The Emperor of Nihon-Ja
Australian cover of
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja |
|
| Author | John Flanagan |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jeremy Reston |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series |
Ranger's Apprentice (Book no. 10) |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure |
| Publisher | Random House (AUS & NZ) |
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Publication date
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1 November 2010 (AUS) 5 November 2010 (NZ) 16 April 2011 (US) |
| Media type | Paperback |
| Pages | 590 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 643653680 |
| A823.4 | |
| Preceded by | Halt's Peril |
| Followed by | The Lost Stories |
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja is the tenth instalment in the Ranger's Apprentice book series by Australian author John Flanagan. The book was released in Australia on 1 November 2010, in New Zealand on 5 November 2010, and in the United States on 16 April 2011. The name Nihon-Ja is based on the name of Japan; Nihon-Koku. Also, the Senshi are like the Samurai and there are katana in Nihon-Ja like the ones in medieval Japan.
Horace is missing. Months have passed since he was sent on a military mission to the court of the Emperor of Nihon-Ja with his friend and former wardmate George but he has failed to return. Meanwhile, Halt, Will, Selethen and Alyss are in Tuscana overseeing a demonstration using tight formations to overcome more skilled opponents. When Evanlyn arrives telling of Horace's absence, The Araluens and Selethen embark on a Skandian ship to find Horace.
They find that Horace has become embroiled in Nihon-Jan politics. The arrogant Senshi sect, the Nihon-Ja warrior class, has rebelled against the rightful Emperor Shigeru out of fear he will usurp their influence in the country. Shigeru, though a Senshi himself, is also a man of the people and has been trying to reform his nations strict social system. Horace has chosen to stay and lend support to the deposed ruler. Pursued by the rebel leader and master swordsman Arisaka, Horace and Shigeru flee along with Shigeru's cousin and guard Shukin. Their only hope is to find to the fabled fortress of Ran-Koshi, which is mentioned in a legend and said to have impossibly high walls. The three lead their small entourage of 50 Senshi around the native villages recruiting Kikori, lumberjacks native to the area.
After recruiting, the men flee helplessly from Arisaka and his much larger army of Senshi. However, the Emperor's party is moving slowly because they are burdened down by their injured, and are easily caught up to. In an effort to buy them more time, Shukin and nine other Senshi volunteer to stay back at a river and duel the enemy until they are killed. From a cliff, Shigeru watches as Arisaka kills his cousin and continues the pursuit. Shortly after, they come to a precipice crossed only by a rickety footbridge, and quickly cross. However, as the last men are crossing Arisaka's army arrives. Horace has a rope tied around his waist and goes back onto the bridge to defend it while the heavy ropes are being cut. When it falls, Horace is bashed against the cliff and drops his sword into the precipice. Shigeru later presents a gift to the knight, a perfect copy of his blade but forged with the strong Ni-hon Ja'n steel. With the enemy army stuck on the other side of the precipice, the party is free to carry on to Ran Koshi.
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