It is 1948. Japan is rebuilding her cities after the calamity of World War II, her people putting defeat behind them and looking to the future. The celebrated painter Masuji Ono fills his days attending to his garden, his house repairs, his two grown daughters and his grandson, and his evenings drinking with old associates in quiet Iantern-lit bars. His should be a tranquil retirement. But as his memories continually return to the past - to a life and a career deeply touched by the rise of Japanese militarism - a dark shadow begins to grow over his serenity.

An interesting, slow-paced novel of a man looking back and analysing various elements of his life as Japan changes direction after the second world war and attitudes change on a whole variety of issues.

Very well written as usual, definitely a lyrical read rather than a page-turner.

Back to me for inclusion in a virtual bookbox for fiction by Japanese authors translated into English.

This was left over from the bookbox, so I am Passing it on to a work colleague


If you have found this book I hope you enjoy it. You might like to write a little about what you thought about it by making a Journal Entry and then pass it on, or leave for some other lucky reader to find…. If you make release notes then previous readers can get to know where you left it. Register with bookcrossing and then you can follow its journey…..