The Street of a Thousand Blossoms

I finally got around to reading my advanced copy of Gail Tsukiyama's The Street of a Thousand Blossoms, which was just released earlier this month. This lovely book takes place in Japan and follows two brothers, Hiroshi and Kenji Matsumoto, from boyhood into adulthood, spanning the years 1939-1966. Orphaned when they are young, the boys are raised by their grandparents. As teenagers, Hiroshi shows promise at sumo wrestling, while Kenji takes an interest in creating masks for the Noh theater. However, both are put on hold after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The hardships and devestation caused by the war make survival their only priority. Once the war is over, Hiroshi and Kenji resume efforts of achieving their dreams. Both find success in their careers, but suffer loss in love. This is a touching story of family, love, loss and resilience. Tsukiyama creates wonderful characters, not just in Hiroshi and Kenji, but in their grandparents, their senseis, and the women they love. The vivid descriptions of Japanese life, especially the sumo wrestling and the Noh theater, are exceptional and Tsukiyama deftly portrays the lasting effects of war on people's lives.