BOOK TOUR STOP x Instabook Tours - The Chronicles of Lord Asunaro

 

Another beautiful addition to the Red Circle Minis Collection...

The young lord Asunaro, son of a powerful feudal lord, has enjoyed a privileged life in his family castle so far. But now he's grown, he's finding the title he's inheriting appears to be in name only. He isn't trusted with important decisions or discussions, isn't allowed to speak on matters of war or famine and is growing restless. Much like the Asunaro tree, he is always waiting for tomorrow, for someday, but it never comes so instead he finds pleasure in women and poetry.

"Lord though he was in name, not one important task in the governance of the domain ever came his way, despite having reached maturity."

For such a short read, coming in just over 70 pages, still manages to be a multi-layered and complex, acting not only as a factual biography but a somewhat dry and witty comedic retelling of a tale not many have heard. In a feat very difficult to achieve in such few pages, the setting was vivid and vibrant, beautifully descriptive and immersive. 

This short story toes the line between fact and fiction, leaving the reader with plenty to think about while providing interesting historical insight. Lord Asunaro is a real historical figure - and a complex one at that. He didn't achieve much (aside from having over 70 children!) and was selfish and childish - not the type of life you'd usually chronicle. But he also broke the societal divides of his time, happy to dine and drink with people others would consider below him and advocated for peace and pacifism. I can definitely see why Hanawa chose him as a subject. Of course there is a definite objectified view towards women but only so far as would've been sadly normal at the time and this isn't shown as favourable or justified. 

Asunaro is, despite his position, an unremarkable man, simply trying to find space for himself in a world he has no place in - and he's peculiarly relatable for an Edo era Japanese lord. This is quite simply the chronicle of a life. 

About The Author 

Kanji Hanawa is a master of the short story. He has written several hundred since he published his first collection, Garasu no natsu (Glass Summer) to critical acclaim in 1972.  In 1962, after graduating from Tokyo University, where he studied French Literature, he spent a few months in Paris, his only stay in the county to whose literature he has dedicated much of his life.  

After retiring from academic life (having translated into Japanese 15 novels by some of France’s most eminent authors and studying the works of the French poet Arthur Rimbaud), he dedicated himself to his real passion, writing short stories about life in ancient, modern and contemporary Japan. Two of his novellas have been shortlisted for the prestigious Akutagawa Literary Prize. He passed away in 2020.

About The Publisher

Red Circle was created by Richard Nathan and Koji Chikatani with the aim of bringing the works of some of Japan’s finest authors to a wider international public, while at the same time building their international reputations. In doing so, Richard and Koji are convinced that readers, no matter where they live, will be captivated and thrilled by the sheer brilliance and inventiveness of Red Circle authors. 

The company’s select circle of authors are already established and well known in Japan. Indeed, many have won Japan’s main literary prizes, had their works adapted for film and television, and have had numerous titles included in the lists of bestsellers in Japan.

In November 2018 Red Circle launched its publishing programme with its series Red Circle Minis. Each of the books is a first edition written specifically for the series and is being published in English first.

Thank you to Red Circle Publishers and Instabook Tours for inviting me to take part in this tour. I was gifted a reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.