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Why Is Takeshi Known as “the Wolf”? The novel never explains the origin of the epithet, but to Western readers the answer seems obvious: his predatory nature, on full display from the very first chapter when he led the raid on Yasuda village. Yet how did Japanese culture actually perceive the wolf? In Europe, the…
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When Western readers think of samurai stories, the image that comes to mind tends to be a lone warrior on a personal journey: one protagonist, one quest, one perspective held tight from the first page to the last. It’s a powerful structure, and it defines much of the samurai literary tradition, from Shūhei Fujisawa’s intimate…
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My novel’s cover is almost ready, but I still need to write the back cover text. This is what I came up with so far. As the Izumo Empire falls into ruin, Takeshi the Wolf leads the Hachiman Dogs: ronin who burn villages for coin, leaving only corpses in their wake. But when they slaughter…
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In Ronin: The Wolf’s Path, I wanted to create a world that resembled Japan during the Sengoku era (1467-1615) as faithfully as possible. However, this is a grimdark fantasy novel (characterized by morally ambiguous characters and a darker, more realistic tone) set in the fictional empire of Izumo. Fans of the samurai world will find…
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The second chapter of Ronin: The Wolf’s Path plunges readers into a fierce battle as Zasuro leads the Natsaka clan’s assault on a Yushuma clan castle. During this siege, Sengoku-era weapons and equipment appear that many readers won’t be familiar with. Which siege weapons are authentic to the period, and which are creative liberties? The…
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The original/historically appropriate name was Rin. See The Challenge of Sengoku Names for an explanation of name choices. The Hachiman Dogs aren’t just a band of warriors, but also include a female section. While most serve in logistical support roles, five women regularly get their hands bloody in different capacities. In this article we’ll examine…
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Early in the novel Ronin: The Wolf’s Path, Takeshi defeats several samurai while escaping from Yasuda village. How plausible are the feats described? I wanted the protagonist, a living legend like Takeshi, to display skill at the very limit of human capability. Through Jiro’s eyes, we first learn the ronin’s reputation: a man wanted in…
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Ronin: The Wolf’s Path opens its first chapter with the Hachiman Dogs sacking a village and putting everyone to the sword; Takeshi singing a harvest tune in the midst of the carnage while arrows pass mere inches from his head. An assignment from the Natsaka clan to deprive their rivals of supplies. Could something similar…
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Comprising hundreds of well-equipped ronin and even including a cavalry unit, the band led by Takeshi the Wolf would have been an anomaly during the Sengoku period. While bandit groups with horses did exist, their numbers (from what I’ve been able to research) never reached such heights. The closest historical precedent would be the “Wildcats.”…
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In a cruel and ruthless world, Zasuro stands out with his unwavering sense of duty and justice: a ray of light cutting through the darkness. Numerous characters find themselves irresistibly drawn to this charismatic prince who grew up as a hostage among his enemies before returning to his people in a daring escape. He’s a…
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Welcome to my website. On this site you will find information about my published works (characters, historical details, sources of inspiration, etc.) as well as articles about Sengoku Jidai and samurai history.
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Get notified when Ronin: The Wolf’s Path is available. Brutal samurai warfare meets cosmic horror in this grimdark fantasy debut.
Robert Nakamura 