Characters
The story's hero, protagonist, the son of a samurai killed in battle
Who is Taro/Murakami?
Where this story takes place
Feudal Japan
Murakami learns that love is for both old and young by watching Lord Akiyama and Lady Toyama and through his love for this character
Who is Aki-hime?
A major conflict in this story is that Lord Takeda Shingen is fighting a battle against
Who is Lord Oda Nobunaga?
Wandering samurai whose swords were for sale
Who are ronins?
Kind, round headed cook who befriended young Taro.
Who is Togan?
Japanese culture was influenced heavily by this country
What is China?
Taro learns the value of hard work from this character
Who is Togan?
What is inner conflict or man vs. self?
These people ate with Lord Akiyama, served him, and provided guidance to take care of his needs
Who are retainers?
Warlord who wanted to conquer Japan but grew sick and died
Who is Lord Takeda Shingen?
The name of the castle that Murakami snuck out of as a ninja
Murakami explores the theme that only the ambitious get ahead in his life-long dream to become what
What is a samurai?
There are many clues in the text that give us hints about what will happen next, what is this called?
What is foreshadowing?
These people practiced Zen
Who are Buddhists?
Taro's master, general under Lord Takeda Shingen.
Who is Lord Akiyama?
This setting is where a spirit disguised as an old man told Yoshitoki and Taro about the future
What is the hut on the mountain pass?
This man taught Taro about integrity especially when given a great responsibility
Who is Wada Kansuke?
The author uses many types of this type of language to paint pictures with his words in this story
What is figurative language?
When a castle is surrounded by an attacking army and that army waits for the castle to run out of supplies
What is a siege?
Lord Takeda Shingen's enemy, he had a reputation for cruelty
Who is Oda Nobunaga?
Nagashino, Tsutsujigasaki, and Takato were all these things
What is castles?
This man showed that pride can be a fault by not listening to his father's advisors.
Who is Lord Katsuyori?
This story is resolved at the end when Murakami finds out that this person is still alive
Who is Aki-Hime?
A trained samurai who dresses all in black and can serve multiple lords