Takako AraiTakako Arai was born in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture to a family involved in textile manufacturing, a major industry in Kiryu. Her first book, Hao Bekki, was published in 1997, and Tamashi Dance, was published in 2007 and awarded he 41st Oguma Hideo Prize. She was a founding editor of the journal Shimensoka between 1992 and 1995, and since 1998 she has been the editor of Mi'Te. Arai currently teaches Japanese language to foreign students studying at the Center for International Exchange at Saitama University. Read More Read Less