by Mary Beard
First published 1953
Mary Beard crafts a fictional exploration of women's influence throughout Japanese history. The narrative weaves together stories of female figures who shaped their society despite traditional constraints. Beard examines how women exercised power behind the scenes, from court ladies influencing political decisions to merchants' wives managing family enterprises. The book traces these patterns of female agency across different historical periods. Through interconnected stories, Beard reveals the complex ways women navigated and transformed Japanese culture. The work illuminates the gap between official histories and lived experiences, showing how women created their own spheres of influence within rigid social structures.
Genres: historical-fiction, gender-studies, feminism, 21st-century, japanese-literature, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: female-protagonist, historical-fiction
Setting: Japan
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century, 21st-Century
Hardcover · Public Affairs Pr