Tazuko A jiro Monane (1939-1991) served as the director of the Japanese language program at Harvard University. She received her MSc degree from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Georgetown University. She was actively involved in language teaching and linguistic research, and many of her innovative teaching methods are embodied in this book.

Yumi Matsunari is an English teacher and translator based in Fukui, Japan. Her published works include Japanese Myths, Legends & Folktales.