Heartfelt praise for Sawada Hitomi and Azuma Erika! Shimbashi geisha O-koi was famous in the world of Kabuki, sumo, and the entertainment district, and was even beloved by the prime minister of the time. Okuyama Keiko’s masterpiece novel, “Purple Carp,” depicts a woman who survived a turbulent era, and is now available from Tokuma Shoten!
Tokuma Shoten Press release: October 30, 2025 To Members of the Press Heartfelt praise for Hitomi Sawada and Erika Azuma! O-Koi, a Shimbashi geisha who made a name for herself in the world of Kabuki, sumo, and entertainment, and was even beloved by the prime minister of the time. Okuyama Keiko’s masterpiece novel “Purple Carp,” which depicts a woman who survived a turbulent era, is now available from Tokuma Shoten! Available in bookstores and online bookstores nationwide on Friday, October 31, 2025 Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hideyuki Komiya) has announced the release of Keiko Okuyama’s latest full-length novel, Purple Carp (https://www.tokuma.jp/book/b669758.html
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16935/932/16935-932-6e8fc9c2fdc2653023ea36abce3fa9b9-1762×2588.jpg “Purple Carp” (Keibuko Okuyama/author) ■Synopsis “Kill Okoi!” Okoi, a geisha from Shinbashi, was hailed as Tokyo’s most famous courtesan and beloved by prominent politicians and kabuki actors. After living in the world of Kabuki, sumo, and the entertainment district, Okoi became the mistress of Prime Minister Katsura Taro through the arrangement of Yamagata Aritomo, and led a turbulent life. In the midst of the Russo-Japanese War, she continued to support Katsura in place of his sickly wife, but she faced strong public criticism. Then the Hibiya Riots occurred, and it was discovered that Katsura had two
unacknowledged daughters. This is the story of Okoi, who survived the turbulent times of the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. ■Recommendation comment
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16935/932/16935-932-2726853a93c4abaa0872def143ae2c97-1764×827.jpg From obi table 1 ■Author’s comment “I was the prime minister’s mistress. Before that, I was the wife of a Kabuki actor.” –If a woman were to speak out today with these words in mind, especially if she stood in court in a political scandal, I’m sure she would face serious trouble. Her existence might even be denied. But she certainly existed. As a woman, as a person, she lived through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras with a wavering heart. I want to bring her words back to life. I want to find out what she really thinks and let her speak. I wrote this story with that single purpose in mind. I would be happy if it reaches many people. ■Author profile Okuyama Kyoko Born in 1966. Originally from Aichi Prefecture. Completed doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Letters, Nagoya University. Doctor of Literature. After working as a high school teacher and university lecturer, she made her debut in 2007 with “Heike Kani Ibun,” which won the 87th All-Readers Newcomer Award. She also won the 37th Nitta Jiro Literary Award and the 8th Booksellers’ Choice Historical Novel Grand Prize for “Aoi no Zanba.” He received the Aichi Prefectural Arts and Culture Encouragement Cultural Newcomer Award in 2017. His works include the “Yose Shinagawa Seisutei” series, “Encho,” “Yawahada Kurabe,” “Aoi no Shizuku,” and “Wandering Middle General,” as well as the anthology “Teshigoto.” ■Bibliographic information
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16935/932/16935-932-fff180f8809846eaeccb8fc7b00743ed-1762×2588.jpg Cover illustration (print) by Torii Kotohito “Nagajuban” (C) Gekigado Co., Ltd. Title: Purple Carp Author: Keiko Okuyama Price: 2,090 yen (tax included) Format: 46-size paperback Number of pages: 368 Release date: Friday, October 31, 2025 ISBN: 978-4-19-866073-4 [Tokuma Shoten]https://www.tokuma.jp/book/b669758.html
[Amazon]https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4198660735/ ●This book is a new work. ■Special release of the prologue of this book You can read the prologue of this book on this page. Please give it a try. ■Contact for media inquiries regarding this matter [Tokuma Shoten PR Contact] C-Publishing Services Co., Ltd., Public Relations Department pr★c-pub.co.jp (Please convert ★ to @ before sending) For more information about this release