The Samurai's Tale

A cook on Akiyama’s estate, Togan becomes Taro’s first mentor. Togan is a strong man with a large head who is polite and respectful to everyone, even Taro, the lowest-ranking servant on the estate. He is in his thirties and is among the few servants who can read. He is full of wise sayings, and he makes highly valued flutes. He becomes a father figure to Taro and tries to teach him contentment even in his low social status. Togan also loves wrestling, and his pride in his strength leads to his death. He is killed after he goes to a wrestling match with Taro in a poor part of the city and complains loudly about the quality of the matches and the venue. A soldier who bullied Taro earlier in the book tries to extort money from Togan and then attacks him and Taro. When Togan fights back, the soldier fatally stabs him. Taro later reflects that his time with Togan was one of the best periods in his life.

A powerful warlord who rules the region of Kai, Takeda is a constant presence in the novel even though he rarely appears in person. At the beginning of the novel, he spares Taro’s life after having his family killed and gives the young boy to Akiyama as a servant.

Takeda casts a long shadow from the background as he leads armies, wins battles, and gives orders. His goal is to conquer all of Japan, and he is ruthless in his pursuit of power. As a young man, he deposed his father, and when his son Yoshinobu leads a revolt against him, he has him imprisoned and sends Katsuyori, another son, to either kill him or order his death in prison. However, Takeda is also charismatic, intelligent, and honest, and he earns the loyalty of many generals. He allows Akiyama to marry Lady Toyama and, as he dies, he exhorts Harutomo to remain loyal to Akiyama.

One of Takeda’s top generals, Akiyama becomes Taro’s father figure and mentor. He is a bold leader with a good mind for strategy who earns the loyalty of his men. Like Takeda, he can be ruthless in pursuit of victory. For example, he burns villages on his way to Iwamura Castle to force the villagers to flee to the castle and thus deplete its food stores. He later orders a small force of supply troops and cavalry to draw defenders out of the castle, knowing that many of them will be killed.

Akiyama can also be a diplomatic and honorable man of his word. For example, after laying the trap for the defenders of Iwamura Castle, he convinces them to surrender rather than be killed, and he then orders that they be fed and treated well. He shows affection for Taro, promotes him several times, mentors him, and gives the young man a name that includes part of his own.

The general shows a softer side after marrying Lady Toyama. Near 50, he starts dressing like a young man and treats his fighters to hunting parties, archery competitions, and feasts. He also shows loyalty, sending warriors to aid Katsuyori for the sake of his father even though he doesn’t agree with the younger warlord’s decisions. At the end of the novel, Akiyama is crucified by Lord Oda.

A warm, good-humored, and philosophical young man, Yoshitoki becomes Harutomo’s best friend when they work together as messengers. From the moment they meet, Yoshitoki helps the then-naive protagonist learn about the realities of the world. He teaches him that messengers are expected to accept bribes and helps Taro explore the countryside around Iida Castle after they are left behind during a military campaign.

Intelligent and brave, Yoshitoki helps Taro escape from a pair of bandits by striking one of the criminals’ horses with his sword. Yoshitoki becomes a warrior before Harutomo, and he speaks to his younger friend about what war is like. Over time, his wisdom helps Harutomo to shed his fantasies and delusions about battle. Yoshitoki’s independence also influences Harutomo. For example, he argues that people should be able to follow their preferred religion instead of simply practicing Zen because it is the norm for samurai.