Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965), widely considered one of Japan's finest modern authors, was born in the heart of Tokyo at a time when the city was just beginning to modernize. He studied Japanese literature at Tokyo Imperial University and entered the literary scene in 1910 with the much-lauded short story "The Tattoo." After the earthquake of 1923, he moved to the Kyoto-Osaka region, the setting for his later masterpiece, The Makioka Sisters. Many of his most important novels, stories, essays and translations were written after this move. He received the Order of Culture in 1949 and Japan's prestigious Tanizaki Prize is given in his name.

Michael P. Cronin is a translator, scholar of Japanese literature and cinema, and Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at The College of William & Mary. He is the translator of Junichiro Tanizaki's final novel, The Maids and the author of Osaka Modern.

John Einarsen's photography books include Kyoto: The Forest Within the Gate and Small Buildings of Kyoto vol. 1 & II. He is the founding editor and publisher of Kyoto Journal and has lived in Kyoto for over 40 years.