Banana Yoshimoto

Banana Yoshimoto (born 1964; originally Mahoko Yoshimoto) is a Japanese author. She wrote her first book, the novel *Kitchen*, while studying. At the time, she also worked as a waitress in a café; her pen name was reportedly inspired by her fondness for the blossoms of the “red banana flower.” *Kitchen* sold millions of copies and brought her international attention. Yoshimoto went on to publish numerous other books, many of which achieved high sales outside Japan.