Kill the Shogun is the third and concluding volume of the original Samurai Mystery trilogy. In this finale, the wandering ronin Matsuyama Kaze finally arrives in the new capital of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to fulfill his three-year quest.

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Plot Synopsis

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The story is set in 1603, just as Tokugawa Ieyasu has solidified his power as the new Shogun. Kaze is closer than ever to finding the nine-year-old daughter of his slain Lord and Lady, whom he has sworn to rescue.

 

1. The Wrong Place, the Wrong Time

 

To move through the heavily guarded capital unnoticed, Kaze disguises himself as a street entertainer, performing feats of skill with a spinning top and a sword. However, during a public procession, an assassin uses a European musket to fire a shot at the Shogun. Though the attempt fails (killing a daimyo instead), Kaze is recognized by a palace guard from his past. He is immediately branded as the assassin, and a massive reward is placed on his head.

 

2. The Manhunt

 

Kaze becomes the target of a city-wide manhunt involving:

• The Shogun’s Troops: Led by advisors eager to capture the "traitor."

• The Criminal Underworld: Bounty hunters and the henchmen of a local crime lord.

• Ninja: Elite assassins sent to ensure he doesn't leave the city alive.

While evading capture—at one point taking refuge in a struggling Kabuki theater—Kaze discovers that the missing girl is being held at the "Little Flower," an infamous brothel in the Yoshiwara district that specializes in children.

 

3. The Two-Fold Mission

 

Kaze must balance two high-stakes objectives:

• Exposing the Truth: He investigates the assassination attempt to clear his name, realizing the plot involves high-ranking officials within the Shogunate who are playing a dangerous political game.

• The Rescue: He orchestrates a daring raid on the brothel to save the girl, Kiku, before she is lost to the world of prostitution forever.

 

4. The Resolution

 

In a dramatic confrontation, Kaze reveals the true conspirators to the Shogun. Ieyasu, recognizing Kaze's honor and skill, allows him a chance to settle a final score with a childhood rival who has become a corrupt official. Having cleared his name and rescued Kiku, Kaze finally fulfills his vow.

 

Ending and Legacy

 

The book concludes the initial trilogy with Kaze successfully rescuing the child, though it leaves his future open-ended (a thread picked up years later in the 2021 sequel, The Ronin Returns).

Key Features:

• Historical Detail: Furutani provides a vivid look at the birth of Edo, including early Kabuki, the rise of the merchant class, and the early introduction of firearms in Japan.

• Psychological Depth: The novel uses flashbacks to Kaze’s childhood to contrast his path of honor with the villain’s path of greed and corruption.

• Haiku: Continuing the series' tradition, each chapter is prefaced with an original haiku that reflects the plot.