Ariyoshi, Sawako (1931–1984)

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Ariyoshi, Sawako (1931–1984)

Japanese author. Born Sawako Ariyoshi, Jan 20, 1931, in Wakayama City, Japan; died Aug 30, 1984, in Tokyo, Japan; dau. of Shinji and Akitsu; educated at Tokoyo Christian Women's University; m. Jin Akira (director), Mar 1963 (div. 1964); children: daughter, Tamao (b. Nov 1963).

Began career working for Kabuki theater companies and publications (1952); published 1st short story (1955); earned numerous prizes for short stories and plays; published 1st novel Kinokawa (The River Ki, 1959), one of her best known; released most of her novels 1st in serial form in popular Japanese magazines, often running over a 6-month period; published Kōkotsu no hito (The Twilight Years, 1972), which sold more than one million copies, followed by a serialization that became the novel Fukugo osen (Compound Pollution); works, including more than 35 nonfiction, fiction, and dramatic volumes, have been translated into 12 languages.