The River Ki – Sawako Ariyoshi
The River Ki by Sawako Ariyoshi
This enchanting book traces the life of Hana, respectable eldest daughter of the Matani family through her marriage into the Kimoto family and the growth of her family. The concept of marrying into another family is still strong in Japan and historically speaking this is a key point to understanding the traditional role of women in society. This, and the relationship of Hana to her mother-in-law and her quest to gain acceptance as a Matani provide the main drive of the novel. Her relationship with her grandmother, and of her daughter with her are telling in terms of the shifts in the way of thinking that occurred within certain sections of society during this period. At the same time, historical and political events drum an incisive counterpoint to her life.
Hana was educated at Wakayama Girls High School during a period when it would have been rare for a woman, even from a wealthy, well-connected family to receive an education; particularly an education outside of the sphere of the Buddhist temple system.
Starting out during the Meiji period, this novel deals with the changes that take place in Japanese society up till just after the second world war.
I would heartily recommend this novel, for the historical insight it gives into pre-WWII Japanese life, but more importantly as a great read.
# Paperback: 243 pages
# Publisher: Kodansha America (July 30, 2004)
# Language: English
# ISBN: 4770030002
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