Aiko Kitahara (1938-) was born in Tokyo's Shinbashi district. After graduating from Chiba Prefectural Girl's High School she joined an advertising firm, beginning her creative work on the side. She won the Shincho Prize for New Writers for her debut work, the 1969 Mama wa shiranakatta no yo (Mom Didn't Know). She has gained a widespread following for her sentimental touch and her status as a woman writer creating detailed images of the everyday life of Edo-period Japanese. Many of her works have been adapted for television.

1989 Izumi Kyoka Prize, for Fukagawa miodori kidoban goya (The Gatekeeper's Shack on Fukagawa's Mio Lane)

1993 Naoki Prize, for The Love-forgetting Flower

2005 Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize, for Yo no akeru made (Until Dawn Breaks)