 The book is divided into five parts, called "rings," as an apparent homage to Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings.It is initially set in Japan following the end of World War II and follows the story of Lustbader's hero Nicholas Linnear, a man raised by Anglo-Chinese parents.As a youth, Linnear is introduced to the world of "aikido", "kenjutsu", and "iai-jutsu" at a local "dojo" of the Itto Ryu also attended by his cruel and violent older cousin Saigō.