The Heart of Hyacinth: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Heart of Hyacinth: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Heart of Hyacinth is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Watanna, Onoto (1875–1954).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Heart of Hyacinth" by Onoto Watanna is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of Japan, particularly in the beautiful region of Sendai and the picturesque Matsushima Bay, the narrative intertwines themes of cultural identity, personal struggle, and the complexities of cross-cultural relationships. The story begins with Madame Aoi, a Japanese woman who raises her mixed-race son, Komazawa, and their adopted child, Hyacinth, against a backdrop of sociopolitical changes and the influence of Western culture. The opening portion of the book introduces Aoi's life with her son Komazawa and the adopted girl Hyacinth, revealing their daily existence and the challenges they face. Tragedy strikes when Aoi’s English husband dies, leaving her to navigate her identity as a mother and wife in a transforming society. As Komazawa grows, he grapples with his dual heritage, while Hyacinth, who struggles with her own identity, appears to blend the two cultures. Their lives begin to interweave with the arrival of outsiders, setting the stage for tensions that come from cultural differences and expectations. Through poignant illustrations of their relationships, Watanna captures the essence of longing and belonging in an ever-evolving world.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Heart of Hyacinth
- Author credits: Watanna, Onoto (1875–1954)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Americans -- Japan -- Fiction
- Bildungsromans
- Japan -- Fiction
- Love stories
- Race relations -- Fiction
- Young women -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


