Child of Vengeance is a novel by David Kirk, based on the early life of Musashi Miyamoto. It follows his growth into the legendary swordsman he became renowned as, introducing him as Bennosuke Shinmen, son of Munisai, a famous samurai. At the same time, it follows events around him as the Regent Hideyoshi Toyotomi's failing health sets the stage for civil war, culminating in the Battle of Sekigahara.
Child of Vengeance contains examples of:
- Abusive Parents: Munisai's training of Bennosuke borders on this at times.
- Artistic License – History: The author notes several instances in the afterword, explaining that he took full advantage of the mysteries surrounding Musashi's early years.
- The Naokata Clan are entirely fictionalised.
- There are conflicting accounts around whether Musashi was at Sekigahara or what if he did if he was present. Kirk has him duel a champion from the Yoshioka School in front of the two armies.
- Bennosuke's parentage is also an invention.
- Arima did fight Bennosuke in Miyamoto, but under different circumstances.
- Asshole Victim: Arima, Hayato Naokata's lackey. Crippling a peasant while showing off his skill with a sword and assaulting Dorinbo for trying to prevent a duel between him and Bennosuke. He pays for it with a caved-in skull.
- Naokata too, even more so. he loses his forearm when he ambushes Bennosuke and later Bennosuke corners him after Sekigahara and forces him to commit seppuku.
- Body Horror: Munisai's botched seppuku.
- Break the Haughty: A villainous example with Hayato Naokata.
- The Champion: Seibei at Sekigahara.
- The Chessmaster: Offscreen, Ieyasu Tokugawa. Between the Regent's death and Sekigahara, he defies the odds to become the single biggest contender for the Shogunate. At Sekigahara, he lures the Western army into a battle where they have the advantage - until Lord Kobayakawa turns on his former allies.
- Combat by Champion: Precedes the main engagement at Sekigahara.
- Coming of Age Story: Is essentially this for Bennosuke.
- Death of a Child: With a vengeance. The book all-but opens with a young boy committing seppuku.
- Famous In Universe: Munisai is well-known as a famous swordsman, named The Nation's Finest.
- Honour Before Reason: How Bennosuke comes to see the Way of Samurai, and how Kumagai and his men die, charging the Tokugawa guns.
- The Gathering of the Horse also counts as this, with thousands of men risking their lives to win prestige.
- Master Swordsman: This is a book about samurai, after all. Munisai and Seibei of the Yoshioka qualify, and ultimately Musashi will become one himself.
- Meaningful Rename: After defeating Arima with a staff, Bennosuke is likened to a great hero called Musashi, famous for fighting with a staff. When he has to leave his name behind, he replaces it with this. (This likely refers to Benkei Musashibou.)
- Miles Gloriousus: The Lord Naokata, who parades the strength of his Clan whilst lacking any real martial talent.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: Munisai and Dorinbo, respectively. Munisai has a fierce temper and has dedicated himself to fighting, while Dorinbo is avowedly peaceful and a healer.
- Scenery Gorn: Both the Battle of Sekigahara and its aftermath. A large part of the gorn is ordered by Tokugawa himself, as he demands a tower of enemy heads to commemorate his victory.
- Sequel Hook: Unbeknownst to Bennosuke, three Yoshioka discuss his alleged insult to their school after killing Seijuro and ominously add his name to "the list."
- Translation Convention: A bit unusually, the author avoids using terms like "katana" and "wakizashi" even though the reader is likely bound to be familiar with them given the topic, and uses "longsword" and "shortsword" instead.
- Young Future Famous Person: Musashi Miyamoto himself, and Ieyasu Tokugawa, future Shogun of Japan.
