Why Feudal Japan?

A World Still Reeling from War

The story takes place in the immediate aftermath of the brutal suppression of the Christian rebellion at Hara Castle in 1638 (I would recommend this book for more information), an event that casts a long shadow over the characters’ lives. The violence of the rebellion and the massacre that followed serve as a constant reminder of the fragility of peace in a nation governed by an iron-fisted Shogunate. While the Tokugawa Shogunate enforces a veneer of order and stability across Feudal Japan (emphasis on the word feudal given how rigid the class system is at this point), A Collection of Wanderers reveals a society still reeling from the horrors of war, deeply scarred by betrayals, violence, and the relentless pursuit of power.

Feudal Japan, as presented in this novella, is a world of contradictions. On the surface, it is a time of relative peace, but beneath that facade lies the harsh reality of control and conformity. The samurai class enforced order with unwavering obedience to the shogunate.

The central characters of the novella are deeply affected by this landscape of Feudal Japan. Each of them carries some sort of problem with them or flaw (as should any well-written character). In this time of transition, as the country seeks to return to normalcy, the characters’ quests for meaning and purpose reflect the larger struggles of Feudal Japan itself.

The Monk: A Desire for Emptiness

At the heart of the story is the monk, a former samurai who now wanders the countryside as a komusō, a member of a sect of mendicant monks known for their distinctive basket hats that obscure their faces. The monk’s true name is never revealed; instead, he adopts the name “Kago,” meaning “cage” or “basket.” His identity is hidden, a symbol of his desire to shed the violent past that haunts him. Once a skilled warrior and a brutal samurai, the monk now seeks spiritual redemption, distancing himself from the violence he once perpetrated. His journey is self-purification. He would rather be nobody than himself.

The monk’s journey begins when he encounters the aftermath of the Christian rebellion, even being knocked into a pile of severed heads (a rather blunt way to get the reader onboard with the tone, but I thought it would be sufficently visceral). This gruesome scene catalyzes his decision to make a pilgrimage to Kyoto, hoping to cleanse himself of the horrors he has witnessed and the bloodshed he once took part in. Along the way, he encounters various characters, each with their own stories of loss, survival, and the quest for meaning.

In his interactions with others, the monk struggles with the very essence of his identity. He despises who he once was, yet the sword he carries is a painful reminder of that past (I tried to ensure that his conversations didn’t simply go in circles, but instead built upon the theme of his character). The monk’s internal conflict—his longing to be free from the violence he once embraced while still haunted by its memory—forms the emotional core of the novella.

Mitsu: A Retainer’s Quest for Survival

Mitsu, a cold-hearted retainer, is another central figure in A Collection of Wanderers. His character is, at first, driven by a desire to do what is ‘proper’. He wants to follow the rules. He’s already murdered the lover of his lord for supposed plotting, so at this point he’s going along with what his lord wants. He is sent into the forest to die at the hands of a ‘kijo‘. He initially seeks to end his life through seppuku, but as the story unfolds, his views shift. Mitsu’s journey is one of self-discovery, as he grapples with the meaning of life and death, running more on instinct that any lofty ideas (any more would spoil the story).

His story intersects with that of Anko, a former farmer who was exiled after killing a samurai in self-defense. Anko becomes an unlikely companion for Mitsu as they flee from hunters sent to kill them. Together, they form a tenuous bond as they travel toward Kyoto, where they hope to find freedom from the forces that pursue them.

Mitsu’s internal conflict mirrors that of the monk—both men are driven by a desire to escape their pasts, but while the monk seeks spiritual peace, Mitsu’s journey is more practical. He simply wants to live life on his own terms, free from the people that want him dead. If he is to die, it will be the right way, whatever that means in this scenario (he was hoping to split his belly, but that isn’t really an option now).

Momiji: The Spy and Her Hidden Agenda

Momiji, the young spy sent to kill Mitsu, represents the complexity of duty and morality in a world where survival often comes at the cost of personal values. Trained as an assassin (because shinobi/ninjas weren’t women, so she’s just a normal spy), she is tasked with eliminating Mitsu, but as the story progresses, she becomes conflicted about her mission. Although she has never killed before, her training and loyalty to her lord push her to follow through with her orders. She is often disguised, hiding her true nature from those around her.

Momiji’s internal struggle is central to her character arc. She is forced to consider her place in the world and whether this is what she wants out of life.

A Tale of Redemption and the Fragility of Identity

A Collection of Wanderers was born out of my enjoyment of Feudal Japan’s aesthetic and history. I saw the komuso and their separation from the self and decided that this would make an interesting character.  The story could not just be about him, so I introduced these other characters for the sake of different perspectives on the society they were in.

The novella’s title, A Collection of Wanderers, is apt given it’s not entirely Kago’s story. Mitsu is as much a protagonist as he is an antagonist or even a force. Each of them is a wanderer in their own right, wanting some form of belonging, even if the specifics differ. Anko would be the most overt of these given how long she’s been an outcast against her will. It’s why I kept her in the story through the different drafts. A woman’s perspective is needed in things like this.