At the beginning of the 20th Century, Japan was undergoing a period of rapid modernisation and industrialisation, based largely on imported Western technologies, as it began to flex its military might. In order to foster a sense of national unity, the authorities cultivated the practice of Emperor worship, and set up a secret police force to root out any unpatriotic factions. A force that was not itself immune to scandal and corruption. Against this background, Peter K. Hall weaves a story of intrigue and suspense based on actual events, painting a vivid picture of life in Japan at this turbulent time. His hero, Inspector Shirakawa Takamori of the Thought Surveillance Police, finds himself caught up in a web of crimes and political scandals that threaten to bring down the government and test Shirakawa's devotion to the Emperor to the core.