Plot Shibumi (novel)

nicholai hel assassin, born in shanghai in 1925 , raised in cosmopolitan fashion mother, deposed member of russian aristocracy, , general in japanese imperial army has been billeted in nicholai s mansion. under general, hel introduced concept of shibumi , game go, being sent japan, trains under famous master of game , becomes culturally japanese . master of school discovers nicholai s ability mentally escape reality , come rested , refreshed (mystic transport). when japan surrenders in 1945, hel, after long months of hunger, finds (thanks knowledge of many languages) job interpreter in occupation army , becomes decoder agent in united states intelligence.

hel learns general raised him being held prisoner of war russians , faces ignominious show-trial war crimes, , decides way can show gratitude man s raising him in shanghai accept general s plea nicolai kill him , him avoid embarrassment of trial. achieves through skills @ art of naked/kill , martial discipline trains in use of ordinary items instruments of death. after hel kills general turned on american occupation force. hel tortured americans , held in solitary confinement without trial, hel being citizen of no country. in prison, physical , mental discipline, along studying basque language old books abandoned missionary, him retain sanity, although, due intense anger , hatred, no longer able escape mentally , reach state of peaceful ecstasy. develops, in solitude, proximity sense through aware of being drawing near (along amicable or hostile intentions), , allows him find way in complete darkness.

after 3 years, hel recruited out of cell intelligence service. in desperate need of agent able cause severe discord between russia , china. needs has nothing lose, has european features, , can speak fluent chinese , russian. hel succeeds in mission, taking payment names , locations of tortured him, , goes on become 1 of highest-paid , skillful assassins in world.

the novel begins hel, retired in late fifties in small castle overlooking village of haute-soule, in mountainous northern basque country. honorary member of local basque population, , best friend among them beñat le cagot, truculent basque nationalist , bard, whom shares immense love freedom , addiction spelunking. hel thinks allowed enjoy life in shibui way (mingling discreet epicureanism fatalism , detachment) , improves japanese garden, enjoys restrictive gastronomy, , practices highly esoteric sex concubine.

hel s shibumi existence interrupted arrival of niece of man saved hel s life many years ago, herself survivor of jewish commando unit took arms terminate last of black september terrorists, rest of small unit having been gunned down in italian airport cia agents. begs hel finish mission , eliminate terrorists, , gain revenge on mother company.