GENPEI

Fantasy set in Japan during the 12th-century Heian period, from the author of the Blood of the Goddess trilogy (concluded with Bhagavati, 1998) and several yarns for younger readers set in the same Japanese historical milieu. Benzaiten, daughter of the powerful kami (spirit, or demon) Ryutin, the Dragon King, appears to young warrior Kiyomori of the seafaring Taira clan, promising him great worldly advancement. In return, Kiyomori must build Benzaiten a magnificent shrine. He agrees, and soon marries Tokiko, another of Ryutin's daughters, who vows wealth and influence for his descendants: indeed, one of his grandsons will be emperor. All Kiyomori must undertake is to return Kusanagi, the ancient and revered Imperial Sword, to the Dragon King. Again Kiyomori agrees. Elsewhere, the kami Hachiman, the war god, promises young Yoritomo of the Minomoto clan great rewards but great danger too. Previously, the retired emperor, Toba-In, had forced the young emperor, his son Sutoku, to retire and be succeeded by Konoe, Toba-In's favored younger son by his adored concubine. But the gods doom Toba-In to an early death. The Emperor Konoe also dies swiftly. Advised by a warrior monk, Sutoku plots to place his own son on the throne. So the stage is set for a rousing struggle, complete with battles, betrayals, heroism, demons, and the works.

Readers who can keep the names, lineages, and motives of the characters straight, and remain untroubled by culture shock, should find considerable enjoyment here. Those who can't, won't.