Cloud Of Sparrows

The adventure-chasing spirit of James Clavell lives in this triumphant debut novel.

Takashi Matsuoka was born in Japan and raised in the United States. He lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was employed at a Zen Buddhist temple before becoming a full-time writer. Cloud of Sparrows is his first novel.

Warrior clans nursing ancient grudges. Western missionaries brandishing pistols. Beautiful geishas who are deadly ninjas. 
 
1861 - after two centuries of isolation Japan has been forced to open its doors. Now new influences are tearing apart the old order. Japan is as unprepared for outsiders as missionaries are for samurai assassins, executions and honour killings. Genji's life is at risk. He plans his escape to the Cloud of Sparrows but the road is long and there are many places along the way for brutal samurai to attack -The demons of the past, the treachery of the present, an uncertain future are about to collide in the most terrifying ways.

Takashi Matsuoka

'Stretching back and forth through the centuries, Matsuoka weaves a timeless tale of intrigue and romance'

'Matsuoka's rich, authoritative storytelling makes this an engrossing read'

'Offers one of the most impressive feats of storytelling to come along in years.... told in all the rich and exotic detail that made [Cloud of Sparrows] such a delight'

The year is 1311, in the highest tower of Cloud of Sparrows Castle, a beautiful woman watches from the window as the city is set alight and a mob runs riot destroying everything they can lay their hands on. She begins to write down the events unfolding around her and the secret history of the Okumichi Clan. 
 
Six centuries later the lost scrolls fall into the hands of American missionary Emily Gibson, a new arrival at Edo Harbour and racing from her tragic past. Emily quickly finds herself translating the text, caught up in the gripping tale of ancestry, heroism and forbidden love. At the same time Emily is desperately trying to unravel the complexities in her own life as two men fight for her love. 
 
As Emily sifts through the fragile scrolls, she begins to see threads of her own life woven into the ancient writings. As past and present collide, a hidden history comes to life, and with it a secret prophecy that has been shrouded for centuries and may now finally be revealed.

Takashi Matsuoka

Praise for Autumn Bridge

'Stretching back and forth through the centuries, Matsuoka weaves a timeless tale of intrigue and romance'

'Matsuoka's rich, authoritative storytelling makes this an engrossing read'

'Offers one of the most impressive feats of storytelling to come along in years.... told in all the rich and exotic detail that made [Cloud of Sparrows] such a delight'

'Stretching back and forth through the centuries, Matsuoka weaves a timeless tale of intrigue and romance'

'Matsuoka's rich, authoritative storytelling makes this an engrossing read'

'Offers one of the most impressive feats of storytelling to come along in years.... told in all the rich and exotic detail that made [Cloud of Sparrows] such a delight'

'Stretching back and forth through the centuries, Matsuoka weaves a timeless tale of intrigue and romance'

'Matsuoka's rich, authoritative storytelling makes this an engrossing read'

'Offers one of the most impressive feats of storytelling to come along in years.... told in all the rich and exotic detail that made [Cloud of Sparrows] such a delight'

Books by Takashi Matsuoka

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