Known to be the first Englishman in Japan, William Adams is the inspiration for James Clavel's bestselling novel Shogun, now a major new TV adaptation on Disney+.
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Meticulously researched and told across five books, Professor Richard Irving unravels the mystery of a minor English seafarer who sailed across the pacific and rose to become a Samurai.
The incredible true story of William Adams. The Blue Eyed Samurai.
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The real William Adams
The oft-told story of William Adams has been influenced by many errors of historical interpretation in the past and his tale has now become more myth than reality. This detailed retelling of his life and adventures, in Five Acts, relies on an array of original source materials to tell the true story of his early years; of his voyage to Japan; of his elevation to the rank of Samurai; of his manor near modern-day Yokosuka; and of his death in Japan in 1620.
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This tale of his incredible life concludes with the story of the recent search for his burial place, and the discovery of his remains - a search in which the author was directly involved.
Reviews
FASCINATING
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Not just the story of Will Adams, but also much detailed information about the Spanish armada, and daily struggles finding food and deadly dangers of an early voyage to the other side of the earth.
SINKEN
Amazon review
About the Author
After graduating from Sheffield University with a degree in Geography and Japanese studies, Richard Irving researched rural depopulation in Japan at Kyoto University. Returning to Sheffield to complete his PhD Richard then took up lectureship at the University of Hong Kong for 10 years, before being appointed Professor at the School of Policy Studies, Kansai Gakuin Univeristy in Hyogo Japan. He retired in 2019 and now lives in Bath, UK
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