Fiction
F I C T I O N
The Sword & the Chrysanthemum, Journey of the Heart - An Allegory
About The Book
Medieval Japan is about to close its doors to the world for 250 years. Meeting secretly
since childhood, a shogun’s unconventional daughter and an irreverent Eurasian poet
are two unlikely lovers on a mystical journey that opens all doors. Woven into the silken threads of this 17th century kimono are an eccentric shogun, his ruthless samurai, and an inscrutable zen monk.
About the People
A common fisherman and poet, Arashi is a racially mixed orphan who embarks on a life-altering inner journey. Brazenly disdainful of the samurai ruling class, he scorns the rules. With an intellect that parallels her beauty and elegance, the shogun's daughter, Lady Michiko, becomes an Ambassador to China; rebellious by nature, she breaks the rules. Ruthless and ambitious Lord Masakado is the irascible shogun who makes the rules. Psychotic and lethal, General Shigemori is the samurai who executes the rules. Kato-san is the zen monk with a not-so-zen past who guides Arashi to awakening. He lives the rules of natural law and consciousness.
The Sword & the Chrysanthemum, Journey of the Heart - An Allegory
About The Book
Medieval Japan is about to close its doors to the world for 250 years. Meeting secretly
since childhood, a shogun’s unconventional daughter and an irreverent Eurasian poet
are two unlikely lovers on a mystical journey that opens all doors. Woven into the silken threads of this 17th century kimono are an eccentric shogun, his ruthless samurai, and an inscrutable zen monk.
About the People
A common fisherman and poet, Arashi is a racially mixed orphan who embarks on a life-altering inner journey. Brazenly disdainful of the samurai ruling class, he scorns the rules. With an intellect that parallels her beauty and elegance, the shogun's daughter, Lady Michiko, becomes an Ambassador to China; rebellious by nature, she breaks the rules. Ruthless and ambitious Lord Masakado is the irascible shogun who makes the rules. Psychotic and lethal, General Shigemori is the samurai who executes the rules. Kato-san is the zen monk with a not-so-zen past who guides Arashi to awakening. He lives the rules of natural law and consciousness.
Literary R E V I E W S
Swept away to a world that doesn't limit itself to the same rules of nature and culture we are forced to live by, this is effective writing and an enjoyable read with compelling characters. – The Midwest Book Review
I haven't been this captivated by a book since "The Mists of Avalon" or as inspired since Richard Bach's "Illusions." – Vivian Greene, Motivational Speaker, Creator of Kisses Cartoons.
This talented author has written a substantial and impressive novel with heavy overtones of fantasy. The overarching spiritual philosophy rings true and the intricate cultural details of 17th century Japan and China are awe-inspiring. – Writer's Digest
With passion and rich detail, Susan Scharfman has written an epic novel spanning two continents, and a life altering inner journey.
– Foreign Service Journal Magazine
A M A Z O N . C O M Customer Reviews
”Sorry my English not very good. I am Chinese girl now living in Shenzhen, a beautiful modern city near Hong Kong. While studying at university in Luoyang City, my professor Dr. Zhou, recommended your book to our class. Thank you for such very good book that I read online. For us not easy to find English editions. You are erudite scholar. I admire you and hope you come to China. I will be your good guide." – Vicky Liu, Shenzhen, China
"Absolutely love all the hidden messages in this book. It touches me in so many ways. It made me realize that in the end, everything will be okay. No need to beat myself up for the mistakes I made. Just forgive myself and let go. It made such a huge difference in my being. Thank you....thank you." – Khemmarat Benjatanawat, Apia, Samoa
"The characters gave a passionate look at the Japanese culture during the Ming dynasty. All classes from Shogun to monks to peasants were repesented in a flowing story that would make a great movie. The mysticism added even more to the plot." – Bonnie Rabert, St Simons Island, GA, U.S.
"I finished your wonderful, fascinating, colorful novel on my long flight yesterday from Helsinki to West Palm Beach. I could not put it down and just wanted to have it continue when I finished it. Any chance of a sequel? What a book! Love it!" – Cynthia Makris, Opera Singer, Music Teacher, Real Estate Agent, Boynton Beach, FL
Please CLICK HERE for The Sword and the Chrysanthemum, Journey of the Heart, available on Amazon.com as a Kindle book
Swept away to a world that doesn't limit itself to the same rules of nature and culture we are forced to live by, this is effective writing and an enjoyable read with compelling characters. – The Midwest Book Review
I haven't been this captivated by a book since "The Mists of Avalon" or as inspired since Richard Bach's "Illusions." – Vivian Greene, Motivational Speaker, Creator of Kisses Cartoons.
This talented author has written a substantial and impressive novel with heavy overtones of fantasy. The overarching spiritual philosophy rings true and the intricate cultural details of 17th century Japan and China are awe-inspiring. – Writer's Digest
With passion and rich detail, Susan Scharfman has written an epic novel spanning two continents, and a life altering inner journey.
– Foreign Service Journal Magazine
A M A Z O N . C O M Customer Reviews
”Sorry my English not very good. I am Chinese girl now living in Shenzhen, a beautiful modern city near Hong Kong. While studying at university in Luoyang City, my professor Dr. Zhou, recommended your book to our class. Thank you for such very good book that I read online. For us not easy to find English editions. You are erudite scholar. I admire you and hope you come to China. I will be your good guide." – Vicky Liu, Shenzhen, China
"Absolutely love all the hidden messages in this book. It touches me in so many ways. It made me realize that in the end, everything will be okay. No need to beat myself up for the mistakes I made. Just forgive myself and let go. It made such a huge difference in my being. Thank you....thank you." – Khemmarat Benjatanawat, Apia, Samoa
"The characters gave a passionate look at the Japanese culture during the Ming dynasty. All classes from Shogun to monks to peasants were repesented in a flowing story that would make a great movie. The mysticism added even more to the plot." – Bonnie Rabert, St Simons Island, GA, U.S.
"I finished your wonderful, fascinating, colorful novel on my long flight yesterday from Helsinki to West Palm Beach. I could not put it down and just wanted to have it continue when I finished it. Any chance of a sequel? What a book! Love it!" – Cynthia Makris, Opera Singer, Music Teacher, Real Estate Agent, Boynton Beach, FL
Please CLICK HERE for The Sword and the Chrysanthemum, Journey of the Heart, available on Amazon.com as a Kindle book
