As most of our fans know, we have published a seventh book in the Samurai Detective series even though our original publisher didn't want any more. The publisher never promoted or tried to sell the previous six books, anyway. Lately, we've been thinking about an eighth book, and the recent interest in the series by an indie movie producer only led us to think more seriously about number eight.
      We always start by looking for an idea that will form the basis of the new plot. Right now, we've been reading about Tsukahara Bokuden, a wandering swordsman who lived between 1490 and 1572. This was too early for Seikei to have met him, but we can create a character based on Bokuden who will be a contemporary of Seikei.
       These wandering swordsmen were ronin, or masterless samurai, who hired out their skills and services to people in need. They were similar to the hired guns of the Old West. Bokuden invented his own style of sword fighting, and became so well known that he was invited to teach his method to the shogun, a great honor.
       Bokuden had a son, who disappears from history, but there's no reason why he couldn't have a grandson or great-grandson. Now we have to figure out a way to have Seikei meet him. Let us know if you like the idea.