Tales of the Otori
Encyclopedia
Tales of the Otori is a series
of historical fantasy
novel
s by Lian Hearn
, set in a fictional world based on feudal Japan. The series initially consisted of a trilogy: Across the Nightingale Floor
(2002), Grass for His Pillow
(2003), and Brilliance of the Moon
(2004). It was followed in 2006 by a sequel, The Harsh Cry of the Heron
, and in 2007 by a prequel, Heaven's Net is Wide
.
The books follow a young warrior named Takeo in his struggles to avenge an adoptive father, escape the legacy of his biological father, and pursue the love of his life in the midst of an enormous power struggle involving dozens of clan lords and thousands of warriors.
"Five battles to fight. Four to win, one to lose."
Shigeru's uncles, hoping to rid themselves of their popular and powerful nephew, send him to Iida's capital city of Inuyama. Takeo's biological father was of The Tribe, a group of families with special powers, and they abduct Takeo, making a claim upon him because of his ancestry. Shigeru is betrayed and killed, Iida ultimately perishes, and the country is overrun by the army of Arai Daiichi.
Takeo is torn between conflicting obligations: to avenge Shigeru's death and claim leadership of the Otori clan; to submit to the Tribe's claim on him; and to follow his heart and marry Shirakawa Kaede. These conflicts drive his actions throughout the trilogy, placing him at odds with the Tribe, the Otori Lords, and the armies of Arai Daiichi.
Taking sides with Takeo, Kaede offends her overlord, Arai. Eventually Takeo makes an alliance with both Arai and the Tribe (save the Kikuta), and he slays Shigeru's uncles and claims lordship of the Otori. Arai betrays him, but he is shot dead by a firearm as a huge earthquake rocks the Three Countries. Takeo and Kaede, both scarred and wounded, are finally together. But he has fathered a son by Yuki of the Tribe, and a prophecy states that he will only die at his hands.
For a more detailed synopsis, see the individual entries for each novel:
The Harsh Cry of the Heron
Sixteen years later, Takeo is ruler of the Three Countries, and has three daughters: Shigeko, and twins Maya and Miki (the latter two have inherited tribal skills from their Kikuta bloodline).
Arai Zenko (Daiichi's son) and his wife Hana (Kaede's youngest sister) plot for Takeo's overthrow with the help of the leader of the Kikuta, Akio, and Takeo's secret teenage son by Muto Yuki, Hisao. Hisao was raised by Akio, and is a ghostmaster, able to communicate with the dead, including his dead mother.
After Muto Kenji dies, the loyalty of the Tribe clans to Takeo starts to wane. Despite installing Shigeko as Lady Maruyama and winning over the Emperor, his army is forced to battle the Emperor's general, Lord Saga, while Zenko raises an army in alliance with the western barbarians. Kaede bears a son, but after he dies, and Hana reveals to her that Hisao is Takeo's son, she is driven temporarily insane. Now against Takeo, she destroys the castle at Hagi, and seeks sanctuary with Arai and Hana.
Takeo seeks sanctuary at Terayama, where he is attacked by Akio and Hisao. At the crucial moment Hisao freezes; Akio takes the gun, which explodes in his hands, killing himself and fatally wounding Maya. Takeo, acknowledging that it is his time, holds a knife in Hisao's hand and falls upon it, ensuring the prophecy of his death is fulfilled. Shigeko enters into a treaty with Saga, whose army defeats Arai Zenko, and she will marry him as part of the bargain to ensure peace. They will be co-rulers in the Three Countries. In remorse, Kaede considers taking her own life, but at the last moment decides to live on for the sake of her daughter Miki.
Heaven's Net is Wide
This prequel begins about 17 years before the start of the trilogy, and ends at Takeo and Shigeru's meeting that begins Across the Nightingale Floor
. It follows Shigeru's childhood, his training with Matsuda Shingen, and his coming of age. Frustrated by his father's indecision and his uncle's obscure motives, he takes a band of warriors to the border with the Tohan, and discovers a village of the Hidden, tortured and killed by the Tohan. He encounters the belief system of the Hidden, and meets Iida Sadamu for the first time, sparing his life.
Later, the novel covers his brief turbulent marriage, his relationship with the courtesan Akane, and the battle of Yaegahara. The Noguchi betray them, ensuring the Otori defeat, and victory for Iida Sadamu. Otori Shigemori perishes, but Jato, the ancestral sword finds its way to his son Shigeru, via a member of the Tribe, Muto Kenji. Shigeru is forced to abdicate, and he patiently waits for an opportunity to avenge his father. Under the guise of a simple farmer, he secretly compiles records on the Tribe, assisted by Muto Shizuka, and conducts a covert relationship with Maruyama Naomi.
The following Chronology can be used for internal comparisons, but does not relate to any external dating system. For this purpose, the opening chapter is set as year 0, which has the side effect of making these numbers equal to Takeo's age at the time.
In the genealogies, the following notation is used:
Yanagi Moe is related to both the Otori Lords and to Shigeru's mother.
(s)-son
(d.)-dead
MARUYAMA
|
+-------+
IIDA | | ARAI
| (d) (d) |
+--------+ | | +------------------+
| | | | | |
IIDA (s) UEKI = MARUYAMA (d.) = Lord ARAI ≈ MUTO (3s)
Sadayoshi | Tadashi | Naomi | SHIRAKAWA Daiichi | Shizuka
| | | | | | (Tribe)
| | +----+---+ +------+ +----+---------------+----+ +------+--------+
| | : | | | | | | | | |
Sadamu IIDA = (d) (2s) Mariko (s) OTORI = Kaede = Lord Ai Hana = Zenko Tomiko = Taku
| Nariaki Takeo ↓ FUJIWARA ↓ (Tohan) |
| unknown sex(d.) | +----+
| | | |
Katsu Lord KONO (s) (d)
Little is known about the nature of the Tribe, and the organization is rarely employed with complete trust. Most of the information that exists on the Tribe was secretly compiled by Otori Shigeru with the help of Muto Shizuka.
Unfortunately for the Tribe, the abilities they possess are being lost with new generations, possibly due to inbreeding depression. This theory is likely since some Tribe members with a non-Tribe parent have shown to have great abilities.
In some very rare cases, some Kikuta members are ghost masters, and have the ability to communicate with the spirits of the deceased, as well as commanding them.
The Kikuta Master was Kikuta Kotaro, followed by his nephew Kikuta Akio. They are very traditional in their thinking and do not want to let peace succeed throughout the three countries. Takeo's father Kikuta Isamu was the greatest assassin in the Kikuta before he met Takeo's mother and defected to The Hidden. He was killed later by Kikuta Kotaro when he had refused to fight him because of the Hidden's religion and the vow he made to never kill again after he married Takeo's mother.
it is mentioned that the Kuroda can perceive invisibility, but cannot become invisible themselves. The only other Kuroda character encountered in the series is Kondo Kiichi (taking the name Kondo from adoption into his mother's side of the family.)
is being planned, and Lian Hearn has confirmed that a script is in progress, being written by David Henry Hwang
.
Book series
A book series is a sequence of books having certain characteristics in common that are formally identified together as a group. Book series can be organized in different ways, such as written by the same author, or marketed as a group by their publisher....
of historical fantasy
Historical fantasy
Historical fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy and related to historical fiction, which makes use of specific elements of real world history. It is used as an umbrella term for the sword and sorcery genre and sometimes, if fantasy is involved, the sword-and-sandal genre too...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s by Lian Hearn
Gillian Rubinstein
Gillian Rubinstein is an English-born children's author and playwright. Born in Potten End, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, Rubinstein split her childhood between England and Nigeria, moving to Australia in 1973. As well as eight plays, numerous short stories and articles, she has written...
, set in a fictional world based on feudal Japan. The series initially consisted of a trilogy: Across the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor is the first of Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published in 2002. The main events cover a period of just over a year, from Tomasu's rescue by Shigeru, his adoption as Otori Takeo, their travel to Inuyama, their betrayal, and Takeo's submission...
(2002), Grass for His Pillow
Grass for His Pillow
Grass for His Pillow is the second novel in Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2003. The events in the novel cover a period of approximately 6 months , following directly after those in Across the Nightingale Floor.-Plot summary:Kaede slowly recovers from the Kikuta...
(2003), and Brilliance of the Moon
Brilliance of the Moon
Brilliance of the Moon is the third novel in Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2004. It describes the events during the months following Takeo and Kaede's marriage at the end of the second book, Grass for His Pillow, leading to Takeo's confrontation with the warlord...
(2004). It was followed in 2006 by a sequel, The Harsh Cry of the Heron
The Harsh Cry of the Heron
The Harsh Cry of the Heron is the sequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published on March 7, 2006. The novel is set sixteen years after the events of the Trilogy, and covers a period of about two years...
, and in 2007 by a prequel, Heaven's Net is Wide
Heaven's Net Is Wide
Heaven’s Net is Wide is a prequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori series. It recounts the life of Lord Shigeru from the age of 12...
.
The books follow a young warrior named Takeo in his struggles to avenge an adoptive father, escape the legacy of his biological father, and pursue the love of his life in the midst of an enormous power struggle involving dozens of clan lords and thousands of warriors.
Synopsis
The Trilogy
The story is told primarily in first-person narrative by Otori Takeo. He was born as Tomasu in Mino, a small village of religious outcasts referred to as the "Hidden". The Hidden are persecuted throughout the Three Countries for their beliefs, and in the opening chapter Mino is destroyed by the warriors of Iida Sadamu, Lord of the Tohan Clan. Takeo is rescued by Otori Shigeru, a young Lord of the Otori Clan, and led back to the Otori stronghold of Hagi. There, Shigeru adopts Takeo and begins to instruct him in the ways of a warrior.Shigeru's uncles, hoping to rid themselves of their popular and powerful nephew, send him to Iida's capital city of Inuyama. Takeo's biological father was of The Tribe, a group of families with special powers, and they abduct Takeo, making a claim upon him because of his ancestry. Shigeru is betrayed and killed, Iida ultimately perishes, and the country is overrun by the army of Arai Daiichi.
Takeo is torn between conflicting obligations: to avenge Shigeru's death and claim leadership of the Otori clan; to submit to the Tribe's claim on him; and to follow his heart and marry Shirakawa Kaede. These conflicts drive his actions throughout the trilogy, placing him at odds with the Tribe, the Otori Lords, and the armies of Arai Daiichi.
Taking sides with Takeo, Kaede offends her overlord, Arai. Eventually Takeo makes an alliance with both Arai and the Tribe (save the Kikuta), and he slays Shigeru's uncles and claims lordship of the Otori. Arai betrays him, but he is shot dead by a firearm as a huge earthquake rocks the Three Countries. Takeo and Kaede, both scarred and wounded, are finally together. But he has fathered a son by Yuki of the Tribe, and a prophecy states that he will only die at his hands.
For a more detailed synopsis, see the individual entries for each novel:
- Across the Nightingale FloorAcross the Nightingale FloorAcross the Nightingale Floor is the first of Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published in 2002. The main events cover a period of just over a year, from Tomasu's rescue by Shigeru, his adoption as Otori Takeo, their travel to Inuyama, their betrayal, and Takeo's submission...
- Grass for His PillowGrass for His PillowGrass for His Pillow is the second novel in Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2003. The events in the novel cover a period of approximately 6 months , following directly after those in Across the Nightingale Floor.-Plot summary:Kaede slowly recovers from the Kikuta...
- Brilliance of the MoonBrilliance of the MoonBrilliance of the Moon is the third novel in Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2004. It describes the events during the months following Takeo and Kaede's marriage at the end of the second book, Grass for His Pillow, leading to Takeo's confrontation with the warlord...
The Harsh Cry of the HeronThe Harsh Cry of the HeronThe Harsh Cry of the Heron is the sequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published on March 7, 2006. The novel is set sixteen years after the events of the Trilogy, and covers a period of about two years...
Sixteen years later, Takeo is ruler of the Three Countries, and has three daughters: Shigeko, and twins Maya and Miki (the latter two have inherited tribal skills from their Kikuta bloodline).Arai Zenko (Daiichi's son) and his wife Hana (Kaede's youngest sister) plot for Takeo's overthrow with the help of the leader of the Kikuta, Akio, and Takeo's secret teenage son by Muto Yuki, Hisao. Hisao was raised by Akio, and is a ghostmaster, able to communicate with the dead, including his dead mother.
After Muto Kenji dies, the loyalty of the Tribe clans to Takeo starts to wane. Despite installing Shigeko as Lady Maruyama and winning over the Emperor, his army is forced to battle the Emperor's general, Lord Saga, while Zenko raises an army in alliance with the western barbarians. Kaede bears a son, but after he dies, and Hana reveals to her that Hisao is Takeo's son, she is driven temporarily insane. Now against Takeo, she destroys the castle at Hagi, and seeks sanctuary with Arai and Hana.
Takeo seeks sanctuary at Terayama, where he is attacked by Akio and Hisao. At the crucial moment Hisao freezes; Akio takes the gun, which explodes in his hands, killing himself and fatally wounding Maya. Takeo, acknowledging that it is his time, holds a knife in Hisao's hand and falls upon it, ensuring the prophecy of his death is fulfilled. Shigeko enters into a treaty with Saga, whose army defeats Arai Zenko, and she will marry him as part of the bargain to ensure peace. They will be co-rulers in the Three Countries. In remorse, Kaede considers taking her own life, but at the last moment decides to live on for the sake of her daughter Miki.
Heaven's Net is WideHeaven's Net Is WideHeaven’s Net is Wide is a prequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori series. It recounts the life of Lord Shigeru from the age of 12...
This prequel begins about 17 years before the start of the trilogy, and ends at Takeo and Shigeru's meeting that begins Across the Nightingale FloorAcross the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor is the first of Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published in 2002. The main events cover a period of just over a year, from Tomasu's rescue by Shigeru, his adoption as Otori Takeo, their travel to Inuyama, their betrayal, and Takeo's submission...
. It follows Shigeru's childhood, his training with Matsuda Shingen, and his coming of age. Frustrated by his father's indecision and his uncle's obscure motives, he takes a band of warriors to the border with the Tohan, and discovers a village of the Hidden, tortured and killed by the Tohan. He encounters the belief system of the Hidden, and meets Iida Sadamu for the first time, sparing his life.
Later, the novel covers his brief turbulent marriage, his relationship with the courtesan Akane, and the battle of Yaegahara. The Noguchi betray them, ensuring the Otori defeat, and victory for Iida Sadamu. Otori Shigemori perishes, but Jato, the ancestral sword finds its way to his son Shigeru, via a member of the Tribe, Muto Kenji. Shigeru is forced to abdicate, and he patiently waits for an opportunity to avenge his father. Under the guise of a simple farmer, he secretly compiles records on the Tribe, assisted by Muto Shizuka, and conducts a covert relationship with Maruyama Naomi.
The Otori
- Otori Takeo — born to the Hidden as Tomasu, but given the name Takeo after his rescue from an attack on his village. Son of Kikuta Isamu and heir to Isamu's many supernatural talents. Nephew and adopted son of Otori Shigeru and legal heir to lordship of the Otori clan. Husband to Shirakawa Kaede and leader of a small army during his campaign to claim lordship of the Otori.
- Otori Shigeru — adoptive father and uncle of Otori Takeo. Heir to leadership of the Otori before his death at the hands of Iida Sadamu at Inuyama. Keeps records of the Tribe before his death, which Takeo uses during his later conflicts with the Tribe.
- Otori Ichiro — previously a teacher and somewhat advisor to Shigeru, later a teacher to Takeo.
- Miyoshi Kahei — son of Miyoshi Satoru (an elder of the Hagi clan) and was a friend of Takeshi (Shigeru's late brother)
- Miyoshi Gemba — his younger brother, both later friends of Takeo
- Otori Shoichi — Shigeru's uncle who, along with his brother, was an advisor to Lord Shigemori (Shigeru's father) during his reign, then after the Battle of Yaegahara becomes lord of the Otori clan
- Otori Masahiro — his younger brother, who seemingly has the same power as Shoichi. Had a particular hatred for Shigeru as he fancied his concubine Lady Akane. Has a son; Otori Yoshitomi
- Terada Fumifusa/Fumimasa — head of the Hagi fishing fleet, later becoming a pirate residing on the island of Oshima to avoid the increased tax established by the Otori lords
- Terada Fumio — his son, and a friend of Takeo
The Tohan
- Iida Sadamu — leader of the Tohan clan. Enemy of Otori Shigeru, due to longstanding jealousy and hatred, also responsible for Shigeru's death. Killed by Shirakawa Kaede shortly after Shigeru's body is liberated by Takeo from Inuyama castle.
The Seishuu
- Arai Daiichi — As an old friend of Kaede's from her time in the Noguchi household, he is a Seishuu warlord who rises to power in the void left after Iida Sadamu's death. Seeks to conquer the Three Countries and to destroy the Tribe.
- Shirakawa Kaede — cousin of Maruyama Naomi and heir to Maruyama after the death of Naomi and her daughter. Lover and wife of Otori Takeo. She has two younger sisters, Ai and Hana.
- Maruyama Naomi — secret lover of Otori Shigeru and head of the western domain of Maruyama, which is traditionally inherited by females. She has a daughter, Mariko, and is accompanied by her maid and retainer, Sugita Sachie.
- Sugita Haruki — Sachie's brother, senior retainer to the Maruyama
- Sugita Hiroshi — his nephew, taken into Shigeru's army and care at the age of 10 when his family were killed by the army of Iida Nariaki (Sadamu's cousin.) In the sequel to the series; The Harsh Cry of the HeronThe Harsh Cry of the HeronThe Harsh Cry of the Heron is the sequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published on March 7, 2006. The novel is set sixteen years after the events of the Trilogy, and covers a period of about two years...
, he is a loyal retainer to Takeo and Kaede, holding the Maruyama domain for the next female heir to inherit, and a friend of Muto Taku (Shizuka and Arai's son)
The Tribe
- Muto Kenji — master of the Muto Tribe family. Takeo's teacher in Hagi. Father of Muto Yuki and uncle of Muto Shizuka.
- Muto Yuki — Kenji's daughter and mother of Takeo's first son. She delivers Jato, Shigeru's sword, to Takeo and takes Shigeru's head to Terayama, where Shigeru will be honoured after death. She is executed by the Tribe after giving birth to Takeo's son, whom the Kikuta believe will not be raised to hate Takeo if he is raised in the presence of Yuki.
- Muto Shizuka — aide to Shirakawa Kaede. Kenji's niece. Former lover of Arai Daiichi and mother of his two sons, Zenko and Taku.
- Kikuta Isamu — a talented Tribe assassin who left the Tribe to live with his wife among the Hidden. Murdered by Kikuta Kotaro before his son Tomasu (Takeo) was born.
- Kikuta Kotaro — master of the Kikuta Tribe family and Isamu's cousin. Teacher of Kenji and other members of the Tribe.
- Kikuta Akio — Kotaro's nephew and Takeo's second cousin. He despises Takeo and antagonizes him whenever he can, especially when Takeo and Yuki become lovers.
- Kondo Kiichi — A member of the tribe who works with Shizuka to protect Kaede.
- Kuroda Shintaro — a notoriously talented member of the Tribe, despite being born into the lesser Kuroda family. He is sent to assassinate Shigeru, but his death at Takeo's hands reveals Takeo's true nature as someone who possesses the blood of the Tribe.
Others
- Matsuda Shingen — a former warrior who became a priest at Terayama where he trained Shigeru during his youth, later becoming the abbot of Terayama
- Kubo Makoto — despite being a male monk at Terayama temple he claimed to have fallen in love with Takeo once. He is Takeo's closest friend and advisor.
- Jo-An — an outcaste and member of the Hidden who aids Takeo in his campaigns, to the disgust of the samurai (warrior) class.
- Lord Fujiwara — a Seishuu noble who takes an interest in Shirakawa Kaede and arranges with Arai Daiichi for a marriage to Kaede, even after Kaede has already married Takeo.
- Mamoru — Lord Fujiwara's lover, protege, and companion. He's also an actor and plays women's roles in the plays Fujiwara puts on.
Chronology
The series of novels do not describe a yearly dating system. In a note by the author, she states that there is no conversion between Christian Era dates, and the years in the Novels: indeed, she hints that the years have names rather than numbers.The following Chronology can be used for internal comparisons, but does not relate to any external dating system. For this purpose, the opening chapter is set as year 0, which has the side effect of making these numbers equal to Takeo's age at the time.
- Heaven's Net is Wide
Heaven's Net Is WideHeaven’s Net is Wide is a prequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori series. It recounts the life of Lord Shigeru from the age of 12...
: 0-17
(ch 1: 0; ch 2-5: 1; ch 6-12: 4; ch 13-19: 5; ch 19-26: 6; ch 27- including the battle of Yaegahara: 7 ...)
- Across the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale FloorAcross the Nightingale Floor is the first of Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published in 2002. The main events cover a period of just over a year, from Tomasu's rescue by Shigeru, his adoption as Otori Takeo, their travel to Inuyama, their betrayal, and Takeo's submission...
: 17-18
(ch 1-3: 17; ch 4+: 18)
- Grass for His Pillow
Grass for His PillowGrass for His Pillow is the second novel in Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2003. The events in the novel cover a period of approximately 6 months , following directly after those in Across the Nightingale Floor.-Plot summary:Kaede slowly recovers from the Kikuta...
: 18-19
(ch 1-8: 18; ch 9+: 19)
- Brilliance of the Moon
Brilliance of the MoonBrilliance of the Moon is the third novel in Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2004. It describes the events during the months following Takeo and Kaede's marriage at the end of the second book, Grass for His Pillow, leading to Takeo's confrontation with the warlord...
: 19, 33 (afterword)
- The Harsh Cry of the Heron
The Harsh Cry of the HeronThe Harsh Cry of the Heron is the sequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published on March 7, 2006. The novel is set sixteen years after the events of the Trilogy, and covers a period of about two years...
: 34-36
(ch 1: 34; ch 4-30: 35; ch 31+: 36)
In the genealogies, the following notation is used:
: Adopted or illeg.
... Unknown cousin relationship
(s) A son
(d) A daughter
(3d) 3 daughters
The Tribe
yinka michael
| |
| +----------------------+---------------------+
Grandfather | | |
MUTO (s) (s) (d)
| | | |
+-----+------------+ | | |
| +-------------|-------|----------------------+-----+-----+ |
| | | | | | | |
(s)= (d) Seiko = Kenji Isamu = Sara = Shimon Kotaro (s) Gosaburo Shintaro
| | (1) | | (2) | |
| | +----+ | | |
| | | +-----+--+ | +------+----+
| | | | | | | | |
Shizuka Akio = Yuki ≈ Tomasu Maruta Madaren Akio Kunio Yuzu Ume
| * | (Takeo) :*
| | :
+------+ +---------------------------------+ :
| | | :
Zenko Taku Hisao
Otori Clan
OTORI Takeyoshi
m. Imperial Concubine
|
(many generations)..................................... (Seishuu)
| | |
wife 1 = OTORI = wife 2 Ichiro | SUGITA
| | | |
| +-------+-------------+ | +-----+------+------+
| | | | | | | |
Shigemori = Masako Shoichi Masahiro Eijiro = Eriko Sachie Haruki Hikaru
: | | : | |
: | | : | |
: +--+--------------+ Yoshitomi Ryoma +------+----+ |
: | | | | | |
Isamu Shigeru = YANAGI Takeshi Lord = Cousin to Danjo (2s+) (3d) Hiroshi
| : Moe SHIRAKAWA | Lady MARUYAMA
| : |
| : +------------+------------------+
| : | | |
Takeo = Kaede Ai = SONODA Hana = ARAI Zenko
| | Mitsuru |
+------+-----+-----+ | +--------+------+
| | | | | | | |
Shigeko Maya Miki (s) (2d+) Sunaomi Chikara Hiromasa
Yanagi Moe is related to both the Otori Lords and to Shigeru's mother.
Other Clans
(d)-daughter(s)-son
(d.)-dead
MARUYAMA
|
+-------+
IIDA | | ARAI
| (d) (d) |
+--------+ | | +------------------+
| | | | | |
IIDA (s) UEKI = MARUYAMA (d.) = Lord ARAI ≈ MUTO (3s)
Sadayoshi | Tadashi | Naomi | SHIRAKAWA Daiichi | Shizuka
| | | | | | (Tribe)
| | +----+---+ +------+ +----+---------------+----+ +------+--------+
| | : | | | | | | | | |
Sadamu IIDA = (d) (2s) Mariko (s) OTORI = Kaede = Lord Ai Hana = Zenko Tomiko = Taku
| Nariaki Takeo ↓ FUJIWARA ↓ (Tohan) |
| unknown sex(d.) | +----+
| | | |
Katsu Lord KONO (s) (d)
The Tribe
The Tribe are a secret organisation that nurture the powers that the world used to have. The Tribe consists of five families that existed before the lords and the clans, a time when magic was common. Since that time the Tribe have retained these abilities through dedication and training. They are frequently employed as spies and assassins by various institutions within the Three Countries. While they usually take on the guise of merchants or travelling actors and acrobats, some members of the Tribe live rather unassuming lives as traders and money lenders rather than as spies and assassins.Little is known about the nature of the Tribe, and the organization is rarely employed with complete trust. Most of the information that exists on the Tribe was secretly compiled by Otori Shigeru with the help of Muto Shizuka.
Unfortunately for the Tribe, the abilities they possess are being lost with new generations, possibly due to inbreeding depression. This theory is likely since some Tribe members with a non-Tribe parent have shown to have great abilities.
Kikuta
The most ferocious family that is known for its power, harshness, and skilled assassins. They are the pre-eminent tribal family in Tohan territory. Many true Kikuta have a straight palm line across their hand and have great powers, such as invisibility, splitting off a phantom body, acute hearing, and the ability to put someone in a deep sleep merely by staring at them (the 'Kikuta sleep'). It was said that many of the Kikuta gifts were dying out, which was why the Tribe desired Takeo's talents so much. Minor skills, possess by the weaker Kikuta, include agility and the ability to perceive invisibility and the second self.In some very rare cases, some Kikuta members are ghost masters, and have the ability to communicate with the spirits of the deceased, as well as commanding them.
The Kikuta Master was Kikuta Kotaro, followed by his nephew Kikuta Akio. They are very traditional in their thinking and do not want to let peace succeed throughout the three countries. Takeo's father Kikuta Isamu was the greatest assassin in the Kikuta before he met Takeo's mother and defected to The Hidden. He was killed later by Kikuta Kotaro when he had refused to fight him because of the Hidden's religion and the vow he made to never kill again after he married Takeo's mother.
Muto
One of the two large clans of the Tribe that still have substantial gifts, and the major family in the Middle Country. They are renowned for their changing faces; as such, they are skilled as spies. They also share some of the more famous skills of the Tribe with the Kikuta, such as invisibility. The Master of the Muto was Muto Kenji, and after his death, Muto Shizuka. The Muto have strong links with the Otori and believe that the Tribe should change in the future. At the beginning of the series there is a close alliance between the Muto and Kikuta which wanes throughout the series. Controversy surrounded Shizuka's appointment as head of the clan, firstly because she was a woman, and secondly because she was appointed by Otori Takeo and not by the family.Kuroda
A lesser clan of the Tribe that are mainly merchants, money lenders and informants. They possess some of the gifts of the greater clans, and a characteristic practicality which makes them superb assassins (e.g. Kuroda Shintaro). In The Harsh Cry of the HeronThe Harsh Cry of the Heron
The Harsh Cry of the Heron is the sequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published on March 7, 2006. The novel is set sixteen years after the events of the Trilogy, and covers a period of about two years...
it is mentioned that the Kuroda can perceive invisibility, but cannot become invisible themselves. The only other Kuroda character encountered in the series is Kondo Kiichi (taking the name Kondo from adoption into his mother's side of the family.)
Trivia
- The name "Hidden" for the secretly held religious system of belief probably comes from the title that Christians once held in feudal Japan, "Kakureta Kirishitan," literally "Hidden Christians." First Catholics and soon Protestants as well were persecuted by the Tokugawa familyTokugawa clanThe was a powerful daimyo family of Japan. They nominally descended from Emperor Seiwa and were a branch of the Minamoto clan by the Nitta clan. However, the early history of this clan remains a mystery.-History:...
after the battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Catholics were treated much more brutally, and were publicly executed. Thus, many devout believers concealed their faiths and became "Hidden." - The three religions in the novel are very similar to three actual religions: the "Hidden" are similar to Christians (although actual Christians do appear later on in the series), those who worship "the enlightened one" follow similar beliefs to Buddhists, and those who believe in the spirits of nature are ShintoShintoor Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
(Japan's native religion). - Takeo's real name, "Tomasu" is very similar to and could be considered the Japanese version of the Christian name "Thomas", as the name of Hidden outcast Jo-An could be perceived as a variation of "John". Tomasu's sister, Madaren, is the Japanese version of Madeline, and his other sister, Maruta, could be a version of "Martha". Japanese Christians in the feudal era took Japanized Christian names.
- All of the titles follow the Japanese poetic style (haikuHaiku' , plural haiku, is a very short form of Japanese poetry typically characterised by three qualities:* The essence of haiku is "cutting"...
and tanka poems) of 5 and 7 syllables.
Film
A movie adaption of Across the Nightingale FloorAcross the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor is the first of Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published in 2002. The main events cover a period of just over a year, from Tomasu's rescue by Shigeru, his adoption as Otori Takeo, their travel to Inuyama, their betrayal, and Takeo's submission...
is being planned, and Lian Hearn has confirmed that a script is in progress, being written by David Henry Hwang
David Henry Hwang
David Henry Hwang is an American playwright who has risen to prominence as the preeminent Asian American dramatist in the U.S.He was born in Los Angeles, California and was educated at the Yale School of Drama and Stanford University...
.