Kniga izdana v dvukh tomakh (pod odnoi oblozhkoi). Pervyi tom nachinaetsia v 1905 godu, so vstrechi so shtabs-kapitanom Rybnikovym, znakomym nam po povesti Kuprina. Russko-iaponskaia voina, v Rossii vesma uspeshno rabotaet set iaponskikh agentov, no na puti u nikh vstaet opytnyi i umudrennyi godami erast Petrovich Fandorin. Vtoroi tom perenosit nas v Iaponiiu 1878 goda: nindzia, geishi, samurai... eto istoriia liubvi molodogo diplomata erasta Fandorina i rokovoi krasavitcy-nindzia O-Iumi, liubvi, izmenivshei vsiu ego zhizn i napomnivshei emu o sebe cherez mnogie gody... Vremia deistviia - 1905 i 1878 gody. erastu Petrovichu Fandorinu - 49 i 22 goda. Predydushchaia kniga - "Liubovnik smerti". Sleduiushchaia kniga - "Nefritovye chetki".