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THE SAMURAI'S DAUGHTER by Robert D. San Souci

THE SAMURAI'S DAUGHTER

by Robert D. San Souci & illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson

Pub Date: Oct. 1st, 1992
ISBN: 0-8037-1135-2
Publisher: Dial Books

From medieval Japan (as detailed in a careful note), a wonderful legend about the dauntless Tokoyo, whose beloved father Kuma has taught her the samurai virtues, plus such manly arts as riding; and who insists, despite her noble birth, on learning to dive for pearls, a traditional skill of women of the Oki Islands. When Kuma loses favor and is unjustly exiled, Tokoyo follows, braving ghosts, battling a sea monster, and bringing up a submerged statue of the ruler. Thus she ends the statue's curse and dispels the ruler's madness: he summons Kuma home, honoring him and his courageous daughter. The action-filled story is admirably retold, while newcomer Johnson offers dramatic, elegantly balanced paintings in rich, subtly harmonious colors; his tender compositions depicting Kuma and Tokoyo at their parting, and again at their reunion, are especially fine. Like Merrill's The Girl Who Loved Caterpillars (p. 1191), an unusual glimpse of an independent-minded girl in long-ago Japan; a handsome book that will have many uses. (Folklore/Picture book. 5-10)