HAKKENDEN was the best seller novel in the late Tokugawa Shogun's period, early 19th century. It was published in 1814-1842, just before U.S.Navy Commodore Perry's first visit to Japan (1853).
It was written by Kyokutei Bakin (1767-1848), the first professional writer in Japan. He was born into the Samurai Class. His real name was Takizawa Okikuni. He had Pen and Sword. It took Bakin almost 30 years to finish Hakkenden. The amazing fact about this is that he wrote the last third of Hakkenden while he was totally blind.
Nansoo Satomi Hakkenden is a complex story spanning 181 chapters and is considered one of the great literary works to emerge from the Edo/Tokugawa Era. Bakin was heavily influenced by classical Chinese romances, and thus, Hakkenden is a unique fusion of the classical Chinese romance, a Confucian text, and the Tokugawa Shogun culture. It is the longest work of Japanese fiction and possibly the longest written romance ever.
This is the introduction of the story...
In an area of Japan called Awa, there are two families that control the area, the Satomi Clan and the Anzai Clan. The Satomi fall upon hard times and ask the Anzai for help. Rather than sending aid, Lord Anzai sends troops to destroy the Satomi, who, overwhelmed by hunger and the Anzai forces, barricade themselves within their castle.
Some days after the siege had begun, the defenders ran out of food. Seven days without food and they lose the power to fight. Finally, after numerous failed attempts to assassinate Lord Anzai, the Satomi realize that they have no other choice than to surrender.
During the last night, Lord Satomi Yoshizane (Nagazuka Kyozo) said jokingly to the family's dog, "If you kill Anzai Kagetsura, I will give my daughter to you in marriage." The dog believed him and killed the enemy. However, Yoshizane refuses to uphold his promise, but Princess Fusehime (Nakama Yukie), a stickler for promises, insists on upholding it and leaves with Yatsufusa for the mountains.
A year or so passes, and The Princess finds out in a vision that she is pregnant in a virgin birth(a litter of 8), and that the Satomi clan has a curse upon it. She is ashamed of conceiving a dog's child. About this time, a former retainer of the Satomi clan comes into the mountains to save Fusehime.
Tragically, in his attempt to shoot and kill Yatsufusa, he instead shoots Fusehime, who, realizing that she is dying and fearing what she may give birth to, kills herself (Thus, in an "honorable act," she has avoided her fate and paved the way to lift the Satomi curse). As she dies, the 8 beads on a rosary that she wears begin to glow and then fly off into the night.
Within few years, 8 sons are born to fathers whose last names begin with the kanji for dog, "Inu." Each of these sons is born holding one of the 8 beads from Fusehime's rosary. Within each of those beads is written a kanji that represents a Confucian ideal. These boys grow up as the embodiment of that particular ideal. These "Eight Dog Warriors" are to lift the curse from the Satomi family.
Here's a list of the Eight Dog Warriors:
Inuzuka Shino (Takizawa Hideaki) - read "KOO" meaning Filial Piety
Shino is currently being hunted for presenting a fake version of the "Murasame," a sword which is to be wielded by the true ruler of Kantoo (the Tokyo region). He was supposed to marry Hamaji (Ayase Haruka), his uncle and aunt's foster child.
Inukawa Sosuke (Sato Ryuta) - read "GI" representing Justice/Honor
Sosuke is currently being held in custody for the murder of his masters, Shino's uncle and aunt, and the Jindai. Sosuke and Shino have been friends since childhood. In a fight with Dosetsu (Ozawa Yukiyoshi), his bead was switched with Dosetsu's.
Inuyama Dosetsu (Ozawa Yukiyoshi) - read "CHUU" meaning Heart
Dosetsu is currently in possession of the real "Murasame," which he took from Aboshi. He is the half-brother of Hamaji, Shino's fiancée, from whom he was separated when he was a baby. However, Aboshi tricked him with an illusion, and he accidentally cut down his sister. He is definitely the coolest of all the Dog Warriors since he can make big bangs with his gunpowder. He is currently unknowingly carrying Sosuke's bead.
Inukai Genpachi (Oshio Manabu) - read "SHIN" and stands for Truth/Faith
Not much is know about him yet, but he's a real psycho.
Inuda Kobungo (Shoei) - read "TEI" and represents Service to Elders
He's a big and strong guy but is really kind of quiet and timid.
Inuzaka Keno (Yamada Yu) - read "CHI" and represents Wisdom/Intellect/Reason
All I know is that he likes to dress up as a girl.
Inumura Daikaku (Katsuji Ryo) - read "REI" and stands for Courtesy/Appreciation
I don't really know anything about him.
Inue Shinbei (Yamashita Shoon) - read "JIN" meaning Benevolence/Compassion/Humanity
The nephew of Kobungo.
Source:
http://www.cjas.org/~echen/articles/spring96/04_13b.html
http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~opaku/shogun/_________________
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