Sayonara (1954) is a novel published by American author James A. Michener. Set during the early 1950s, it tells the story of Major Gruver, a soldier stationed in Japan, who falls in love with Hana-Ogi, a Japanese woman. The novel follows their cross-cultural Japanese romance and illuminates the racism of the post-World War II time period.

Adaptations

Sayonara was made into a film of the same name, released in 1957; it was directed by Joshua Logan and featured Marlon Brando and Miiko Taka as Major Gruver and Hana-ogi, respectively. Miyoshi Umeki won an Academy Award in 1958 for her portrayal of Katsumi in that film. In addition, the novel was adapted by William Luce into a musical of the same name, premiering at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 1987. It starred Richard White as Gruver and June Angela as Hana-ogi. Writing for The New York Times, Alvin Klein called it "purely and purposefully sumptuous ... a spectacle with a soul."