Abstract

A story of rebirth for a broken young heart that begins at a somewhat unusual, rather bitter wake
The scent of incense, the chanting of sutras, the rhythmic banging of the ceremonial wooden fish, and the weeping all filled the air. Among the mourners was a curious old woman. She walks from wake to wake, consoling the bereaved. She calls herself the Wake Woman. Sayoko joins her at a number of funeral services, finding solace when the sadness of the grieving attendees fills the air. But gradually, visiting wakes becomes an addiction and Sayoko starts searching night after night for a new one to drop in on.
At a wake, Sayoko hears personal stories about the departed and sees the bereaved in a new light. She also finds self-reflection and ponders her own future.

Author’s Information

Born in Tokyo. Won the 32nd Kido Award for her movie script Mikazuki Yorubanashi (Crescent Moon Night Story). Her scenario Tsuyame (The Wake Woman) won the Grand Prix at the 12th Hakodate Harbor Illumination Film Festival . Her television drama debut Neko-ben: Shitai no Minoshirokin (Cat Talk: Ransom for a Corpse) won the 3rd TBS Kodansha Drama Prize for an Original Work . In addition to the Neko-ben and Azukariya-san (The Custodian) series, work includes Yuki Neko (Snow Cat), Iiyo-kun no Kekkon Seikatsu (Iiyo-kun's Married Life), The Cat in Their Arms , and Akai Kutsu (Red Shoes).