Describes how Japan sent five girls, raised in traditional samurai households, to be educated in the United States in 1871 in order to return to Japan and raise a new generation of enlightened men to lead Japan. Follows three of these young women as they grow up in San Francisco, learn English and Western customs, forge friendships, and then return to Japan ten years later with a goal of promoting women's education. Draws on archival research in both countries, and decades of letters between the women and their American host families.

Prologue -- Samurai daughter -- The war of the Year of the Dragon -- "A little leaven" -- "An expedition of practical observers" -- "Interesting strangers" -- Finding families -- Growing up American -- At Vassar -- The journey "home" -- Two weddings -- Getting along alone -- Alice in Tokyo -- Advances and retreats -- The Women's Home School of English -- Endings.