This book takes place in the early years of the Meiji restoration in Japan (1890 or so) and centers on Toyo Shimada. In the first few pages of the text, Toyo serves as witness to his uncle, Koji's, seppuku. Toyo enters Ichiko high school shortly thereafter. He deals with his emotions involving his beloved uncle's death as well as the abuse/hazing at the hands of the upperclassmen of Ichiko. Toyo's father begins to teach him bushido, the way of the sword, in Toyo's precious little free time. The lessons are often harsh, but Toyo learns to apply them to his baseball practice.
The book deals with identity in Meiji society: being an individual vs. being a group; modernity vs. tradition; the West vs. the East.
I've spent some time in Japan, studying language, and from what I can tell, Gratz gives a good account of life there. He also transports the reader to a critical time in Japan: the Meiji Restoration. When Commodore Perry forced Japan to "reopen" after centuries of seclusion, the Japanese were forced to modernize very quickly. Gratz deals with this idea as well as the need to maintain Japanese traditions.
I really enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. I have a personal affinity for Japan and felt the text transported me there. Gratz also deals with an historically significant time and applies it to a fictional character. There are a number of people who, I believe would also enjoy this book: those interested in Japan, history, samurai and baseball; male and female alike.
