Her father was Japan’s most successful international movie star, and a colleague of Charlie Chaplin’s during the silent film era. Reiko trained as an actress herself, but later developed a career as an artist and singer. Her intimate story vividly illustrates the pressures faced by an international family in everyday life. Her fierce pride in the strength of family, coupled with a determination to achieve perfection in everything she did reflects the best of Japanese culture.

Reiko’s husband Robert was a senior executive in New Zealand’s motor industry, and made a total of 93 visits to Japan in that capacity. They were married for 24 years until Reiko’s untimely death from leukemia in May 2000. This is the story of a woman of great character and indomitable spirit, who succeeded in building a new life in a new country, despite seemingly overwhelming difficulties. It is also a love story about two people from vastly different cultures who were determined to succeed together.

Non-fiction (cross-cultural memoir) with color and B/W illust