Ton Satomi

Ton Satomi (里見 弴) is the pen-name for a Japanese author known for the craftsmanship of his dialogue and command of the Japanese language. His two elder brothers, Ikuma Arishima (有島生馬) and Takeo Arishima (有島 武郎), were also authors. His real name was Hideo Yamanouchi.

Early life
Satomi Ton was born in Yokohama into the wealthy Arishima family, but was later legally adopted by his mother's family, thus inheriting their surname of Yamanouchi. He was educated at the Gakushuin Peers' School, where he became interested in literature, and briefly attended Tokyo Imperial University, but left in 1910 without graduating.

Literary career
Through his brother Ikuma Arishima, he became acquainted with other alumni authors from Gakushuin, including Naoya Shiga and Saneatsu Mushanokōji. They formed a group named after their literary magazine Shirakaba ("White Birch"), which was first published in 1911. Satomi became a disciple of Kyōka Izumi after his works came to the attention of the older novelist.

Satomi strove to remain aloof from any particular literary clique or political school throughout his career. He was a prolific author known for his autobiographical works and promotion of purely literary values. In the West he is largely known for Tsubaki ("Camellia"), a disturbing short story written after the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, which came a few months after the suicide of his brother Takeo Arishima.

In 1959, Satomi received the Order of Culture from the Japanese government.

He lived in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture from 1924 until his death, and often socialized with the other literati residing in that city. With the establishment of the Shochiku movie studios in Ofuna, north of Kamakura, he also collaborated with film director Yasujirō Ozu on numerous movie scripts.

His grave is located at the Kamakura Reien Public Cemetery.

Trivia
Satomi claimed that he decided on his pen-name by picking out names at random from a telephone directory.

Major works

 * Zen Shin Aku Shin ("Good Heart Evil Heart")
 * Tajo Busshin ("The Compassion of Buddha", 1922-1923)
 * Anjo Ke no Kyodai ("The Anjo Brothers")
 * Gokuraku Tombo ("A Carefree Fellow", 1961)