The Name of the Flower (1994)

by Kuniko Mukoda

There is a fairly silly blurb on the cover of this book taken from a Publisher's Weekly review that Kuniko Mukoda's stories "mix Eastern tradition with Western values."

Kuniko Mukoda

 Another reviewer has stated that this short story collection will demonstrate how little Westerners understand Japanese society.

 

I couldn't disagree more. The late Mukoda wrote closely observed stories about domestic dilemmas set in Japan of the 60s and 70s. Although there are naturally references to Japanese traditions and cultural practices, I did not find them a barrier to understanding--and I don't think that's just because I have some familiarity with the country. Mukoda's characters are typically experiencing a crisis in their family life that is illuminated or complicated by memories of past events. These characters, their emotions, and their struggles are very recognizable to Western readers, not because Mukoda wrote about "Western values" but because she is a talented observer of human nature, which is essentially the same everywhere.