The most important novel for boys by Yoshikawa Eiji, a famous historical novelist. It was first serialized in Shônen Kurabu [Boys' Club] and won great popularity. The serialization lasted four years and then published in book form in three volumes.
The protagonist is Takeda Inamaru, the son of the late Takeda Katsuyori
who was destroyed by the Odas and the Tokugawas. Inamaru aims to defeat
the Tokugawas and to restore the Takeda family, with the help of seven
chivalrous fellows.
Yoshikawa's stories for boys describe the destiny of a protagonist who
belonged to a defeated army as a result of the changing times. His later
works also depicted such a boy, for example, a son of Sanada Yukimura who
belonged to the defeated army of the Toyotomis. Shinshû Temmakyô
is the prototype of Yoshikawa's novels for boys.
His flowing and elegant style was innovative in the field of popular
children's literature. Needless to say, such a style deeply attracted readers.
Illustrations by Yamaguchi Shôkichirô added to the popularity.
As he was good at drawing pictures of warriors, Inamaru and seven companions
were drawn vividly. |
