THE THREE BAMBOOS

In the story of a Japanese family (which might be based on the Mitsui or the subish) is given the background picture of the psychological forces driving the Japanese towards today's crisis. Stemming back to 1853, when the Samurai progenitor under the Tokugawa founded a family which grew to vast ambitions and financial power, the story concentrates on the ramifications by which the wealth and power grew and spread, and the aim of a Nippon all victorious was the central dream. There was conflict as Occidental ways perverted the Samurai and Fureno codes to one end. Tenjo, eldest son, was ruthless, whether officials, nobles, military, or even his own son's American wife, stood in his way. He bends when necessary -- goes with the crowd when his interests so dictate; he forces his ways on his son, Tomo; another Tenjo wood Germany, hates the British, subscribes to the creed of Bushido, and helps generate the fuse that brings the great gamble to a head on December 7th, 1942. The Three Bamboos are the emblem of the Furo family, symbols of yield to any wind that blows. The author lived in Japan for years and has his facts at first hand. To those who find non-fiction analyzing the Japanese mind difficult reading, this may prove equally sound and easier reading. But fiction -- with a Japanese setting -- is notoriously difficult to sell. Stress its value as an authentic picture of the enemy mind.