Butterfly In The Wind

Sypnosis

This is the true story of the tragic life of Okichi Saito who became the pawn to
placate Townsend Harris, the first American Consul to Japan in the turbulent mid
1800's . This poignant story takes place during a period in history when the "Black Ships" arrived in Japan and changed many lives, especially those of Okichi and her fiancé and
lover, Tsurumatsu. Like a butterfly, Okichi was beautiful but fragile, easily
tossed about and bruised by the stronger forces of political wheeling and
dealing.

The story takes the readers on a journey from the wild windswept fishing village
of Shimoda to the colorful world of the geishas Okichi was literally sold into,
then onto the awesome stage of politics and power and finally to a lonely
outcast who walked into the  icy waters of the Shimoda Bay one cold grey March
morning….

A Review:

http://www.ustimesbestsellerlist.com's Rosalie Whitney says "...author and
journalist Rei Kimura has put yet another tear in the veil of mystery that still
surrounds early Japanese-American relations." She goes on to add, "Butterfly in
the Wind is a complex layering. The particular period of this
history - when the 'Black Ships' were arriving in Japan and causing upheaval in
so many lives - is excellently painted. This is a wrenching, beautifully written
story and one very worth reading."