering and searching within (a bit of a cringe). But later on, Kurosawa’s existential crisis became highly evocative. Midway through his journey, his POV shifts from being the center of attention to an observer. The questions he asks himself or is asked by people on his path can easily become therapeutic exercises: the need to reflect and heal to find peace in life, grieving as part of growth, being more aware, and realizing your attachments, finding the quality in taking time, focusing on small things, and not rushing. Can one be happy with doing less? With being less political, less performative, less ambitious? I am usually not the one to use self-help books or meditate, but I appreciate how this book gave me that impression without being superficially blunt. I especially loved how Kintsugi can be applied to life- making an art of celebrating flaws. The places of brokenness make us who we are; they’re what make us unique and beautiful. Altogether, it made for a nice ending about finding your place and pace.

Song of the Samurai is packed with cultural and historical tidbits. It was perfect for exploring the beautiful locations and scenery of Japan, enhancing my Vorfreude for my upcoming trip. The depiction of seasonal light changes was enchanting. I was surprised to find that the novel was inspired by the life of the historical figure Kurosawa Kinko, the legendary master of the shakuhachi flute. Song of the Samurai was not what I expected when I saw the word “samurai” in the title, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s a complex, vibrant take on The Canterbury Tales showcasing how music can enhance mindfulness.

PS. I only wished at times that the political plot was developed more, but I can see how its irrelevance was part of the message.

Thank you Running Wild Press and NetGalley for providing this book for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. Since the story is only loosely based on an historical person, I'm not sure why there wasn't more plot added. This more like a travelogue than a novel. I guess that's just not my thing?

Some sections are rather info-dumpy (and I tend to love a good info-dump, but these felt more... lecture-y). I don't have a substantial background in Japanese history so found some of the details harder to keep straight. (There is a fairly comprehensive glossary in the back, but that wasn't apparent in the digital file-- linking with a footnote function, or placing at the front of the book, would probably help more people find it.)

This book is probably best for readers who like an immersive setting. eARC from NetGalley.

I enjoyed Song of the Samurai for its descriptiveness, characterizations, and overall message. Kurosawa Kinko, the protagonist, is a samurai and a monk in the Fuke order. He is reprimanded after being involved in an illicit affair and transferred to another temple on the opposite end of Japan to teach music. The journey to his new position becomes a parallel journey of self-examination, as his most basic assumptions about his social standing, religion and even his musical expression are challenged by what he experiences. It’s a journey where both the physical and spiritual progress feels earned, which made it enjoyable to read.

The descriptions of the land and people are vivid. I had a very clear picture of the landscape Kurosawa moved through, as well as the people he met. I also appreciated good explanations of the social structures and social mores of the period.

Kurosawa is well-crafted and relatable: likable and smart at first introduction, then gradually you begin to see the flaws in his character. It makes him more human, which keeps the story compelling. The other characters provide good foils and object lessons for Kurosawa along his journey.

If I have one critique it’s the political intrigue with regard to the shogun and his lords felt a little disconnected to the rest of the story. The story opens with this plot line, and I kept expecting it to develop more over the course of the story during Kurosawa’s journey, but it stayed largely in the background. While this plot element does eventually come to a resolution, it felt a little distracting to the main story,

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and highly recommended!

In this complex and fascinating historical fiction novel, readers travel to mid-eighteenth century Tokugawa Japan where samurai monk Kurosawa Kino is expelled from his Zen temple in Nagasaki. Following him on his journey across Japan to the capital, Edo, readers join Kurosawa as agents, assassins, spirits, merchants, ronin, courtesans, spies, samurai, and many others cross paths with this fascinating complex character. Inspired by a true historical figure who was also a shakuhachi flute player and a music teacher, readers experience all walks of life from Tokugawa Japan as they cross the landscape of this isolated island kingdom. Full of incredible characters and beautiful locations, Parker’s book is packed full of historical detail and vibrant information pulled from history and transposed onto this incredibly detailed novel. Parker’s work is absolutely magnificent, and his prose is fascinating, exciting, and engaging. Reminiscent of the other great travel epics of classic literature, Parker’s book is immersive, impeccably detailed, and wonderfully structured around Kurosawa’s journey across southern Japan. Kurosawa is an interestingly complex protagonist on a great journey, and his interactions with the other complex characters adds to the atmosphere and historical setting of this incredible historical fiction novel set during the Tokugawa shogunate period.

Song of the Samurai is a difficult book to quantify. For one it’s definitely more song than samurai. If you go into it expecting sword fights and Bushido you will be disappointed.

The book is more a reflective look at one monks place in the world when (through his own actions) that place has been taken away from him.

It is a slow somewhat meandering travelogue through Edo era japan. We follow Kinko Kurosawas journey from Nagasaki to Edo as he learns more about the shakuhachi flute he is considered an expert in and also more about himself and how he fits into his new life.

I enjoyed the book greatly. It is clearly well researched and evocatively written. The scenery and places leap from the page and make me want to visit every shrine in Japan.

Would recommend to fans of the tv show “Shogun” and of Japanese culture in general.

Thank you to Running Wild press and to Netgalley for the ARC

Will not post review of this book. Was not what I expected in the story about a samurai. Title led to different expectations

Kinko Kurosawa is a master of the shakuhachi flute and his performances are legendary. The problem is, in 1745 Japan, being a samurai, monk, and musician can be a dicey proposition, especially if you have feelings for a woman who is part of a powerful dynastic clan. When Kurosawa is expelled from his Zen temple in Nagasaki, he begins a pilgrimage across a country tightly controlled by the Shogun and his agents. He meets ronin, courtesans, spies, lives with a hermit for a few months, befriends merchants (who at the time were considered the lowest of classes) and comes face-to-face with his own weaknesses and limitations as he realizes that his shakuhachi isn't for performances at all, but a tool of profound meditation and self-reflection.

I really enjoyed this wonderful adventure story quite a bit and was a bit saddened when it ended. Kurosawa is an everyman, even in this historical era, and even with a protagonist who is a samurai and monk, and his journey of self-discovery is intriguing and engaging. Highly recommended, and a fascinating adjunct to the FX series "Shogun" too, which is (more or less) set in the same era.

This was a well written book. Parker is particularly good on the worldbuilding front and I think the characters were well realised.

I really liked this book, and I think the world-building and character creation worked great together. I found them to be dynamic and very entertaining to read