In this debut novel, the Takayanagi family of art dealers have long been associated with the artist Yuichiro Kozu (1878-1953). Kozu's eye was uncompromising and clear, whatever the cost. Against the grain of Japanese art he painted from life, from observation rather than memory and imagination. He had no compunction in using people, whether servants or lovers, to set his scenes, no fear of dissection or execution. His paintings testify to a criminal...