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利休にたずねよ
女のものと思われる緑釉の香合を肌身離さず持つ男・千利休は、おのれの美学だけで時の権力者・秀吉に対峙し、天下一の茶頭に昇り詰めていく。刀の抜き身のごとき鋭さを持つ利休は、秀吉の参謀としても、その力を如何なく発揮し、秀吉の天下取りを後押し。しかしその鋭さゆえに秀吉に疎まれ、理不尽な罪状を突きつけられて切腹を命ぜられる。利休の研ぎ澄まされた感性、艶やかで気迫に満ちた人生を生み出したものとは何だったのか。また、利休の「茶の道」を異界へと導いた、若き日の恋とは…。「侘び茶」を完成させ、「茶聖」と崇められている千利休。その伝説のベールを、思いがけない手法で剥がしていく長編歴史小説。第140回直木賞受賞作。解説は作家の宮部みゆき氏。
461 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 16, 2022
I must confess I'm quite dissapointed with the reading experience I had with this book.
Although I did not know many things about Sen no Rikyu and his role in Hideyoshi's guvernment before starting this novel, I aspected to be immersed into complicated politics and, maybe, some personal drama.
Instead, I got a 30% to 70% ratio in favor of the meaning of beauty, tea ceremony and what is truly
aesthetically pleasing...so you can guess I wasn't captivated from the first page.
To be fair, the writing is beautiful, not at all overdescriptive; the tea ceremony and it's importance for the Japanese society of that time is, in my opinion, correctly stressed to us- readers; and the dynamic between classes- with the corresponding complications - are very much on the page.
Another thing: the concepts of wabi and sabi and the whole art of tea is presented well enough for a non-Japanese audience interested in learning about it.
I think that Yamamoto failed to construct a compelling cast of characters and focused too much on setting and stressing the idea of "what is beautiful?".
Unfortunately, both main characters, Hideyoshi and Rikyu, are mostly one dimentional; and they are followed by equally, if not even more poorly written side characters with one single role - how to emphasize Rikyu's uniqueness....>..> (for example: the first wife and a zen monk- whom I believed initially to be a possible new MC offering us a completely different perspective on both Hideyoshi and Rikyu, but I was wrong)
Despite liking the narrative approach and story telling decision done by this author, I cannot accept the motif for Rikyu's dedication - allmost obsession- with "the way of the tea" (chanoyu): I find it as contradictory and deeply shallow for the impression created by other characters for us; We get a coward, dare I say a man with an unhealty behavior of deification of another person....MAJOR RED FLAG!!!!! >..<
Not to mention, how women are used to paint the MC as virtous and as an example for men...I understand the way of thinking express through Soon (Rikyu's wife) is accurate for that time, I still believe it could have being done better.
Another thing and with this I will conclude my review, so that I don't start ranting: I found Rikyu's arc to be destroyed by the last 3 chapters; the reader lied to when it comes to his core belief and, no actual explication given for the conflict between Hideyoshi and Rikyu (or, at most, just a hint without any follow up).
In conclusion, this book is meant for someone interested in the historical importance of chanoyu in Japan, tea as art and part of society, and no desire to delve deep into politics besides some light drama with little political content. I also think that someone already familiar with Japanese literature has higher chances of appreciating this book, than a first timer. Hope this review was useful!
Enjoy
Although I did not know many things about Sen no Rikyu and his role in Hideyoshi's guvernment before starting this novel, I aspected to be immersed into complicated politics and, maybe, some personal drama.
Instead, I got a 30% to 70% ratio in favor of the meaning of beauty, tea ceremony and what is truly
aesthetically pleasing...so you can guess I wasn't captivated from the first page.
To be fair, the writing is beautiful, not at all overdescriptive; the tea ceremony and it's importance for the Japanese society of that time is, in my opinion, correctly stressed to us- readers; and the dynamic between classes- with the corresponding complications - are very much on the page.
Another thing: the concepts of wabi and sabi and the whole art of tea is presented well enough for a non-Japanese audience interested in learning about it.
I think that Yamamoto failed to construct a compelling cast of characters and focused too much on setting and stressing the idea of "what is beautiful?".
Unfortunately, both main characters, Hideyoshi and Rikyu, are mostly one dimentional; and they are followed by equally, if not even more poorly written side characters with one single role - how to emphasize Rikyu's uniqueness....>..> (for example: the first wife and a zen monk- whom I believed initially to be a possible new MC offering us a completely different perspective on both Hideyoshi and Rikyu, but I was wrong)
Despite liking the narrative approach and story telling decision done by this author, I cannot accept the motif for Rikyu's dedication - allmost obsession- with "the way of the tea" (chanoyu): I find it as contradictory and deeply shallow for the impression created by other characters for us; We get a coward, dare I say a man with an unhealty behavior of deification of another person....MAJOR RED FLAG!!!!! >..<
Not to mention, how women are used to paint the MC as virtous and as an example for men...I understand the way of thinking express through Soon (Rikyu's wife) is accurate for that time, I still believe it could have being done better.
Another thing and with this I will conclude my review, so that I don't start ranting: I found Rikyu's arc to be destroyed by the last 3 chapters; the reader lied to when it comes to his core belief and, no actual explication given for the conflict between Hideyoshi and Rikyu (or, at most, just a hint without any follow up).
In conclusion, this book is meant for someone interested in the historical importance of chanoyu in Japan, tea as art and part of society, and no desire to delve deep into politics besides some light drama with little political content. I also think that someone already familiar with Japanese literature has higher chances of appreciating this book, than a first timer. Hope this review was useful!
Enjoy
July 18, 2021
If you pick up this book be prepared to deal with an invasion of Japanese terms that make it somewhat difficult to read (if you are like me, you will simply pass over the many terms that you don't understand and just focus on the main ones whose meaning can be deduced from the context). However, if you are able to move past this vocabulary issue, I promise you that you will never look at a piece of pottery the same as before. The lush descriptions of the instruments that they use to make and serve tea form a study in material culture to the extent that I have never encountered in literary fiction. Trust me, you will want the green bowl for yourself by the end of the novel. The story unfolds backwards after we learn that the master of tea making Rikyu was asked to commit seppuku by the great ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi and it turns into an enthralling story about a man's desire to have something beautiful only for himself. This quest for beauty in all of its forms is at once the main characters' greatest strength and his greatest character flaw. I am planning to also watch the movie because I am interested to see those beautiful tea cups and bowls for real.
February 14, 2025
J'ai été absolument transportée par cette lecture que j'ai savouré sur les trajets de métro du travail cette semaine.
- Je ne me souviens pas du dernier livre japonais qui m'ait impressionné par la fluidité dans la langue traduite (en l'occurence, le français). Je ne peux évidemment pas juger de l'oeuvre originale, mais je fais confiance aux juges japonais qui ont récompensé ce livre du prix Naoki (le plus prestigieux au Japon à égalité avec celui d'Akagawa). Bravo, merci profondément aux traducteurs Yoko Kawada-Sim et Silvain Chupin pour cette oeuvre d'art.
- Un récit envoûtant qui dévoile, une brume après une autre, le mystère derrière cet harakiri ordonné par le shogun Hideyoshi. Et au passage, des vraies réflexions.
- J'en retire l'importance des rituels dans les relations. De la réflexion investie dans les préparatifs d'un accueil, qui aura un impact sur la relation. De chaque cérémonie vécue comme une unique rencontre, et parfois ultime. Des trois venins bouddhistes. De l'importance de l'harmonie et sérénité entre les convives plutôt que des joutes orales. De l'importance de développer sa propre voie plutôt que la sécurité de la copie.
- Je ne me souviens pas du dernier livre japonais qui m'ait impressionné par la fluidité dans la langue traduite (en l'occurence, le français). Je ne peux évidemment pas juger de l'oeuvre originale, mais je fais confiance aux juges japonais qui ont récompensé ce livre du prix Naoki (le plus prestigieux au Japon à égalité avec celui d'Akagawa). Bravo, merci profondément aux traducteurs Yoko Kawada-Sim et Silvain Chupin pour cette oeuvre d'art.
- Un récit envoûtant qui dévoile, une brume après une autre, le mystère derrière cet harakiri ordonné par le shogun Hideyoshi. Et au passage, des vraies réflexions.
- J'en retire l'importance des rituels dans les relations. De la réflexion investie dans les préparatifs d'un accueil, qui aura un impact sur la relation. De chaque cérémonie vécue comme une unique rencontre, et parfois ultime. Des trois venins bouddhistes. De l'importance de l'harmonie et sérénité entre les convives plutôt que des joutes orales. De l'importance de développer sa propre voie plutôt que la sécurité de la copie.
November 10, 2024
The intrigue-filled world of the Toyotomi Hideoyoshi's royal court with the irresistible character of the great tea master Sen no Rikyuu encircled by mistery, art and human passion. I was so enthralled by this world and character that I immediately had to see Mitsutoshi Tanaka's film adaptation from 2013. The book and its world is an intoxicating and simultaneously purifying experience.
November 9, 2016
在讀山本兼一的小說《利休之死》以前，一直不了解日本茶道的意義精神是什麼，看完之後，總算稍微知道茶道的價值和意義。
對於茶道的亭主而言，在泡茶給茶客時，心中所想的，就是該怎麼做，才能用一杯茶，讓對方滿足。不管是茶室所蓋的地點，光線與顏色的安排、擺設、茶具、沸水的聲音，無一不是為了這個目的而舖陳。
在茶道中，講究的不是華麗的裝飾，也不是不自然的清寂冷清，不是櫻花的嬌艷，也不是寒冬中的枯葉，而是一個截然不同的境界。這與我們在許多藝術中所追求的境界，其實是有異曲同工之處。
就像在書中豐臣秀吉(也是茶道中人)與外國人的對話，歐洲人不能理解日本人為了茶道，花費大筆金錢購買小小的茶壺。豐臣秀吉說：「茶罐起碼具有茶的功用，你們珍惜的珠寶，只能裝飾，一點用也沒有。」不同的文化，重視的對象不同，但對重視的物品，願意付出高價的心態，則是相同的。
茶道也承載日本文化許多社交的掩飾，只要是在茶室，自然而然是在談茶道，許多秘密的商議，卻也是透過這種形式完成。另外，無論彼此如何仇視，只要進入茶室，把茶擺在中間，大家就能以禮相談。
小說用倒敘的方式，從利休為茶道而切腹那天開始，逐漸回溯到他少年時期，把利休步入茶道的歷程，抽絲剝繭地娓娓道來，不管以小說形式而言，或是要了解利休茶道思想的形成，都是一個很好的閱讀經驗。
對於茶道的亭主而言，在泡茶給茶客時，心中所想的，就是該怎麼做，才能用一杯茶，讓對方滿足。不管是茶室所蓋的地點，光線與顏色的安排、擺設、茶具、沸水的聲音，無一不是為了這個目的而舖陳。
在茶道中，講究的不是華麗的裝飾，也不是不自然的清寂冷清，不是櫻花的嬌艷，也不是寒冬中的枯葉，而是一個截然不同的境界。這與我們在許多藝術中所追求的境界，其實是有異曲同工之處。
就像在書中豐臣秀吉(也是茶道中人)與外國人的對話，歐洲人不能理解日本人為了茶道，花費大筆金錢購買小小的茶壺。豐臣秀吉說：「茶罐起碼具有茶的功用，你們珍惜的珠寶，只能裝飾，一點用也沒有。」不同的文化，重視的對象不同，但對重視的物品，願意付出高價的心態，則是相同的。
茶道也承載日本文化許多社交的掩飾，只要是在茶室，自然而然是在談茶道，許多秘密的商議，卻也是透過這種形式完成。另外，無論彼此如何仇視，只要進入茶室，把茶擺在中間，大家就能以禮相談。
小說用倒敘的方式，從利休為茶道而切腹那天開始，逐漸回溯到他少年時期，把利休步入茶道的歷程，抽絲剝繭地娓娓道來，不管以小說形式而言，或是要了解利休茶道思想的形成，都是一個很好的閱讀經驗。
November 19, 2023
Rikyu is portrayed in the book as a wise person who has a keen appreciation of beauty and penetrating insight into politics, but I found his greed for beauty and women disgusting.
Beauty in the art of tea is also described, but it didn't get to my heart.
Beauty in the art of tea is also described, but it didn't get to my heart.
July 9, 2019
It was a mistake me trying to read this if french... the mix of ancient japan specific terms and my rusty french made this a difficult read... to re-try in Romanian (or English)
December 5, 2015
這書從千利休切腹之前開始，倒敘他追求茶道、追求美感的歷程。不同的人物、不同的視角，有崇拜、有輕蔑、有讚嘆、有惱怒、有貪欲、有忌妒，但是不論是甚麼樣的人懷著甚麼樣的心情進入他的茶室，都不會不被他引出的美感所打動。他的茶道，是撫慰人心的茶道，他的追求，卻是貫串一生的堅持。隨著時間的倒流，我們逐漸發現，他一生的追求，根源於那年輕時的短短驚豔，而他的堅持，卻是那一時懦弱的償贖。
山本兼一寫得很好，這不僅是一個歷史謎團的推斷回顧，還呈現了茶道美學的根源面目。
日本茶道始於禪。
我想，或許是因為要在空寂之中悟得禪的這種境界太高，不是平常人唾手可得的，轉而以世俗化的茶道來呈現。茶道要求不高，直接透過六根六釋，讓人能夠感知到空枯寂雅的境界，這是近乎禪的境界了嗎?
山本兼一寫得很好，這不僅是一個歷史謎團的推斷回顧，還呈現了茶道美學的根源面目。
日本茶道始於禪。
我想，或許是因為要在空寂之中悟得禪的這種境界太高，不是平常人唾手可得的，轉而以世俗化的茶道來呈現。茶道要求不高，直接透過六根六釋，讓人能夠感知到空枯寂雅的境界，這是近乎禪的境界了嗎?
October 14, 2015
說穿了，茶道就是那個年代的時尚，或是企業大佬的高球，千利休是其中最行的高手高手高高手，但是你也知道，打球賭博老是打贏老闆的下場。「利休之死」雖是串題主軸，然而本書重點與其說是作者假借各方人物的觀點詮釋利休，倒不如說，作者藉由不同身份地位的觀點，對「日本茶道」（潮流風尚之物）作了一次檢視，掌權者視為攏絡之道，智者唾棄其嘩眾取寵名不符實。
《利休之死》較特別的部份是全書使用倒敘法，從利休的結局開始講起，回推到他19歲的那一年。不過各章節的關聯性並不強，獨立抽取出來閱讀也不影響上下文，只是個寫作花招罷了。
《利休之死》較特別的部份是全書使用倒敘法，從利休的結局開始講起，回推到他19歲的那一年。不過各章節的關聯性並不強，獨立抽取出來閱讀也不影響上下文，只是個寫作花招罷了。
February 29, 2016
Un très beau livre sur la recherche de la perfection, sur la nostalgie de l'amour parfait.
May 22, 2017
Humanitas fiction
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