WRITER'S DIGEST, 31st Annual Self-Published Book First Place Award in Mainstream/Literary Fiction Little Bird and the Tiger is embedded within Japan's transition to modernity, its outburst into Asia, much like America's contemporaneous 'manifest destiny.' The story shifts between two perspectives, those of Tachibana Hideo and Umezawa Tozaburo. Tachibana, an orphaned young woman who discovers martial arts as a child, wandering from dojo to dojo, both to perfect her art and to secure some food and shelter for the night. ...
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WRITER'S DIGEST, 31st Annual Self-Published Book First Place Award in Mainstream/Literary Fiction Little Bird and the Tiger is embedded within Japan's transition to modernity, its outburst into Asia, much like America's contemporaneous 'manifest destiny.' The story shifts between two perspectives, those of Tachibana Hideo and Umezawa Tozaburo. Tachibana, an orphaned young woman who discovers martial arts as a child, wandering from dojo to dojo, both to perfect her art and to secure some food and shelter for the night. Becoming a consummate warrior in a society that denies women an independent life, she is nicknamed "Little Bird." Under their breath, however, men refer to her as a 'Shrike, ' a ferocious carnivorous bird. Umezawa is one of those tragic young men who march off to serve a cause they do not understand at the behest of men who use that bravery to their own ends. He becomes one of the many Japanese adventurers, known as tairiku ronin , who wandered Northeast Asia, joining local bandit gangs, involving themselves in revolutionary organizations, and most importantly, serving as spies to gather information on the countries that Japan intended to eventually conquer. His wanderings take him into the Primoye, the Maritime Provinces of Russia, joining the Nani (tribal people), then Khunkuz (Chinese bandits), then political terrorists in Korea and finally a return to Japan, careening from one locale to another like a wounded tiger, a path of violence and heartbreak. The only way Tachibana can maintain her integrity is to be inviolate, a woman alone. Umezawa becomes an extravagant man, who rationalizes everything he does with the warrior creed that honor is in service, in his case, to the will of the Emperor. For these people (and many others in the book), violence is a language, a "physical dialogue," with devastating consequences, win or lose. Within all these themes is interwoven that of love, both redemptive and tragic. Set during a time of sweeping cultural change, where Japan moved with lighting speed from an isolated land of feudal lords and samurai to a mechanized, world-power, we are given a window into both the world of Japanese martial arts, and the often-misunderstood role of women in both that world and Japanese society at large, all Both a master-teacher of the very tradition he records and drawing from the real-life experiences of the women who preserved that lineage, Amdur brings a degree of authenticity to these powerful women, and the changing face of martial arts in their world that is only surpassed by his psychological insights into the drives, passions and disappointments that shape our souls. -Gregory Mele, author of Flowers of Battle - The Complete Martial Works of Fiore dei Liberi Inspired by historical characters, Ellis Amdur creates a world as brutal and complex as Meiji Japan actually was. Little Bird & Tiger's two unforgettable protagonists fight their way through the era's traumas and turbulence with weapons, will, and hard-won wisdom. In passages as raging and beautiful as a caged tiger, Amdur plots their journeys toward the most unexpected and tender battle of all. Cynthia Gralla, author of The Floating World and The Demimonde in Japanese Literature
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Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 390 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 390 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 390 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
ââ?¬Å"Little Bird & the Tigerââ?¬Â? is a wonderful tale by author Ellis Amdur. A story that is filled with amazing descriptive writing that gives each reader a true insight into the culture of Japan and the truth and history of martial arts and how it is incorporated into the culture. I have to say that this book is an amazing one and I believe it will be enjoyable for so many readers out there.
ââ?¬Å"Little Bird & the Tigerââ?¬Â? is told from the perspective of two very different main characters. On the one side, we have Tachibana, a young woman who is alone in the world and struggling to become strong to protect herself as she tries to get by on her own. On the other side is Umezawa, a young man who sees so much happening in his world that pains him, so he seeks out ways to become strong in order to help and protect those who are being hurt. As Tachibana tries to get by in this world by learning more about it and attempting to move within its limitations, Umezawa chooses to leave society completely and walk his path alone. In the case of both of these characters, martial arts are a huge part of each of their undertakings; a defining factor in if and how they can both succeed in becoming what they want to be.
While Little Bird learns her art and learns how to fit in, she matures in a way that is absolutely amazing, and even though she is a woman, she succeeds in learning her martial arts. She begins a school where other women can learn, and continues to receive, accept, and win challenges from men that only heighten her reputation. Tiger goes out alone and the journey that he takes to learn and to protect others is one that takes a huge toll on his physical and mental well-being. His return to Japan brings back a man who is completely changed and not one that can be recognized.
ââ?¬Å"Little Bird & the Tigerââ?¬Â? is set in Japan during the last twenty years of the 19th century when the nation is in complete disorder as the Emperor is coming back to power and the samurai have been stripped of their own abilities as well as their long-held ancestral lands. This author has created an absolutely riveting depiction of this time in history; one that is violent and confusing to the people who are a part of it. He then gives us two main characters who, even though they are both Japanese and a part of this world, find it just as terrifying and confusing as readers will.
The story is so wonderfully written and descriptive, it really takes the reader ââ?¬Å"back in timeââ?¬Â? to a world that is completely different. This fascinating world jumps off the pages and comes to life for us. Mr. Amdur also gives us two amazing protagonists who are strong, have deep beliefs of their own, and will fight to become what they want to be. He also makes them believable to us. I found myself anxiously turning each page to see what would happen next and caring deeply for both characters as they went on their journeys to find themselves and to help others. The book was gripping and enlightening. It offers a chance to be thrilled and frightened, to laugh and to cry, and to simply become a part of a different world for a bit of time.
ââ?¬Å"Little Bird & the Tigerââ?¬Â? is a beautiful story that I would recommend to everyone regardless of the genre you are partial to. It is one that will leave the reader deeply moved by the struggles that these characters go through as they freely suffer to hold on to their own identities. It is also an amazing glimpse into a culture that is one you may not be well acquainted with, and I highly recommend readers jump in and be a part of it. 5 Stars!
