by Jay Kristoff
Gaijin—literally “foreigner.” A person not of Shimanese decent. The Shima Shōgunate has been embroiled in a war of conquest in the gaijin country of Morcheba for over twenty years.
Inochi—literally “life.” A fertilizer which, when applied to crops of blood lotus, delays the onset of soil degradation caused by the plant’s toxicity.
Irezumi—a tattoo, created by inserting ink beneath the skin with steel or bamboo needles. Members of all Shima clans wear the totem of their clan on their right shoulder. City dwellers will often mark their left shoulder with a symbol to denote their profession. The complexity of the design communicates the wealth of the bearer—larger, more elaborate designs can take months or even years to complete and cost many hundreds of kouka.
Kami—spirits, natural forces or universal essences. This word can refer to personified deities, such as Izanagi or Raijin, or broader elemental forces, such as fire or water. Each clan in Shima also has a guardian kami, from which the clan draws its name.
Kazumitsu Dynasty—the hereditary line of Shōgun that rule the Shima Imperium. Named for the first of the line to claim the title—Kazumitsu I—who led a successful revolt against the corrupt Tenma Emperors.
Kitsune—literally “Fox.” One of the four zaibatsu clans of Shima, known for stealth and good fortune. The Kitsune clan live close to the haunted Iishi Mountains, and venerate Tsukiyomi, the God of the Moon. Also: the kami guardian of the same zaibatsu, said to bring good fortune to those who bear his mark. The saying “Kitsune looks after his own” is often used to account for inexplicable good luck.
Kouka—the currency of Shima. Coins are flat and rectangular, made of two strips of plaited metal; more valuable iron, and less valuable copper. Coins are often cut into smaller pieces to conduct minor transactions. These small pieces are known as “bits.” Ten copper kouka buys one iron kouka.
Lotus Guild—a cabal of zealots who oversee the production of chi and the distribution of inochi fertilizer in Shima. Referred to collectively as “Guildsmen,” the Lotus Guild is comprised of three parts; rank-and-file “Lotusmen,” the engineers of the “Artificer” sect, and the religious arm known as “Purifiers.” “False-Lifers” are a subsect of the Artificer caste.
Oni—a demon of the Yomi underworld, reputedly born to the Goddess Izanami after she was corrupted by the Land of the Dead. Old legends report that their legion is one thousand and one strong. They are a living embodiment of evil, delighting in slaughter and the misfortune of man.
Ryu—literally “Dragon.” One of the four zaibatsu clans of Shima, renowned as great explorers and traders. In the early days before Empire, the Ryu were a seafaring clan of raiders who pillaged among the northern clans. They venerate Susano-ō, God of Storms. Also: the kami guardian of the same zaibatsu, a powerful spirit beast and elemental force associated with random destruction, bravery and mastery of the seas.
Sama—a suffix applied to a person’s name. This is a far more respectful version of “san.” Used to refer to one of much higher rank than the speaker.
Samurai—a member of the military nobility who adheres to the Bushido Code. Each samurai must be sworn to the service of a Lord—either a clan Daimyo, or the Shōgun himself. To die honorably in service to one’s Lord is the greatest aspiration of any samurai’s life. The most accomplished and wealthy amongst these warriors wear chi-powered suits of heavy armor called “ō-yoroi,” earning them the name “Iron Samurai.”
San—a suffix applied to a person’s name. This is a common honorific, used to indicate respect to a peer, similar to “Mr” or “Mrs.” Usually used when referring to males.
Sensei—a teacher.
Seppuku—a form of ritualized suicide in which the practitioner disembowels himself and is then beheaded by a kaishakunin (a “second,” usually a close and trusted comrade). Death by seppuku is thought to alleviate loss of face, and can spare the family of the practitioner shame by association. An alternative version of seppuku, called “jumonji giri” is also practiced to atone for particularly shameful acts. The practitioner is not beheaded—instead he performs a second vertical cut in his belly and is left to bear his suffering quietly until dying from blood loss.
Shōgun—literally “commander of a force.” The title of the hereditary military dictator of the Shima Imperium. The current line of rulers is descended from Tora Kazumitsu, an army commander who led a bloody uprising against Shima’s former hereditary rulers, the Tenma Emperors.
Seii Taishōgun—literally “great general who subdues eastern barbarians.”
Tora—literally “Tiger.” The greatest of the four zaibatsu of Shima, and the clan from which the Kazumitsu Dynasty originates. The Tora are a warrior clan, who venerate Hachiman, the God of War. Also: the kami guardian of the same zaibatsu, closely associated with the concept of ferocity, hunger and physical desire.
Yōkai—a blanket term for preternatural creatures thought to originate in the spirit realms. These include arashitora, sea dragons and the dreaded oni.
Zaibatsu—literally “plutocrats.” The four conglomerate clans of the Shima Imperium. After the rebellion against the Tenma Emperors, Shōgun Kazumitsu rewarded his lieutenants with stewardship over vast territories. The clans to which the new Daimyo belonged (Tiger, Phoenix, Dragon and Fox) slowly consumed the clans of the surrounding territories through economic and military warfare, and became known as “zaibatsu.”
CLOTHING
Hakama—a divided skirt that resembles a wide-legged pair of trousers, tied tight into a narrow waist. Hakama have seven deep pleats–five in front, two at the back–to represent the seven virtues of Bushido. An undivided variant of hakama exists (i.e. a single leg, more like a skirt) intended for wear over a kimono.
Jin-haori—a kimono-style tabard worn by samurai.
Jûnihitoe—an extraordinarily complex and elegant style of kimono, worn by courtly ladies.
Kimono—an ankle-length, T-shaped robe with long, wide sleeves, worn by both men and women. A younger woman’s kimono will have longer sleeves, signifying that she is unmarried. The styles range from casual to extremely formal. Elaborate kimono designs can consist of more than twelve separate pieces and incorporate up to sixty square feet of cloth.
Mempō—a face mask, one component of the armor worn by samurai. Mempō are often crafted to resemble fantastical creatures, or made in twisted designs intended to strike fear into the enemy.
Obi—a sash, usually worn with kimono. Men’s obi are usually narrow; no more than four inches wide. A formal woman’s obi can measure a foot in width and up to twelve feet in length. Obi are worn in various elaborate styles and tied in decorative bows and knots.
Uwagi—a kimono-like jacket that extends no lower than mid-thigh. Uwagi can have long, wide sleeves, or be cut in sleeveless fashion to display the wearer’s irezumi.
WEAPONS
Daishō—A paired set of swords, consisting of a katana and wakizashi. The weapons will usually be constructed by the same artisan, and have matching designs on the blades, hilts and scabbards. The daishō is a status symbol, marking the wearer as a member of the samurai caste.
Katana—A sword with a single-edged, curved, slender blade over two feet in length, and a long hilt bound in criss-crossed cord, allowing for a double-handed grip. Katana are usually worn with shorter blades known as wakizashi.
Nagamaki—a pole weapon with a large and heavy blade. The handle measures close to three feet, with the blade measuring the same. It closely resembles a naginata, but the weapon’s handle is bound in similar fashion to a katana hilt—cords wrapped in criss-crossed manner.
Naginata—a pole weapon, similar to a spear, with a curved, single-edged blade at the end. The haft typically measures between five and seven feet. The blade can be up to three feet long, and is similar to a katana.
Ō-yoroi—suits of heavy samurai armor powered by chi-fueled engines. The armor augments the wearer’s strength, and is impenetrable to most conventional weaponry.
&
nbsp; Tantō—a short, single- or double-edged dagger, between six and twelve inches in length. Women often carry tantō for self-defense, as the knife can easily be concealed inside an obi.
Tetsubo—a long war club, made of wood or solid iron, with iron spikes or studs at one end, used to crush armor, horses or other weapons in battle. The use of a tetsubo requires great balance and strength—a miss with the club can leave the wielder open to counterattack.
Wakizashi—a sword with a single-edged, curved, slender blade between one and two feet in length, with a short, single-handed hilt bound in criss-crossed cord. It is usually worn with a longer blade, known as a katana.
RELIGION
Amaterasu—Goddess of the Sun. Daughter of Izanagi. She was born along with Tsukiyomi, God of the Moon, and Susano-ō, God of Storms, when her father returned from Yomi and washed to purify himself of Yomi’s taint. She is a benevolent deity, a bringer of life, although in recent decades has become seen as a harsh and unforgiving Goddess. She is not fond of either of her brothers, refusing to speak to Tsukiyomi, and constantly tormented by Susano-ō. She is patron of the Phoenix zaibatsu, and is also often venerated by women.
Enma-ō—one of the nine Yama Kings, and chief judge of all the hells. Enma-ō is the final arbiter of where a soul will reside after death, and how soon it will be allowed to rejoin the wheel of life.
Izanagi (Lord)—also called Izanagi-no-Mikoto, literally “He who Invites”, the Maker God of Shima. He is a benevolent deity who, with his wife Izanami, is responsible for creating the Shima Isles, their pantheon of Gods and all the life therein. After the death of his wife in childbirth, Izanagi travelled to Yomi to retrieve her soul, but failed to return her to the land of the living.
Izanami (Lady)—also called the Dark Mother, and the Endsinger, wife to Izanagi, the Maker God. Izanami died giving birth to the Shima Isles, and was consigned to dwell in the Yomi underworld. Izanagi sought to reclaim his wife, but she was corrupted by Yomi’s dark power, becoming a malevolent force and hater of the living. She is mother to the thousand and one oni, a legion of demons who exist to plague the people of Shima.
Hachiman—the God of War. Originally a scholarly deity, thought of more as a tutor in the ways of war, Hachiman has become re-personified in recent decades to reflect the more violent warlike ways of the Shima government. He is now seen as the embodiment of war, often depicted with a weapon in one hand and a white dove in the other, signifying desire for peace, but readiness to act. He is patron of the Tiger zaibatsu.
The hells—a collective term for the nine planes of existence where a soul can be sent after death. Many of the hells are places where souls are sent temporarily to suffer for transgressions in life, before moving back to the cycle of rebirth. Before Lord Izanagi commanded the Yama Kings to take stewardship over the souls of the damned in order to help usher them towards enlightenment, Shima had but a single hell—the dark, rotting pit of Yomi.
The hungry dead—the restless residents of the underworld. Spirits of wicked people consigned to hunger and thirst in Yomi’s dark for all eternity.
Raijin—God of Thunder and Lightning, son of Susano-ō. Raijin is seen as a cruel God, fond of chaos and random destruction. He creates thunder by pounding his drums across the sky. He is the creator of arashitora, the thunder tigers.
Susano-ō—the God of Storms. Son of Izanagi, he was born along with Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun and Tsukiyomi, God of the Moon, when his father returned from Yomi and washed to purify himself of Yomi’s taint. Susano-ō is generally seen as a benevolent God, but he constantly torments his sister, Amaterasu, Lady of the Sun, causing her to hide her face. He is father to the Thunder God, Raijin, the deity who created arashitora—the thunder tigers. He is patron of the Ryu zaibatsu.
Tsukiyomi—the God of the Moon. Son of Izanagi. He was born along with Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun, and Susano-ō, God of Storms, when his father returned from Yomi and washed to purify himself of Yomi’s taint. Tsukiyomi angered his sister, Amaterasu, when he slaughtered Uke Mochi, the Goddess of Food. Amaterasu has refused to speak to him since, which is why the Sun and Moon never share the same sky. He is a quiet God, fond of stillness and learning. He is the patron of the Kitsune zaibatsu.
Yomi—the deepest level of the hells, where the evil dead are sent to rot and suffer for all eternity. Home of demons, and the Dark Mother, Lady Izanami.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Jay Kristoff would like to offer Big Scary Hugs to the following outstanding human beings:
Amanda, for the throwaway line that planted the seed for the entire book, reading it seventeen thousand times, being generally wonderful and forgiving of my silence, surliness and sarcasm.
Pete Wolverton, Julie Crisp and Anne Brewer, for handing me the hacksaw and blowtorch, and helping make this book something I’m truly proud of.
Brunch Bitch, Sharkgrrl, KK and The KitKat for telling me the parts that sucked and saying OMFG in all the right places. I love youse guys.
Matt Bialer and LT Ribar for shooting straight, changing my diapers and wiping the dribble away from my bubbling lips.
The fantabulous Cassie Galante, Rachel Howard and the PR/Marketing posse at St. Martin’s Press, Bella Pagan, Louise Buckley and all at Tor UK, Charlotte “Don’t call me Reetard” Ree, Hayley Crandell, Praveen Naidoo and crew @ PanMacMillan Aus. You people are awesome, and the energy you put into pimping my sorry ass is nothing short of amazing. Much love.
Scott Westerfeld, Pat Rothfuss, K. W. Jeter, Stephen Hunt, Marissa Meyer and Kevin “Droogie” Hearne for not only reading but pimping my warez.
Lance Hewett, Narita Misaki, Sudayama Aki and Paul Cechner for being my gurus in all things Japanese.
The mighty Kira Ostrovska for laying the smackdown on my Russki. “Imperatritsa dvenatseti stolits!”
Brad Carpenter, the web-mastah of disastah, the ayatollah of rock and rollah.
Marc, B-Money, Rafe, Weez, Surly Jim, Burglar, Eli, Beiber, The Dread Pirate Glouftis, Bertie, Tom, Steve, Mini, Chris, Gav and all other members of my nerd posse, past and present, for getting me out of the godsdamn house occasionally.
The inimitable Doctor Sam Bowden, for the hasty class on tension pneumothorax, and dragging his fiiiine self all the way across the country for my book launch.
Eamon Kenny, for setting me straight on all things radio (even though we cut 90 percent of it in edits).
Kristy Echeverria for allllll the gory details.
Araki Miho, once again, for her beautiful calligraphy.
Jimmy the Orrsome for our clan logos (shoulda charged a percentage, man), and Sir Christopher Tovo for the lurrrve on film.
Jason Chan, holy shit, dude. You can be my wingman anytime.
The book bloggers—too many to mention, never too many to remember—who did so much to get this thing’s clockwork wings off the ground. You people are so very, very metal. You know who you are. I know who you are. Never stop being awesome.
The incredible people who made me poetry or music or paintings or reviews, who took this thing I created and created something themselves. That, more than anything on this strange little ride, has struck me as extraordinary.
My family for never really changing, despite the distance and the years.
And last but far from least:
You.
ALSO BY JAY KRISTOFF
Stormdancer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JAY KRISTOFF grew up in the most isolated capital city on earth and fled at his earliest convenience, although he’s been known to trek back for weddings of the particularly nice and funerals of the particularly wealthy. Being the holder of an arts degree, he has no educaiton to speak of. He is six feet seven inches and has approximately 13,250 days to live.
He lives in Melbourne with his wife and the world’s laziest Jack Russell terrier. Visit him online at www.JayKristoff.com.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either produc
ts of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin’s Press.
KINSLAYER. Copyright © 2013 by Jay Kristoff. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.thomasdunnebooks.com
www.stmartins.com
Map artwork © David Atkinson: handmademaps.com
Kanji designs: Araki Miho: ebisudesign.com
Clan logo design: James Orr
Cover design by Young Jin Lim
Cover illustration by Jason Chan
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Kristoff, Jay.
Kinslayer / Jay Kristoff. — First Edition.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-250-00141-2 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-250-02294-3 (e-book)
1. Steampunk fiction. I. Title.
PR9619.4.K74K56 2013
823'.92—dc23
2013016734
e-ISBN 9781250022943
Simultaneously published in Great Britain by Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
First U.S. Edition: September 2013
