Noguchi the Samurai by Burt Konzak and Johnny Wales

Noguchi the Samurai by Burt Konzak and Johnny Wales
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Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Margaret Young
Summary: An unforgettable story of brains over brawn, also kindness and compassion, and Karate - Do as a way of life.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 26	Date: December 1994
Publisher: Stoddart Publishing
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-1895555547
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I chose this simply because I was looking for something to do with Samurai, as my son was studying Japan. What I ended up with, by pure chance is a book that honestly has the capacity to be life changing. This is one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure to read - for children or adults.

Noguchi the Samurai is the story of two Samurai. Michihara is old and wise, while Noguchi is young and brash but very powerful and strong. Noguchi and Michihara both find themselves on a boat, with several very frightened passengers as Noguchi vents his anger on all around him and revels in the fear he causes. While the rest of the passengers huddled in fear, Michihara slept, unperturbed by the events around him. This drove Noguchi to even greater extremes, taking a swipe with his great sword near the sleeping Samurai, who still showed no fear. No matter how much Nogushi tried, he could not provoke Michihara or disturb his calm and peaceful nature. But with the safety of others at stake as well, the quiet old man at last agrees to a duel. It seems like victory will be certain for the young and powerful Noguchi against the small and age wizened elder, but things are not always as they seem. I don't wish to give away exactly how this ends, but I am sure you can guess who will come out victorious. Michihara triumphs, not through might, but through wisdom. But even in victory his calm and quiet nature remain unchanged and his compassion becomes all the more evident - turning an enemy into a friend.

The illustrations in this book are lovely. The detail shown on the first pages of the ferry docks and the surrounding town is very impressive, the overall shades of blue and sea greens lends a quiet calming effect to the story. Noguchi is perhaps a bit too distorted in most of the story, but I think this is intentional, it shows how out of balance he is. The anger in his face is evident, as is his gloating when Michihara finally agrees to fight him. The real sign of the illustrator's gift is the sense of kindness and inner peace he manages to portray, first on the face of Michihara, and later on Noguchi. The illustrations combine perfectly with the pictures woven by the author's words to create a sense of peering in on another place and time.

My sons were ages 2 and 6 when I bought this book. Three years later it is still a firm favourite. My sons love the stomping and shouting, and seeing the bully learn his lesson. There is one scene in which Noguchi ends up nude (I can't tell you why without ruining the end). The artist has cleverly drawn this so that all parts that are usually unseen remain so, but this still always brings a few giggles They remain most impressed by both the intelligence and the restraint of Michihara though rather than the more humorous scenes.

As the children have grown we have often discussed the moral of the story. This book has become very much a part of our family and our own code of values. The children have grown over the years, and I do believe this book has helped to shape the way in which they have grown.

The book also provided a nice means to discuss other cultures, eras, and ways of life. We discussed the differences in the lovely-sailed ferry boat and the large ferry we have taken to Scotland. My son noticed the beautiful kites and brought up Boy's Day, a holiday in Japan that involves flying kites and carp-shaped streamers. We ended up buying carp shaped wind socks and kites to celebrate this holiday ourselves.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the fact that the hero of the story is not just the biggest and most powerful. I liked that it showed wisdom can be a better a weapon then the sword, and most of all I liked the graciousness that would turn an enemy into a friend. I think this is one of those absolutely magical stories that clearly imparts a moral through wit and humour. I think this book has an important message for all children, as all children will someday either face a bully, or bully others, if not both. I think this story could offer courage to children who are bullied, while hopefully offering wisdom to the bullies should they hear it. I think there is a lesson in life for everyone who reads this book, as well as a delightful story.

If this book appeals then you might also enjoy:

How Brave Is That? by Anne Fine and Vicki Gausden

Hagurosan by Darren Shan"

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