Samurai fear nothing, not even death. They are loyal and brave. Fourteen-year-old Seikei has studied the way of the samurai, and would like nothing more than to be one. But a samurai is born, not made; Seikei was born the son of a tea merchant, so a merchant he must be. But when a priceless ruby intended for the shogun-the military governor of Japan-is stolen by a ghost, Seikei finds himself having to display all the courage of a samurai. Seikei is the only person to have seen the thief, and now the famous magistrate, Judge Ooka, needs the boy\’s help to solve this mystery. Can the son of a merchant prove himself worthy to the shogun himself?
- ISBN: 9780399233302
- Author: Hoobler, Dorothy
- Published: 1999, Philomel
- Themes: 18th century, Mysteries and thrillers, Samurai
- Descriptors: Asia, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Japan, Mystery and Thriller
- No. of pages: 224