I just finished the most amazing memoir, Sword and Blossom by Peter Pagnamenta and Momoko Williams. I sort of hate saying this--although it is nonfiction, it reads like a novel. Why should nonfiction need to read like a novel to be good? But the story of a British officer and a Japanese woman, in the hands of Pagnamenta and Williams, chock full of historical details is anything but dry. It is the story of their love affair set against the backdrop of an increasingly turbulent world.
Arthur Hart-Synnot was born into an Anglo-Irish military family. He took up the reins and was set to become another in a long line of career soldiers. In 1904 he was sent to Japan to learn the language, but he fell in love not only with the country but with Masa Suzuki. They eventually would live together for the duration of his posting in Tokyo, but Masa was more than a "temporary wife" to Arthur. He declared his love to her and vowed they would eventually always be together. After his Tokyo posting he was sent to Hong Kong where their relationship became more problematic. Masa would spend part of the year with Arthur in Hong Kong, in the house he built for them reminiscent of their former home in Japan. His hopes for another posting in Japan were not realized. Instead he was sent to India and Burma, where he decided to complete his posting, retire and return to Masa in Japan.
"When I think about you I want to leave the army immediately. It may be the right thing to do. I cannot bear living with the regiment any longer as I hate it so much. I cannot stand it. To tell you the truth I am tired of the army. We could live happily on my pension. When I think about it, I am wasting my time in the army. As I have given 23 years to the country, I think I have done enough. Darling, I feel as though I am in a desert when you are not with me. If I am with you it will be paradise, wherever it is." (This letter was written when Arthur was posted in Shwebo, Burma).
Unfortunately World War I was to interrupt his plans. Arthur and Masa's relationship would now be affected and shaped by world and natural events that were out of their hands.
There is so much of interest in this book (both Arthur and Masa's story but historically as well) and I have only touched on the very tip of the iceberg, but I hate to give away anymore details. Arthur and Masa exchanged more than 800 letters, which I find absolutely amazing in this day and age, where I wonder if anyone writes letters anymore. Written in Japanese on paper that would be wound in scrolls the letters were often many feet long and might contain pressed flowers. There were times it would take months for their correspondence to reach each other. Honestly the book was quite heart wrenching at times--for a variety of reasons. Sometimes outside events shape our lives in ways we don't necessarily want them to, and we have to make the best of it. If you want to know more about Arthur and Masa and how their story ends, you'll have to read the book. This is definitely one of the best books I have read this year!
Peter Pagnamenta is a writer and makes documentaries for the BBC. Momoko Williams has coordinated and produced programs both in Japan and England. Both have a special interest in Japan. It is perhaps due to their work in television that has given their writing a particularly vivid sense. The story is excellently told. You can read the Guardian's review of the book here, which gives a more detailed description of the lives of Arthur and Masa. Peter Pagnamenta writes about the process of bringing Masa and Arthur's story to life here. Finally, thanks to Jenclair for this link to an interview with Momoko Williams.