Kaze Hikaru, Vol. 4, 4

by Taeko Watanabe

Book Overview

Romance between "swordsmen," based on a true-life adventure of a young girl determined to be a part of history.

In the 1860s in Japan, a new era is dawning. During this time fraught with violent social upheaval, samurai of all walks of life flock to Kyoto in the hope of joining a band of warriors united around their undying loyalty to the shogunate system. This group becames one of the greatest (and most infamous) movements in Japanese...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1421510170
• ISBN13: 9781421510170
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Viz Media
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

the plot thickens..

I read the first 3 volumes via it's serialization in Shojo Beat. And though intrigued i found it hard to follow with the one month pauses in reading it. I was sure if i could sit down and read several chapters in a row with out interruption it would be simpler to understand. And i was right. But it uses a lot of historical japanese names and words that can make it difficult to follow. they do use side notes to explain things but they are so blunt and short i have to read them a couple of times before it sinks in. Anyways for anyone willing to invest the time this series is very rewarding. It deals with honor, loyalty ,death, and proving one's self. It is for an older audience. and surprisingly it is very humourous which helps to offset its often very depressing subject matter. The men are gorgeous. and Kamiya is a great Heroine. Though she is very emotional she is very willful and determined. the bonus section is also a lot better than most as it's not some boring account of the author's stupid day or something. It's kind of cool what she has to say about researching the different swords and you feel like you learned something from it. Also it's full of blood and betrayal. Things are hardly ever represented as they turn out to be. a new favorite of mine!

Bushi growing up

Things have become more serious for Sei when she learns that Soji helped to assassinate Captain Serizawa and that, with his death, new stricter laws have been enforced - commanding that every one guilty of violating the rules shall commit seppuku. Counter balancing this serious side is the ever smiling Soji who keeps a watchful eye over Sei - even annoying her with playful attacks from behind. However, this playfulness of Soji's saves Sei's life. Also, when Sei thinks that Soji is in love with a married woman, Sei gets drunk while talking with Saito. This volume also involves Sei trying to find the owner of a small book of haiku. I gave it five stars even though I might more correctly issue it 4 1/2 - but the series is intriguing enough for five stars.