Finished: 11 Volumes
“新書太閤記” (Shinsho Taikōki) by Eiji Yoshikawa is an epic Japanese historical novel that brings to life the extraordinary journey of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Japan’s second “great unifier.” From his modest origins to his rise as a powerful daimyo and eventual ruler of Japan, the novel vividly portrays his alliances with figures like Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Akechi Mitsuhide. Along the way, it explores his personal triumphs and challenges, including his marriage to Nene, painting a rich tapestry of ambition, loyalty, and power during the turbulent Sengoku era.