The Temple of the Wild Geese & Bamboo Dolls of Echizen

Tsutomu Mizukami, who died in 2004, was a prolific writer who produced all manner of books—novels, detective stories, biographies, and plays. The Temple of Wild Geese is partly autobiographical; likeMizukami was, the protagonist is raised in a Buddhist temple, which results in dire consequences years later. In Bamboo Dolls of Echizen, artisan Kisuke marries prostitute Tamae, and both flourish. There you have it.The Los Angeles Timesnotes:

The Temple of the Wild GeeseBamboo Dolls of Echizen