The Kabuki Book
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley October 14, 2026
Author Kohopeh
Distributor: Amazon
ISBN: 979-1098653629
Publisher: Kohōpeh Press
Release Date: 2 October 2026
FaceBook:
YouTube:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kohopeh/
X Formally Twitter:
A Novel of Feudal Japan and Ancient Gods
The Kabuki Book from Kohopeh is a most extraordinary, fascinating and all-encompassing historic fantasy, skilfully woven across the volatile Tokugawa shogunate period of history, based around the evolution of the Kabuki Theatre and the rise of one of Japan’s most esteemed Architects.
Temple Dancer and Shrine Maiden Okuni has been cast out of the temple she once graced with her charm and elegant dance. A favourite with the men who came to worship, she also attracted the jealous attention of the older and more senior temple Maidens.
On a walk in the forest Niten, a warrior and poet sees a fox is caught a trap. The vixen, terrified for her life, stops, looks back and then vanishes into the undergrowth. Niten returns to his poetry.
Eventually forced to take to the roads, due to one death to many as a Samurai, he meets Okuni, she having only her clothes and a tambourine, he with his staff, scrolls and little else; they begin what is to become a journey which will see them both learn, love, create, destroyed and rebuild against an immense time of political upheaval in Japan.
The Kabuki Book is historic fiction at its finest, weaving delicate strands of folkloric and fantasy through tumultuous times. A woman, a messenger of the Spirit world, determined to bring some joy into the lives of the ordinary people, a reluctant Samurai who would rather be writing poetry than fighting.
So begins the complex and yet immensely beautiful story of how the art form Kabuki came to be and the rise of Niten to become a revered Architect, known for his stunning designs.
Anyone who has an interest in Japan, its history and folkloric will be entranced with the story of Okuni and Niten, detailed and carefully represented against the climatic devastation of severe drought and flooding, the greed of the Edo period and the political upheaval which eventually led ‘to the brutal unification of Japan’.
Naturally, the Shinto Gods are involved in what is often a fiery and destructive debate of sorts, offset with a little whimsy, which has been used to divide the story into sections of time by explaining to the reader the reason the Gods have decreed this evolution will occur.
The Kabuki Book is an absolute masterpiece, written with care and great detail which has seen it nominated for the Literary Titan’s Book Award, highlighting its Literary significance.