The Kanji for Himiko...

Everyone knows Himiko, the queen of Yamatai, but I always wondered why, despite being a queen, her name uses the kanji '卑' (hi), which means lowly or base. In this novel, the protagonist belongs to a lineage of servants from Nakoku, a state that has studied Chinese language for generations. His grandfather had previously made a tribute mission to Han China, and now he himself is chosen to lead a tribute mission to Han as the nation's representative. He is overwhelmed by the power of the Han empire, with its iron-wheeled chariots and well-maintained roads, and desperately tries to fulfill his mission. The story depicts, over generations, the struggles of Yamatai and its surrounding states as they rise and fall, offering tribute to Han China and desperately trying to adopt the latest technologies, such as iron tools, for their own lands. It's a painfully earnest portrayal. It's also poignant that the only thing Japan could offer to China at the time, without shame, was 'humans'. Despite this somber introduction, this novel features no villains and can be read with peace of mind (?). The author, Hahakigi Hōsei, has written several similar novels. His work 'Kokudō,' about the laborers who built the Great Buddha of Nara, is also a masterpiece! If you have the time, please give it a try!