Inochi no Utsuwa
# Inochi no Utsuwa

Inochi no Utsuwa (Japanese: いのちの器, lit. "Vessel of Life") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kimiko Uehara. The story follows the life of Kyoko, an obstetrician and gynecologist practicing in a small town in Nagano, Japan. Inochi no Utsuwa has been serialized in Akita Shoten's josei manga magazine For Mrs. since 1991 and collected in 85 tankōbon volumes as of July 2021. It was adapted into a live-action Japanese television drama series that aired for 59 episodes on Fuji TV in 1998.

## Characters

### Kyoko Ariyoshi (有吉（山野）響子, Ariyoshi (Yamano) Kyoko)

    Portrayed by: Azusa Watanabe

### Akira Ariyoshi (有吉晃, Ariyoshi Akira)

    Portrayed by: Shinichiro Okano [ja]

## Reception

In 2004, Inochi no Utsuwa was one of the titles recommended by the jury of the manga division at the 8th Japan Media Arts Festival.

