The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice

Thirteen-year-old Kiyoi, an apprentice to the famous cartoonist, Noro Shinpei, tries to develop his talent and become self-reliant, in this novel based upon the author's own boyhood in Japan.

In the bustling world of post-war Tokyo, a young boy’s dream is about to be tested. Can he find his own voice when everyone is telling him who he should be?

Master and Apprentice: Step into the studio of the eccentric and brilliant cartoonist Noro Shinpei, a mentor who teaches his young pupil Sei that the most important lesson is that to draw is to discover. An Artist’s Journey: Alongside his fellow apprentice, the troubled and talented Tokida, Sei navigates the challenges of friendship, rivalry, and finding his own unique style. A Vivid Historical Setting: Explore the streets of post-war Tokyo, a city of bustling train stations, noisy movie theaters, and bombed-out ruins, all seen through the eyes of a boy learning to be self-reliant. Autobiographical Fiction: A heartfelt and personal story drawn from the author’s own experiences, offering an authentic glimpse into the life of a young artist who would grow up to become a celebrated creator.