Peter Martin obituary

Our father, Peter Martin, who has died aged 83, was a cultural diplomat and author of many books, from histories to mysteries, often centred on Japan.

He was born in London, the son of a postal worker. After he had undertaken studies in philosophy, and national service in the RAF, his intellectual curiosity led him into a successful career in the cultural world, first with the Royal Festival Hall, then with the British Council. After a stay in Indonesia, it was a posting to Kyoto in 1963 that began a long and productive relationship with Japan.