Shōgun, Part 1 (Asian Saga, #1)

by James Clavell

but he had remembered the old adage that you can always increase a fief, but to reduce one causes enmity.

“Perhaps that is why we love life so much, Anjin-san. You see, we have to. Death is part of our air and sea and earth. You should know, Anjin-san, in this Land of Tears, death is our heritage.”