Japanese names usually consist of a family name (surname) followed by a given name, unlike in the Western world where the given name comes before the surname. In feudal Japan, names reflected a person’s social status and spiritual beliefs. Also, when addressing someone, san is added to that person’s surname (or given names in less formal situations) as a sign of courtesy, in the same way that we use Mr or Mrs in English, and for higher-status people sama is used. In Japan, sensei is usually added after a person’s name if they are a teacher, although in the Young Samurai books a traditional English order has been retained. Boys and girls are usually addressed using kun and chan, respectively.

Acknowledgements

This seventh book in the Young Samurai series was a true voyage of discovery, terror and excitement. For one thing, I didn’t know if I would ever reach my destination – a book is like an open ocean: formidable, unpredictable and awe-inspiring. Luckily, I was accompanied on my voyage by my ever-faithful crew.

Thank you and love to my family: my gorgeous and understanding wife, Sarah, my hardworking Mum and Dad, my supportive in-laws, Sue and Simon, my loyal Steve and Sam, and Karen, Rob and Thomas (who are family in my heart). And, of course, with the birth of my son, Zach, I had an extra passenger on-board while writing! Although you stopped me doing my duty as ‘captain’ of the story for the first few months, you quickly turned into an indispensable member of my closest crew – giving me smiles when I needed them most, laughs when I was at my lowest, and love at all times of the day. I couldn’t have written this book without everyone’s wonderful support.

A huge thanks must also go to the engine of this ‘ship’: Charlie Viney, my agent and friend; Shannon Park, my editor; the Puffin team – Wendy Shakespeare, Julia Teece, Jayde Lynch, Vanessa Godden, Sara Flavell and Paul Young; and Franca Bernatavicius and Nicki Kennedy, my overseas agents.

Well done to Toby Cronshaw who won the Young Samurai website competition to suggest the name for the fearsome pirate leader who would be Jack’s adversary in this book. Your suggestion of Tatsumaki, which means ‘tornado’ and is also a respected Japanese name, was perfect. My pirate queen needed to be just like a tornado – to be able to appear out of nowhere, cause havoc and then disappear again into nothingness having taken what she needs, only leaving a legacy of confusion and emptiness.

Noah Benoit, long-time fan of the series, needs to be thanked for suggesting that Jack should have a female enemy character at some point. I hope Tatsumaki lived up to your expectations!