Eiji Yoshikawa (吉川 英治, Yoshikawa Eiji, August 11, 1892 – September 7, 1962) was a Japanese historical novelist renowned for his significant contributions to the genre through retelling older classics in a new and accessible tone. His influence was deeply rooted in classics such as The Tale of the Heike, Tale of Genji, Water Margin, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, many of which he adeptly retold.

Yoshikawa's approach to these tales was innovative; for example, he condensed the original 15-volume manuscript of Taiko into just two volumes, making these historic tales much more accessible to a wider audience. Despite most of his novels not being original works, they have been instrumental in renewing interest in Japan's past and have cemented Yoshikawa's reputation as one of Japan's leading historical novelists.

In recognition of his literary achievements, Yoshikawa was awarded the Cultural Order of Merit in 1960, the highest award for a man of letters in Japan. He also received the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Mainichi Art Award just before his death from cancer in 1962.