Shike: Robert Shea's Epic Tale of War and Secret Societies
Published in 1981, Shike is a sweeping two-volume novel by Robert Shea that blends historical events with fictional drama. The narrative compresses various eras of Japanese history, weaving the Genpei War and the Mongol invasions into a singular, cohesive story centered on the lives of two star-crossed lovers.
Key Facts
- Author: Robert Shea
- Publication Year: 1981
- Format: Two-volume novel
- Primary Setting: Fictionalized historical Japan
- Core Themes: Class hypocrisy, forbidden love, and secret societies
- Historical Events: Genpei War and Mongol invasions of Japan
The Narrative and Central Characters
The story follows the intertwined fates of Jebu and Shima Taniko. Jebu is a warrior-monk of the Order of Zinja, born to a Mongol father and a Japanese mother. His character serves as a highly fictionalized version of the legendary figure Benkei. Taniko is a minor noblewoman who becomes the object of Jebu's affection during his first mission.
The plot is set in motion when Jebu is tasked with escorting Taniko to an arranged marriage with Prince Horigawa, a powerful, cunning, and malevolent nobleman. This setup establishes a tragic trajectory; as the story progresses, Jebu and Taniko are forced onto opposing sides of a civil war. While Taniko rises in social prominence—eventually becoming the grandmother of a shōgun—her status and Jebu's unwavering loyalty to his order ensure they can never truly be together.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Social Commentary and Class Conflict
Beyond the romance and warfare, Shea uses the novel to explore the hypocrisies inherent in the Japanese social hierarchy of the era. He highlights a sharp contrast between the noble class and the warrior class (samurai).
- The Nobility: While they view the samurai as inferior, the nobles often engage in the same barbarous behaviors they condemn in the warrior class.
- The Samurai: Despite presenting themselves as worldly and genteel, the samurai are depicted as ruffians with shifting loyalties.
The Zinja and Global Secret Societies
A central element of the novel is the Zinja, a clan of grey-clad warrior monks. According to Abbot Taitaro, the Zinja are not an isolated group but are related to a network of secret societies across the globe. These connections include:
- The White Lotus Society in China
- The Hashishim (Assassins) in the Middle East
- The Knights Templar in Europe
This conceptual framework links Shike to Shea's other works. An aside in his 1986 novel, All Things Are Lights, connects the Zinja to the broader themes of secret societies found in Shea's collaboration with Robert Anton Wilson in The Illuminatus! Trilogy.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Summary of Novel Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Protagonists | Jebu (Warrior-monk) and Shima Taniko (Noblewoman) |
| Antagonist | Prince Horigawa |
| Historical Scope | Genpei War and Mongol invasions |
| Secret Order | The Zinja (linked to Templars and Hashishim) |
| Literary Tone | Tragedy focusing on class and loyalty |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary plot of Shike?
The novel follows the tragic romance between Jebu, a mixed-heritage warrior-monk, and Shima Taniko, a noblewoman, as they are separated by social status and forced onto opposing sides of a civil war in fictionalized historical Japan.
How does the novel handle Japanese history?
Robert Shea compresses and fictionalizes history to fit the Genpei War and the Mongol invasions within the lifespans of the main characters.
Who are the Zinja?
The Zinja are a clan of grey-clad warrior monks who are presented as being related to other global secret societies, such as the Knights Templar and the White Lotus Society.
How does Shike relate to The Illuminatus! Trilogy?
Through the concept of the Zinja and references in Shea's later work, All Things Are Lights, the novel is tenuously linked to the secret society themes explored in The Illuminatus! Trilogy.
What is the main social theme of the book?
The book focuses on the hypocrisy of the noble and warrior classes, contrasting the nobles' perceived superiority with their barbarous actions and the samurai's claims of gentility against their actual ruffian nature.