更新日：2010年7月5日

Enchi Fumiko

Enchi Fumiko, novelist and playwright, was born in Tokyo in 1905. Her real name was Enchi Fumi. She dropped out of the high school attached to the Japan Women’s University, but as the second daughter of the classical scholar, Ueda Mannen, she received the benefit of personal tutoring in English, French and Chinese literature. From an early age, she was also strongly influenced by her grandmother in the Japanese classics such as "The Tale of Genji," and in the Kabuki and Bunraku theater.

Her first attempts at writing were for the theater: "Banshun Soya" (Noisy night in late spring) was performed at the Tsukiji Sho-gekijo (Tsukiji Small Theater). She later joined two literary coteries, Nichireki (Diary) and Jinmin Bunko (People’s library), and began to write fiction. But unlike her smooth debut as a playwright, she found it very hard to get her stories published. In 1953, her novel "Himojii Tsukihi" (Days of hunger) was received favorably and the following year she won the award of the Society of Women Writers. From this time she was able to get her novels published in quick succession and she enjoyed a place at the top of her profession with works like "Shu o Ubau Mono" (Capturing crimson), "Yo" (tr Enchantress), "Onna-zaka" (tr Enchantress), and "Namamiko Monogatari," a tale set in ancient times. She was able to create an image of sensuality with her deep understanding of the female heart and instinct, and she also shaped her own unique world of mystery and beauty through her deep knowledge of the classics.

In 1967 she began her translation of "The Tale of Genji" into modern Japanese, and despite frequent bouts of illness, she was able to publish all 10 volumes between 1972 and 73.

From March 1930, Enchi Fumiko spent the first eight months of marriage in Kamakura and throughout her life, she remained a frequent visitor to her father’s cottage in Zaimokuza.