The daughter of a Buddhist priest, Tsuneno was born in a rural Japanese village and was expected to live a traditional life much like her mother’s. But after three divorces—and a temperament much too strong-willed for her family’s approval—she ran away to make a life for herself in one of the largest cities in the world: Edo, a bustling metropolis at its peak.

With Tsuneno as our guide, we experience the drama and excitement of Edo just prior to the arrival of American Commodore Perry’s fleet, which transformed Japan. During this pivotal moment in Japanese history, Tsuneno bounces from tenement to tenement, marries a masterless samurai, and eventually enters the service of a famous city magistrate. Tsuneno’s life provides a window into 19th-century Japanese culture—and a rare view of an extraordinary woman who sacrificed her family and her reputation to make a new life for herself, in defiance of social conventions.
 

When ordering books, we encourage our members to support local business if convenient. Thanks to Rob Rosen (AB ’74, JD ’79), we have secured a 20% discount on book club readings with Books & Books by utilizing the "HARVARD" promo code. You can order the hardcover or eBook editions from Books and Books HERE.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please reach out directly to our committee chair Jason Wong AB'10