About the Author

Sawako Ariyoshi was born in 1931 in Wakayama City. As a student she developed a deep interest in the theater, both modern drama and traditional Kabuki, and her own plays are widely performed in Japan. Many of her novels have also been adapted for the stage, the cinema, and television.

Ariyoshi first rose to prominence in the 1950s as a writer of short stories, but has since built an impressive reputation as a novelist dealing with crucial social issues. Among her themes have been the problems faced by women in the traditional Japanese household (Hanaoka seishu no tsuma, 1967, translated as "The Doctor's Wife"), racial segregation in the United States (Hishoku, 1964), and environmental pollution (Fukugo-osen, 1975). Her Kokotsu no hito (The Twilight Years) was published in 1972 and sold over a million copies in less than a year.

Translations of her books have appeared throughout the world and include a French translation of The Doctor's Wife, which was a bestseller in France in 1981; The River Ki; The Twilight Years; Her Highness Princess Kazu, awarded the prestigious Mainichi Cultural Prize in 1979; and Kabuki Dancer.

Ariyoshi died in 1984.

Reviews

"A deft and subtle writer" --The New York Times
"A beautiful book ... by a perceptive observer." --Donald Richie, Japan Times
"A story rich in detail, and characters affectionately depicted with humor and pathos." --Best Sellers
"A vivid portrait of a family in a changing society." --Observer
"A powerful novel written with convincing realism." --Japan Quarterly
..". like The Doctors's Wife, examines with compassion the tensions and satisfactions of women in traditional Japan." --J. Thomas Rimer, A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature


"A deft and subtle writer" -The New York Times
"A beautiful book ... by a perceptive observer." -Donald Richie, Japan Times
"A story rich in detail, and characters affectionately depicted with humor and pathos." -Best Sellers
"A vivid portrait of a family in a changing society." -Observer
"A powerful novel written with convincing realism." -Japan Quarterly
..". like The Doctors's Wife, examines with compassion the tensions and satisfactions of women in traditional Japan." -J. Thomas Rimer, A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature


"A deft and subtle writer" -The New York Times
"A beautiful book ... by a perceptive observer." -Donald Richie, Japan Times
"A story rich in detail, and characters affectionately depicted with humor and pathos." -Best Sellers
"A vivid portrait of a family in a changing society." -Observer
"A powerful novel written with convincing realism." -Japan Quarterly
.,." like The Doctors's Wife, examines with compassion the tensions and satisfactions of women in traditional Japan." -J. Thomas Rimer, A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature


"A deft and subtle writer" -The New York Times
"A beautiful book ... by a perceptive observer." -Donald Richie, Japan Times
"A story rich in detail, and characters affectionately depicted with humor and pathos." -Best Sellers
"A vivid portrait of a family in a changing society." -Observer
"A powerful novel written with convincing realism." -Japan Quarterly
, .." like The Doctors's Wife, examines with compassion the tensions and satisfactions of women in traditional Japan." -J. Thomas Rimer, A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature

"A deft and subtle writer" -The New York Times
"A beautiful book ... by a perceptive observer." -Donald Richie, Japan Times
"A story rich in detail, and characters affectionately depicted with humor and pathos." -Best Sellers
"A vivid portrait of a family in a changing society." -Observer
"A powerful novel written with convincing realism." -Japan Quarterly
.,." like The Doctors's Wife, examines with compassion the tensions and satisfactions of women in traditional Japan." -J. Thomas Rimer, A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature