Not many people know that the fifteen shoguns had a harem much like a middle eastern seraglio (and, if truth be told, so did the emperors up until Hirohito).  The words every young woman in the shogun’s harem hoped to hear were ‘What is her name?’ - the code to indicate that the shogun wanted to spend the night with her.  For more - much more - look out for my article in the Sunday Times Magazine on February 17th. 

The Last Concubine is out now.

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The Last Concubine tour dates 2008

Wednesday March 19th
6.45 pm
Asia House
63 New Cavendish Street, London
www.AsiaHouse.org
Illustrated lecture on The Last Concubine: Secrets of the Women’s Palace
This is a joint lecture with the Japan Society and Asia House. See also http://www.japansociety.org.uk/events/080319_combined_lecture.html
Asia House members and concessions £5, Non-members £8

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Thursday March 27th
7.30 pm
Japan Society Southern Counties
Physic Garden Hall,
Petersfield, Hampshire
For further details please visit: www.jssc.org.uk
Illustrated lecture on The Last Concubine: Secrets of the Women’s Palace

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Thursday April 3rd
4.30 pm
Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival
Christ Church College, Oxford
For further details please visit: www.SundayTimes-OxfordLiteraryFestival.co.uk
Event with Ellis Avery (author of The Tea House Fire, published by Vintage)

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Wednesday 16th July
11.30am
Dartington Ways with Words Festival, Devon
For further details please visit: www.WayswithWords.co.uk
Illustrated lecture on The Last Concubine: Secrets of the Women’s Palace

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Watch this space!