[1] Yodo, described as an alcoholic in the story's end section, on page 103,[2] also has an interest in literature,[1] poetry, and debate,[2] and proficiency in military affairs.
[1] Margaret Stawowy of The Japan Times characterized Yodo as "a double-talking, pompous tyrant" stated that "I was calling him an alcoholic and a bad word that also begins with “a” by page 12, and things only got worse.
"[2] Stawowy argued that the narrative, by placing so much emphasis on the erudite characterization, does not prepare the Western reader for his more disagreeable traits, even though "having wisdom and a fine intellect does not exclude the potential for base conduct".
[2] The main character, Lord of Satsuma Shimazu Hisamitsu, inadvertently causes political change for Japan by executing a Briton who drove his horse in front of him, a personal offense.
His advisors take control of him and orient him against the shogun;[1] Stawowy stated that Hisamitsu is "a wannabe scholar" and a "prototypical clueless master manipulated by retainers who are superior to him in every way except rank.