The Makioka Sisters (Vintage Classics Japanese Series)

Set in the years before the Second World War, this novel follows four sisters from the declining Makioka family as they navigate personal struggles and societal changes in Osaka and Ashiya. Each sister grapples with her own expectations, desires, and the pressures of tradition while dealing with the family's fading reputation. The story provides a detailed portrayal of their lives, relationships, and the cultural backdrop of a Japan on the brink of modernity.