Samurai William

Anyone who has even a passing interest in Japan is familiar with the book Shogun but James Clavell, a historical fiction novel. But probably far fewer know of Samurai William, a non-fiction account, by Giles Milton.

The central character in both books is the same: William Adams, an English navigator who, in 1600, became the first Englishman to set foot on the shores of Japan. Milton's account is well-researched, and he spends time establishing the context and history of trade with Japan by the Portuguese and Spanish prior to Adams' arrival aboard a Dutch merchant ship.

The book picks up pace after Adams' arrival, when he meets with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate who is widely credited with bringing unity to Japan. (You can read all about Tokugawa Ieyasu here at Encyclopedia Britannica.)

Samurai William is an easy, fast-paced read (though non-fiction, it's not at all dry), and for those who have spent a fair amount of time living in Japan, it is interesting to see how many things have stayed the same: cleanliness, love of baths, appreciation of the brevity of life.