Reviews
"Bodart-Bailey's account ... is so brilliantly researched and so sincerely persuasive that Tsunayoshi is not only rehabilitated but resuscitated as well." -- Donald Richie, This is a dense, rich study, the result of many years of meticulous research, which will be of great interest to anyone interested in Tokugawa history and culture or political biography. Although the latter has not been much in vogue in Japanese studies of late, it is hoped that scholars will be inspired by this excellent study to tackle some of the other major figures in Tokugawa history., An unabashedly revisionist study. . . . Using thorough research and novel analysis, the author argues that Tsunayoshi's personality and upbringing (he was raised by his commoner mother) influenced his reign as shogun. . . . This thought-provoking study will be controversial, but cannot be ignored. Highly recommended.
