The Jade Apricot

A romance novel written by Nishikawa Sakiko, a high-ranking noblewoman living in the Kiri Clan's capital of Younashi in the mid-3rd Cycle. This 1,400-page epic follows the story of two young nobles, Aki and Seta, as they court each other over the course of literal decades. The two send haikus and gifts to each other (including a jade apricot), never communicating directly to each other and relying on numerous servants to send messages between each other. The ending is controversial among readers: after finally consummating their relationship Aki dies in a magical duel and Seta exiles herself to the Way of the Range to bury her grief.
For centuries this was one of the most popular book in all the royal chambers of the Northern Territories, its author's identity kept a mystery as many of the early editions were published anonymously. It wasn't until the Siege of Younashi in 908, 4th Cycle, during the Oda-Kiri War that evidence was uncovered in the Orange Palace revealing Nishikawa as the book's author. In addition to providing full credit to the author, recent editions of The Jade Apricot also include enchantments to prevent impatient readers from skipping to the book's ending to see how Aki and Seta's relationship turns out.

Type

Text, Literary (Novel/Poetry)

Authoring Date

1400's, 3rd Cycle