Daughters of Nijo: A Romance of Japan

by Onoto Watanna

"Daughters of Nijo: A Romance of Japan" by Onoto Watanna is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. This work delves into the entwined lives of its characters against the backdrop of Japanese nobility during a time of political and social change. Central to the narrative are two women from vastly different backgrounds: the lowly farmer’s daughter, Ohano, whose life is upturned by her kidnapping and forced into a life at the court, and the noble Princess Sado-ko, whose innocence and sheltered upbringing contrast sharply with the intrigues around her. The beginning of the novel introduces Yamada Kwacho, a humble farmer known for saving the life of a local lord, and his young bride, Ohano. As Kwacho is called away on a mission, Ohano, yearning for excitement, ventures to see a royal parade but is kidnapped by a prince. This incident triggers a series of events intertwining her fate with that of the Prince of Nijo, while simultaneously setting the stage for Sado-ko's life within the royal court. The narrative begins to beautifully highlight themes of love, ambition, and the collision of simple agrarian lives with the complexities of aristocratic existence, hinting at the dramatic developments to come.