BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric A. 2003. Three Samurai Cats. Ill. by Mordicai Gerstein. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0-8234-1742-5
PLOT SUMMARY
This Japanese folktale begins with the canine daimyo, or lord, in distress over the evil rat who has taken over his castle. His attempts to get rid of the rat have been unsuccessful thus far, so he decides to seek outside help. The daimyo visits a shrine where a group of samurai cats live and asks the senior monk for assistance.
The monk sends a samurai cat to do battle with the rat, but he is outsmarted and defeated. The monk sends a second, fiercer samurai cat, and this one is also defeated by the rat. Finally, the monk sends Neko Roshi, the "greatest living master of the martial arts." This cat is old and in poor health, but he takes a different approach with the rat - passivity. He does not engage the rat at all. Instead, he waits for the rat to put himself in a dangerous position, and in exchange for helping him, Neko Roshi gets the rat to agree to leave the castle once and for all.
The tale ends with an important lesson; using force is not always the solution. Sometimes, inaction is actually the best course of action.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Eric Kimmel is no stranger to folktale adaptations and retellings. He is extremely successful in this genre, with numerous children's books published, and Three Samurai Cats is an excellent example of the authenticity of his writing. Japanese culture takes center stage in this story. Kimmel frequently uses the language of the country (i.e. samurai, daimyo, karigane, ryo kuruma, etc.). The rat can be found practicing several styles of Japanese martial arts, including the use of a fighting staff, shadowboxing, and stick fighting. The corps of samurai cats reside at a shrine, which is a building of great significance in Japan. The second cat who comes to fight the rat is dressed in traditional samurai armor.
As is typical in traditional folktales, the characters in Three Samurai Cats can all be classified as "good", while the villainous rat is "bad." The plot is fast paced and filled with action. As the book comes to a close, the problem of the rat is resolved, thus giving the story a happy and satisfying ending.
Mordicai Gerstein's cartoon-like illustrations give this story a humorous spin. The daimyo has a constant crazed look on his face, signifying his anxiety over getting his castle back. The senior monk is depicted as a hound dog with a droopy face who looks like he is deep in thought. The expressions on the rats face are thoroughly devious. The third samurai cat looks so decrepit and pathetic, the reader can't help but laugh at the thought of him being of any help to the daimyo. However, once the rat gets stuck underneath the rice ball, a Gerstein gives him a determined look, and we can see the intelligence that was hidden inside.
This was my first reading of Three Samurai Cats, but I can guarantee it won't be my last. My children and I had so much fun reading this together. In response to the story, my four year old son said, "I liked the cat with all the armor and the really cool sword. I thought he could beat the rat." He then proceeded to jump off the couch and start practicing his own samurai moves! My six year old daughter was a bit more reflective when she said, "It was weird that the two strong samurai cats couldn't beat the rat, but the old, dirty cat could. I never thought he would be the one to defeat the rat."
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From BOOKLIST - "Kimmel tempers the folktale's heavy message about passive resistance with humorous, perfectly paced language that is ideal for read-alouds, and the characters in Gerstein's colorful, detailed drawings are irresistible - the saggy-jowled hound in robes; the buffoonish, wildly costumed daimyo bulldog; the scruffy, sunken Neko Roshi; and, best of all, the pot-bellied, gleefully wicked 'barbarous rat,' who is more comic foil than villain."
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - " 'Draw strength from stillness. Learn to act without acting. And never underestimate a samurai cat' - is conveyed without any element of preachiness. Gerstein's lively cartoon illustrations are at their best in depicting the loathsome rat. The daimyo and the abbot are depicted as dogs, but there's no question as to who has the upper paw."
From KIRKUS REVIEWS - "The thoughtful reader may gain some insight into the quiet workings of a Zen master's teachings. Others may simply enjoy the humorous pictures of the dogs and cats in medieval Japanese costumes, who enliven Gerstein's panels in this comic-book like format, without quite understanding the point of the story."
CONNECTIONS
Use this story as an inspiration to discuss non-violent ways your students can solve problems. Act out some common problems your students experience, and have someone demonstrate non-violent ways to solve them.
Begin a unit of study on Japan. What are samurais and what did they wear? What kinds of food are of importance in Japanese culture? What is the purpose of a shrine? In addition, read other adaptations of Japanese folktales. Compile a list of what the students have learned about Japanese culture.
- Nishizuka, Koko. The Beckoning Cat. ISBN 0823420515
- Krensky, Stephen. Bokuden and the Bully. ISBN 1580138470
- Gregory, Steven. Chieko and the Pine. ISBN 098008802X
Read other folktales that have been adapted by Eric Kimmel. Discuss similarities in his writing style in each book.
- Kimmel, Eric A. Anansi and the Talking Melon. ISBN 0823411672
- Kimmel, Eric A. Bearhead. ISBN 0823413020
- Kimmel, Eric A. Medio Pollito. ISBN 0761457054
Use this tale to teach a lesson on story elements - characters, setting, plot, and theme.
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