Born into the post-war American Occupation of Japan, Nobuko Kanasaka (née Fujimoto) emerged as a woman of her time, both tempered and inspired by the vicissitudes and challenges of occupation life (up to 1952), followed by the hazards of the early post-occupation growth of the economy, the 'miracle' years and finally the 'post-bubble' years. This illustrated volume comprising over 400 photographs and illustrations, tracks both Nobuko's life experiences from early childhood and celebrates her achievements as an amateur artist, calligrapher and writer - allowing us insights into aspects of everyday life in Japan during this highly significant period in Japanese history. It is, therefore, both a book of reference for a readership wishing to access a personal history of another culture and a tribute to a life well lived and loved, Nobuko having travelled much of the world thanks to her scholar husband's interests as one of Japan's leading geographers and a specialist in the writings and travels of Isabella Bird.