The Silver Drum: A Japanese Imperial Memoir

This is the story of a Japanese princess. It is the first autobiography by a member of the Japanese Imperial Family to be published in English.

Her name was Setsuko, Princess Chichibu, who was born in Walton-on-Thames, England, in 1909, was educated at the Peeresses' School for Girls, Tokyo, and the Friends School, Washington, and was then invited to marry Prince Chichibu, younger brother of Emperor Hirohito and therefore next in line to the throne.

She accepted, and although from a distinguished noble family in western Japan - the Matsudairas - she was technically a commoner because her father had earlier renounced his title and so she had to be 'adopted' by the Imperial Family. The marriage duly took place in September 1928. She died at the age of 85 in August 1995, the Prince having died prematurely of tuberculosis some forty years earlier.

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It is a remarkable 'fairy' story in so many respects, sadly set in the wrong epoch. Much more could have been said; and yet there is much that need not be said. There is certainly a great deal 'between the lines'. Both the Prince (who spent some time studying in London and Oxford) and Princess had especially close links with England and the United States. When Japan entered the Second World War they both had to endure the unendurable: their mother country having declared war on their adopted countries.

It was an appalling nightmare for them both. In the post-war years, the Princess made numerous trips to Europe in an attempt to rebuild old friendships. She was greatly loved and admired. There were no children.