The Revenge of the Forty-Seven Samurai: An Action Adventure About a Servant Spy's Search for Identity in Feudal Japan for Kids

by Erik Christian Haugaard

In the time when the Shogun ruled Japan, two hundred samurai suffered a grave insult—their master met an unjust death. Forty-seven of them are courageous enough to avenge him. Jiro is a lowly servant to one of the brave samurai. Chosen as his master’s unlikely spy during the planning of the great revenge, Jiro must learn when to talk and when to listen, or at any moment he could lose his head to a samurai’s razor-sharp sword. And even as Jiro plays his small part in the unfolding plot, he searches for the truth about his own identity.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Japan, Young Adult, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Erik Haugaard was born in Denmark and has traveled extensively in the United States, Italy, Spain, and Japan. Called "a writer gifted in the art of the storyteller" by the BOSTON GLOBE, he is internationally known for his accomplishments as a playwright, poet, and translator.

Haugaard has written a number of acclaimed works for young adults that transport readers back to a time and place in history that placed upon children burdens nearly unimaginable to the contemporary North American adolescent. Religious strife, World War II, and feudal Japan are just some of the settings Haugaard has explored in his books, which usually feature a child whose hardships are made all the worse due to the loss of parents or other guardians.

Reviews

[Michael Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last of Haugaard's YA novels set in feudal Japan and notably his last published book. A discontent servant boy, Jiro, is swept into the revenge plans of his master, samurai Oishi-sama. Haugaard's Jiro is conflicted about respecting his master's bushido code and the enforced class disparity in homes, temples, the "floating world", markets, and theaters under Shogun rule. Jiro gradually learns to trust his instincts after he is befriended by an outspoken young samurai, Otaka Gengo, and begins to see his master's suicidal agenda from a new perspective.

[RyuKatayama08 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of the 47 ronin is a tale of revenge. Revenge for the execution of their leader Lord Osano by the hands of the opposing daimyo Kira. Erik Christian Haugaard tells this tale, not in the eyes of a samurai, but instead a servant named Jiro who is serving one of the Samurai known as Oishi-sama, one of Lord Osano's most respected retainers. Jiro is the spy of the group, Oishi-sama's eyes and ears in the common world. He is the key member to find spies that tries to infiltrate their final revenge plan, kill the person who murdered their master. Through this book, Jiro grows from just an obedient servant to someone well respected among its peers, a feat of its own for a servant. Haugaard's storytelling set the scene for a tale of revenge you can't forget.

[Karl Tenney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite being highly recommended I just couldn’t get into this one. I kept waiting for something to happen but it just didn’t. Lots of bowing and anger and sake, but not much action.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Historical fiction told from the perspective a teenager is definitely refreshing. Would recommend for anyone who is into Japanese history and culture.

[David Lugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Very engaging and easy to read. It’s a young adult novel, but there was some depth in its exploration of themes related to loyalty, personhood, goodness, and more.

[Mike Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are admittedly young adult books, but I'm hooked!

[Jerjonji · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simplistic look at a complex event.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good retelling of an important Japanese historical event.

[amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the 47 Ronin which I read at least a decade ago, but this retelling was rather boring. It isn't bad, but it certainly wasn't good, it was just blah.

[Jchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a YA book, it does a good job of taking on and retelling a profound story of loyalty and honor.