Miss Numè of Japan: A Japanese-American Romance

In a quiet valley near Tokyo, two prosperous families have long imagined a union between their children—Orito, a scholarly son destined for the Imperial University, and Numè, a bright‑hearted daughter of three years. Their fathers, Sachi and Omi, are fascinated by the recent arrival of American settlers, whose stories of a distant, “great” land stir both curiosity and ambition. When the foreigners depart, the idea of sending Orito abroad takes root, promising a broader education and a future that might honor the families’ hopes.

Orito, strikingly handsome and composed, carries the serene bearing of a samurai lineage as he prepares for his journey across the Pacific. Though his father’s plans are laid out with certainty, Orito’s own thoughts linger on Numè, whose gentle presence has always been a quiet promise. As he sets sail for America, the novel explores his inner conflict between duty, the allure of a new world, and the tender bond that awaits his return. The first act weaves cultural curiosity, familial expectation, and the flutter of young love, inviting listeners into a story that balances tradition with the promise of change.