MIURA AYAKO

(1922–1999)

Miura, nee Hotta, Ayako was a female novelist made famous by her work Hyoten (1964; tr. Freezing Point, 1986). Miura was born in Hokkaido, and, despite pressure to move to Tokyo, she remained there permanently, teaching elementary school for many years and setting many of her novels there, including Shiokari toge (1968; tr. Shiokari Pass, 1976). Much of her writing also displays a marked Christian influence. Her conversion to Christianity in 1952 greatly changed the nihilist views she had adopted after World War II and during the 13 years confined to bed by illness. Many of Miura’s subsequent works became bestsellers and were remade as films or television dramas.