Tuesday, November 11, 2025

The Cross at Morioka Castle Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Cross at Morioka Castle

Author: Kathleen J. Robison

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release Date: July 15, 2025

Within this ancient land of shoji screens and tatami mats, Ariko finds that the stone ruins of Morioka Castle hide a mysterious secret that holds the keys to a Christian faith extending far deeper than she ever imagined.

Ariko returns to Japan, riddled with guild. Engulfed with grief, she must tidy up her deceased father’s affairs, and she faces the shattering of a dream. Her father’s small soba shop, a haven where he shared his faith, stands silent, and his wealthy family has long since turned their back on his legacy of faith. Ariko struggles with whether to return to the United States when her great-grandmother demands that she stay in Japan and join the family business, a legacy her father abandoned years ago.

Seeking escape, Ariko ventures to the enigmatic ruins of Morioka Castle, where the air hums with murmurs of the forgotten past. Amid the crumbling stones and ancient shadows, providence brings a striking stranger, and he captivates her with a tale woven into the very fabric of the castle – a legend that flickers with the promise of hope, just in time for a fateful Christmas Eve.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen J. Robison weaves tales that inspire a walk of faith and a reliance on God’s guidance through life’s trials. With endearing characters, her stories are a testament to the resilience of broken lives, revived through hope and renewed through God’s grace. Kathleen and her husband call Southern California home, where they find joy in the company of their twenty-one and counting grandchildren.

More from Kathleen

Who doesn’t love castles, right? I fell in love with the ruins of Morioka Castle Park long before I wrote this novella. Both my sons and their families lived in Morioka when they first became missionaries, so we made trips to see the grandkids and a few trips to the castle ruins as well.

Morioka Castle in Northern Japan is a park of ruins, but what glorious ruins they are. In 1632, after twenty years of construction, the castle was completed by the Nanbu, a well-known Samurai clan. The castle stood from 1598 until 1874. Sadly, after serving feudal lords for two-hundred and fifty years, the age of the Samurai came to a close, and the magnificent structure was demolished. After the Boshin War, the Meiji government consolidated its power by abolishing domains and removing castles in lands that had opposed the government.

Thankfully, in 1906 a park was established around what was left of the granite walls and grounds of Morioka Castle. It’s where my character Ariko meets a handsome stranger and while touring the castle, learns of the legend of the cross.

“He explained the castle kitchen history, but his emphasis was on the cross. “The Castle Kitchen Cross, as I call it on my blog, is where an ex-samurai and his wife practiced their faith and shared it secretly with those who came to the kitchen. The cross carved in the stone, although obscured, was hidden behind pots and pans hanging on the wall.”

Ariko’s ears perked when he mentioned ex-samurai.”

The legend in the story is completely fictional. Although in my research, I discovered that there was a Christian Samurai who … well, if you read the book, perhaps you’ll discover what’s fact and what’s fiction! Just imagine walking the castle grounds with Ariko as she discovers the cross in the kitchen. What conflicts may it have caused in her ancestral, Japanese family? Let The Cross at Morioka Castle whisk you away. Take the journey to Japan, where the ethereal land of the ancient is not so far away.

MY REVIEW

A nice story that enhances the charm of Japan. I love the description of Japanese culture and how Ariko discovers her ancestors. Coming back to Japan was not easy for her, but I admire how she did it to honor her parents. When she stumbles upon a cross in a castle Ariko begins her journey. I love how the author shows readers that those who live in Japan hide their faith. Being a Christian is not accepted and Ariko soon realizes how hard it was for her parents to share God and stay safe.

I did not care for Ariko’s uncle at all. He is arrogant, greedy and forceful. He uses Ariko to gain power with no regard to her well being. He wants to profit from a family business and will do anything to succeed. We see how tradition is used as Ariko is silenced by her uncle. He only wants her to translate during a business meeting, but will not acknowledge her opinion.

Kai is a breath of fresh air to the story. He is kind, honest and treats others with respect. I like how he and Ariko start a friendship that develops over the course of the story. A misunderstanding will test their trust in each other. I like how Kai does not give up and relies on his faith for things to work out.

For me the best part of the story was hearing about the legend of the cross in the castle. It was not common to find Christians in Japan. Those that believe once had to hide their faith for fear of persecution. The cross that is discovered in the kitchen of the castle will bring a family close again and show how long ago God was shared even in secret places.

Ariko learns that her father shared his faith with others and was very well respected. He helped others and was not ashamed of God. He opened his business after hours to do Bible studies to anyone that wanted to join. His faith has not been wasted as Ariko begins to learn more about her father.

The ending is emotional and filled with how God can heal broken hearts, restore relationships and show forgiveness to others. I like the notes the author shares at the end of the book which gives us a glimpse of Christianity in Japan.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.