Violence
Readers of Black Samurai will recognize violence as one of the book's most prominent themes. Olden introduces the pervasive theme in the first paragraphs as Colonel Tolstoy, grenades strapped to his torso and killer dogs at his command, launches a gory nighttime raid on the samurai houses of Master Konuma. To counter Tolstoy's destructive potential, Sand fights the terrorist's brute violence with more cunning forms of violence, carried out in service of a just cause and used to incapacitate those who pose a threat to the public. Far more lethal than Tolstoy's weaponry, Sand's violence draws on the traditions of martial arts and is fueled by his obligation to defend the defenseless. Ultimately, Sand's sophisticated, righteous violence wins out over Tolstoy's modern instruments of war.
Terrorism
Terrorism—defined as intimidation and violence used against civilians to achieve political aims—is another major theme in Black Samurai. The theme arises in the first chapter when the narrator comments on Colonel Tolstoy's bloodthirsty desire to get revenge against the United States for attempting to punish him for his war crimes in Vietnam. Rather than accept that his actions were immoral, Tolstoy doubles down by planning to replicate the My Lai massacre within the US. To carry out his goal, Tolstoy recruits an international band of extrajudicial killers drawn from China, Vietnam, Ireland, Palestine, Korea, and the US. To give the terrorist characters more depth, Olden shows how each person in Tolstoy's crew bears a grudge against America because of injustices they have suffered at its hands. However, the terrorists' would-be righteous motivations look hollow when contrasted with Sand's morality. Despite having suffered similar injustices to the terrorists, Sand uses his anger as a motivation to make the world a safer place.
Revenge
Revenge is another key theme in the novel. The desire to inflict punishment on someone for a wrong or criminal act, revenge first enters the story when the narrator comments on Tolstoy's plan to get revenge against the US for trying to hold him accountable for the My Lai massacre. To show the hypocritical politicians that they do not understand the reality of war, Tolstoy wants to massacre an American town of innocent civilians, bringing the Vietnam War to the backyards of everyday Americans. Sand, despite being on the good side of the conflict, is also motivated by revenge. As Konuma dies in his arms, Sand vows to avenge his master's death and remove Tolstoy from the world. Whenever Sand falters, exhausted and injured from his various battles, he draws on his memory of Konuma dying and reignites his passion to take out Tolstoy and the threat he poses.
Resilience
Resilience—the ability to withstand or recover quickly from adversity—is a major theme in Black Samurai. Olden introduces the theme in the first chapters as Sand makes his escape from the burning samurai houses. Although he has suffered a cut to his abdomen, Sand pushes on, running and then riding into Tokyo to meet with Clarke. Sand's unbelievable resilience comes up repeatedly throughout the book as he takes out Tolstoy's men one by one. Sand is ultimately able to recover from his battle wounds so quickly because he has absorbed the teachings of Master Konuma, who instilled in him the principles of discipline and perseverance.
Valor
Defined as great courage in the face of danger, valor is one of the novel's most important themes. The theme first arises during Tolstoy's raid on the samurai houses of Master Konuma. As Tolstoy's ruthless terrorists attack the sleeping samurai with killer dogs, grenades, and automatic firearms, Sand and his samurai brothers calmly discuss how they should respond. Because Sand is the strongest warrior among them, the samurai decide he will leave the building to defend Master Konuma while Maka and Kuri exhibit their valor by giving up their lives to slow the raiders. Olden also addresses the theme directly during the first flashback to 1966: seeing an elderly man being harassed by American GIs, Sand risks his safety by intervening. The man turns out to be Master Konuma, and this courageous act leads Konuma to take Sand on as a student, believing he has the potential to be a great samurai. Sand goes on to display his valor throughout the novel as he steadily eliminates the threat posed by Tolstoy and his men, often single-handedly infiltrating Tolstoy's missions at great personal risk.
Deception
Deception is another crucial theme in the novel. Defined as the action of giving a mistaken impression in order to gain personal advantage, deception is a key intangible weapon in Sand's arsenal. The theme first arises when Clarke tests Sand's abilities by sending hired assailants into his room at night. Sand prepares for the assault by removing lightbulbs from their sockets and creating a decoy body out of pillows on his bed. While the attackers are distracted by the fake Sand, the real one launches his attack from the shadows. Sand also entraps Winters in Paris by having Mary pretend to be on her own on the street. Believing he has caught her, Winters moves forward, not suspecting Sand to appear beside him with a swift kick. Deception also comes up in the climactic scene of the book: when Tolstoy holds Toki hostage and beckons Sand to show himself, Sand sneaks under the plane Tolstoy stands on the edge of and launches a surprise attack from below. By the end of the book, it is clear that Sand's use of cunning to deceive and ensnare attackers is necessary to get the better of the well-resourced Tolstoy.
Service
Service—the act of assisting others—is another prominent theme in Black Samurai. The theme enters the story when Sand, Maka, and Kuri discuss how to deal with the raiders coming for their lives. Rather than flee into the forest, the samurai stay and fight, willingly giving up their lives in the hopes they might protect others by disarming the terrorists. Olden addresses the theme most directly when the narrator comments on Sand's relationship with Clarke, who hires Sand to carry out targeted assassinations and intimidations of corrupt and dangerous men. Konuma signs off on Sand's participation in the scheme because he knows Sand's training will have been useless if he doesn't use it in service of others. Ultimately, it is Sand's dedication to serving others that helps carry him through the grueling and life-threatening task of taking down Tolstoy.
