Tokyo, 1912. The closed world of Japan’s aristocracy is breached for the first time. Kiyoaki has been raised among the elegant Ayakura family – members of the waning aristocracy – but he is not one of them. Coming of age, he is caught up in the tensions between old and new, and his feelings for the exquisite, spirited Satoko. His devoted friend Honda watches from the sidelines. It is only when Satoko becomes engaged to a royal prince that Kiyoaki realises the magnitude of his passion. ‘An austere love story, probably my favourite of his novels’ David Mitchel VINTAGE JAPANESE CLASSICS - nine masterpieces of Japanese fiction in gorgeous new gift editions. TRANSLATED BY MICHAEL GALLAGHER