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The Old Capital (translated from Koto,
English spelling
Kyoto) is a novel by
Yasunari Kawabata originally published in
1962. It was first translated into
English in
1987 by
J. Martin Holman.
Chieko Saga in the daughter of Takichiro and Shige, who operate a
kimono manufacture business in Kyoto. Now twenty, Chieko has known for
years that she was a
foundling adopted by Takichiro and Shige. Soon after a chance
encounter at
Yasaka shrine, Chieko learns of a twin sister Naeko raised by her
natural parents. She also learns that she was not abandoned; she was
stolen from her real parents. Naeko lives on her own in
Kitayama on the fringe of village society. The identical looks of
Chieko and Naeko confuse Hideo, a potential suitor whose marriage to
Chieko would result is a business alliance between their families. When
the truth is discovered, though, the youths realize that it's more
important for them to marry for love rather than for business -- as Naeko
and Hideo will.
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