Inochi no Utsuwa

Inochi no Utsuwa (いのちの器) 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)
 * Portrayed by: Azusa Watanabe


 * Akira Ariyoshi (有吉晃)
 * Portrayed by: Shinichiro Okano


 * Masashi Ariyoshi (有吉（佐伯）雅志)
 * Yuko Hattori (服部（有吉）優子)
 * Momoko Ariyoshi (有吉桃子)
 * Hotaka Ariyoshi (有吉穂高)
 * Goro Ariyoshi (有吉五郎)
 * Haruna Ariyoshi (有吉春菜)
 * Yoriko Koishikawa (小石川頼子)

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.