Sachiko

Sachiko is the second oldest of the four Makioka sisters, all daughters of a successful merchant family in the Japanese city of Osaka. She lives in a suburb of Osaka called Ashiya with her husband, Teinosuke, and their daughter, Etsuko. Although her older sister and her husband are the official heads of the Makioka family, Sachiko plays a central role in the decision making. The two younger unmarried sisters prefer to live with her rather than with the oldest sister, as tradition would dictate.

Sachiko is in her mid 30s at the time of the novel, but looks much younger. She is lively and outgoing and a good conversationalist. She speaks with an Osaka dialect, but is also familiar with the Tokyo dialect. She understands simple English and a few words in German. She has had musical training and enjoys playing.

Sachiko is close to her husband and...