It's hard to be sure, say those who study the matter, because many Japanese couples, when polled, describe their marriage as a love match even if it was arranged.

The Western ideal of marrying for love is accommodated in a new omiai in which both parties are free to reject the match.

I think readers of every age may match themselves with the important persons in the books they love and ask themselves: Would I have done that? What choice would I have made?