The Usurper: An Episode in Japanese History

"The Usurper: An Episode in Japanese History" by Judith Gautier is a historical fiction story from the late 1800s that takes place in feudal Japan in 1615. The book tells of a time full of political plots, close friendships, and budding romances. It mainly follows the young leader, Fide-Yori, and his good friend, the Prince of Nagato, as they deal with dangerous secrets that threaten how they rule and discover plans that could change Japan's destiny. As the tale begins, the beautiful city of Osaka is shown in great detail as the sun comes up. Fide-Yori brings his friend Iwakura to a lemon grove, which shows how close they are and the small joys they find as they navigate their fancy lives. The story becomes more complex when Omiti, a strange girl, appears and tells of a prediction that reveals a plot against Fide-Yori's life; she advises him to stay away from the upcoming God of the Sea feast. This event starts a time of rising tension as the main characters struggle with being loyal, facing danger, and dealing with the responsibilities of being in positions of power, giving a sense of a difficult journey ahead.