The Old Capital, by Yasunari Kawabata

This is a joint meetup with the Japanese Langauge and Culture Meetup Group. You can RSVP through either Meetup page.

The Old Capital was one of three books cited by the Nobel Committee when it awarded Yasunari Kawabata the Nobel Prize in Litarature in 1968 "for his narrative mastery, which with great sensibility expresses the essence of the Japanese mind." To date, Kawabata is one of only two Japanese writers to win this award. Here is a summary of the novel taken from the Amazon website:

"With the ethereal tone and aesthetic styling characteristic of Kawabata's prose, The Old Capital tells the story of Chieko, the adopted daughter of a Kyoto kimono designer, Takichiro, and his wife, Shige. Set in the traditional city of Kyoto, Japan, this deeply poetic story revolves around Chieko who becomes bewildered and troubled as she discovers the true facets of her past. With the harmony and time-honored customs of a Japanese backdrop, the story becomes poignant as Chieko’s longing and confusion develops."

Three copies are available to borrow through the Indianapolis public library, if you would rather not buy a copy. Please post any questions you may have in the comments section.