In 1912 Tokyo, the old world of the aristocracy is beginning to crumble, challenged by the rise of powerful, ambitious outsiders. Caught in this shifting landscape are two young men—Shigekuni Honda, an aspiring lawyer, and his childhood friend, Kiyoaki Matsugae, the heir to a prestigious but fading family.
Kiyoaki is tormented by his feelings for Ayakura Satoko, a spirited young woman from a noble lineage. He resents her, desires her, and refuses to admit the depth of his passion—until it’s too late. When Satoko becomes engaged to a royal prince, Kiyoaki is forced to confront his love in a tragic, inevitable affair that will shape his destiny.
A masterpiece of Japanese literature, Spring Snow is the breathtaking first novel in Yukio Mishima’s Sea of Fertility tetralogy.
