Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan

By: Sharon Curcio
Publisher: Fifth Wind
Publication Date: May 14, 2024
ISBN: 979-8-9900358-0-5
Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose
Review Date: December 3, 2024

Set in medieval-age Japan, Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan revolves around Asayi, the teenage daughter of the chief scribe, Oktani, who worked for the Shogun Yoshinori Ashikaga. Although Asayi could not make any audible sounds or respond verbally, her father never forced her to speak. She had lost her mother when she was very young and barely had any memories left of her. But both father as well as daughter missed lady Omari’s kind presence dearly. They were a close-knit family and with one member gone, the two relied on each other for company. While talking to the housekeeper, the old scribe fondly recollected how Asayi used to laugh more around her mother while she was still alive.

Asayi could not vocalize her thoughts, but she communicated with her brush. She was highly skilled at copying despite not understanding the meaning of the characters. She loved working on the scrolls diligently, sitting beside her father in the workroom and helping him quietly. But Oktani was worried about her future. He decided to ask the Shogun to help him arrange his daughter’s marriage. Little did he know that soon after his death, the Shogun would give the young girl’s hand in marriage to the old man’s former rival Nabui, a cruel and greedy copyist who had taken over Oktani’s position as the chief now. That marked the beginning of Asayi’s nose dive into a period of misery and torture.

Her downfall is painstakingly portrayed by the author, allowing readers to see her subjected to multiple layers of injustice, deception, betrayal and repeated physical abuse at the hands of her changing masters from Nabui to the Eta household. Her inability to speak, a prominent characteristic of people with autism, drew more wrath and fury than sympathy wherever she went. Asayi’s suffering and agonizing experiences symbolizes the kind of injustice and discrimination that autistic people often undergo in our society, thus serving as a reminder for us to be more empathetic.

It is interesting to see how Asayi evolves throughout the story from a timid submissive character to one with a stronger will to survive and reclaim her dignity on her own terms. The fact that she remains mute despite the drastic transformation of her personality and it doesn’t undermine the impact of this change, makes it even more inspiring and relatable. If she were to magically transform into a brave soldier who is able to bark orders, that would have seemed rather superficial and unrealistic. Assuming the role of a vengeful spirit was in a way empowering, as it upholds the legitimacy of feminine rage, which is often misrepresented as an evil spirit or mad women in folk tales. However, it would have been beneficial to allow the character of Lady Moira to play a more influential role in Asayi's life, exploring their familial bond and mutual understanding of each other.

Quill says: Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan brings a breath of fresh air with its Japanese cultural references and a strong female lead.

For more information on Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan, please visit the author's website at: sharon-curcio.com

Author Interview