Baishakunin, Inc.

  • en

"Baishakunin, Inc." is a new work of fiction from Naomi Hirahara the author of the Edgar Award-winning Mas Arai mystery series and two biographies published by the Japanese American National Museum. Its main character, Caroline Mameda, starts her own match-making business after being fired from her job. Set in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo.


Articles in this series

Chapter Twelve—Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter eleven

At least pretend that you’re happy to be here, I scold myself.  My best friend Ginnie Lee is getting married.  To a nice, decent man.  What a concept—two nice people making a lifetime commitment.  That’s the mission of my fledgling matchmaking company, Baishakunin, Incorporated, but ...

Chapter Eleven—Cold Imagawayaki

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter ten

Of all the people that I decide to be completely honest with, it shouldn’t be him.  I should be confessing to my best friend, bride-to-be Ginnie Lee; my staff at Baishakunin, Inc; or the guy who I was just starting to date, my landlord Jake ...

Chapter Ten—Honesty Is the Best Policy

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter nine

“You have to tell him,” says Ginnie, slurping the last bit of noodle in her large ceramic bowl. We are in Mr. Ramen on First Street in Little Tokyo. There’s a more popular ramen house a few storefronts away, but I opt for more quiet ...

Chapter Nine—Up in Space

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter eight

I don’t know why I set up my ex-boyfriend with the absolutely best catch in my fledgling dating service. As my best friend Ginny Lee always reminds me, I despise Rick; I have the deleted digital images in my trash folder to prove it (I ...

Chapter Eight—Match Game

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter seven

“So who’s going to be matched with who?” Ginnie asks as she licks some green tea/blood orange yogurt from her lips.

Chapter Seven—Who’s Ex?

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter six

Chapter Six—Behind the Shoji Screen

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter five

Chapter Five—Full House

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter four

Chapter Four—Finding Mrs. Butterworth

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter three

Chapter Three—Let’s Make a Deal

Naomi Hirahara

>> Chapter two

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A project of the Japanese American National Museum

Major support by The Nippon Foundation

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