It's always the, young bright young minds that bring change to something so old and almost tradition. Stephan and Sachi talk for along time. The samurai class had a certain type of weapons used in war and their battles they had 3 different types of swords. As his body begins healing, his emotions are delicately fractured by all that he learns of war, leprosy, first love, his family secrets, and the servant Matsu - who is truly a master of wisdom, honor, and faith. Matsu cooks for days before January 1 and prepares kado-matsua wreath symbolizing prosperity, purity, longevity, and loyalty. As it turns out His dad was having an affair, he randomly shows up to explain the situation, and despite the nonsense you can't help but feel bad for his father (Obviously not a bad person). It is written as excerpts from his journal and so it is from his perspectiveas though we, the reader, are sharing his inner-most thoughts and feelings. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Stephen's father visits again for a small time and it appears that Stephen's anger towards him has dissolved for the most part. The story begins with a Chinese young man going to Japan to recover from a serious illness during the war with China. Sachi says she tried to do the same, but didn't have the courage. Loneliness, solitude, and isolation are all themes that permeate the novel throughout. Tomoko, Matsus sister would be one of the first, to catch the disease and she later committed suicide by cutting her throat. This Study Guide consists of approximately 41pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - The artistic student spends time with the caretaker, Matsu, who has created serene gardens. That friendship is enhanced when Stephen meets Sachithe woman Matsu helped through her discovery of her own infection with leprosy. Her novels include. Set in late 19 th century japan, kiyono takes her readers through a poignant love story amidst the fading world of the bushido, the way of the warrior. Matsu forcibly threw him out of the house, Kenzo berated Sachi with insults and swiftly left. Prachtig, rustgevend en maakte mij aan het huilen. Stephen gives Matsu a daruma doll. While they ate lunch together, news came over the radio that Japans army finally secured Shanghai, leaving Stephen in a state of shock. He worries about his family's safety, as the Japanese advance toward Hong Kong. There is so much to discuss in this story, perfect for book clubs. Order our The Samurai's Garden Study Guide, Autumn: November through December 2, 1937, Winter: December 5 through December 25, 1937, teaching or studying The Samurai's Garden. I found such peacefulness when reading this story even though much of it is about a village of lepers living in Japan in the 1930s. Following this explanation, Matsu revealed that Kenzo and Sachi were once engaged, and Matsu went on to explain that Sachi was the only girl Kenzo ever loved. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. The Samurai's Garden - Winter: January and February 1938 Summary & Analysis The Samurai's Garden Summary | GradeSaver The Samurai's Garden by Patricia Kiyono - Goodreads The clean, bare rooms with tatami mats, kneeling for tea, the simple meals of rice and pickled vegetables, the good, pure joy of things being simple and beautiful in a quiet and understated way. The report "The History of Samurai in Japan" describes samurai as legends who have played a very important role in developing Japan.. Analysis of Gail Tsukiyama's novel The Samurai's Garden Essay While it takes place during WWII (during Japan's massacre of Nanking), very little of the war intrudes. The novel is a portrait of Stephen learning what life will actually feel like, with all its pain, trials, and tragedy. Upon completion there's a celebration in Yamaguchi and both Matsu and Stephen are held as honorary guests for all their help. She met someone like Matsu, whom I feel like I understand a lot, who doesn't think much about, social status and cares of others. The caretaker of the home becomes his life-teacher and as the book unfolds he learns about relationships, how to find peace within himself, and about love and loss. He also learns about himself through the process. Summary: October 5, 1937 Stephens father arrived without forewarning and surprised both Matsu and Stephen with his visit, walking to the house from the train station unannounced. 2. The second garden is Sachi's and is, in many ways, the opposite of Matsu's. Why would the Japanese government be okay with this? What are some of the metaphors for the garden and how are they worked out in the novel? English? Popular Health & Beauty Home, Garden & Pets Electronics & Technology 30 day returns Excellent 4.5 out of 5 Buyer Protection Shop Along with this news Stephen also found out that Matsu had known Sachi since they were younger as well, her being the best friend of his sisters. As Stephen tells it, his parents were searching for a place for Stephen to recuperate but were also looking for a way to get him away from his younger sister, Penelope, before he infected her. I enjoyed the book largely for the fairy tale flavor and its slow, gentle pace. Gail Tsukiyama's The Samurai's Garden uses the Japanese invasion of China during the late 1930s as a somber backdrop for this extraordinary story. 3923 votes. This was the first time in a long time, Pie being born, whom had become to focal point of his parents attention, that Stephen had been so close with his father. His life is challenging, but meaningful, and ultimately, his suffering serves Stephen as a rite of passage. Apart from an almost throwaway revelation near the end, this novel is as shallow and unmemorable as an article in an in-flight magazine. I wanted to accompany Stephen back to Hong Kong to rejoin his mother and sister. On March 14, he takes a sketch pad to the garden and has just seated himself when Keiko arrives. The katana, Wakizashi, and the Yari. Xenophobia, Ableism, Child death Minor. He will rest, swim in the salubrious sea, and paint in the brilliant shoreside light. The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama | Goodreads At first it appears so simple, a story of a young Chinese-Japanese young man named Stephen leaving his family house in Hong Kong so his younger sister may not get exposed his sickness. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Samurai%27s_Garden&oldid=1133100297, This page was last edited on 12 January 2023, at 07:41. Weather - from balmy days to horrible storms - often reflects characters' inner lives. You follow the character stephen through his journal as it skips through the months and seasons. The protagonist somehow does not have a "male literary voice", despite being a 20 year old heterosexual male. Bad, sentimental, insipid book about a young Chinese man from a wealthy Hong Kong family who is sent to a small village in Japan (why?) Matsu explained what had happened, that Kenzo stopped by to deliver a letter for Sachi, and how he felt he was misled to believe that Sachi would never leave Yamaguchi. Battle Game of the Month: Recycle, Reuniform Summary: September 29, 1937 The past week was hard for Stephen, he had been confined to a quiet loneliness that covered him like a smothering embrace, but in the morning when he had returned from a swim, Matsu let him know a package had arrived for him. He then asked after Matsu, his father informed him that at a younger age Matsu was full of pent-up energy, but when his sister did he had become more reserved. She returns the affection, but her father hates Stephen because of his race. After passing out and resuming consciousness, Stephen found himself alone, he left to find anyone and came upon the garden that had been destroyed by the storm, leaving him shocked. Hearing of the damage done, Sachi heads down and visits them which is extremely surprising with how she's never left Yamaguchi because of the embarrassment of her disease. Summary: October 8, 1937 Stephen walked with his father to the train station, after bidding farewell to him on his return journey he felt a sense of hollowness that made him want to cry. Gail tsukiyama the samurais garden. The Samurai's Garden by Gail Over the course of a remarkable year, Stephen . Everyone is in a great mood and Sachi continues to come down to visit, until one day when Kenzo stumbles into the garden unexpectedly. Stephen said his goodbyes to Sachi. An editor He offered to teach him, and his father declined insisting that the next time he visited maybe, which saddened Stephen to know that hed be alone again in a days time. Sachi is now an old woman with leprosy. This is not an earth-shaking book, but one that comes across as an almost dreamlike remembrance. Stephen hears the news of the escalating war between China and Japan. Book Club Reflection: The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama This makes The Samurai's Garden a bildungsroman, meaning that the novel is a picture and investigation of the introduction of true human experience to the psyche of a child, bringing him into full adulthood. The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama Short Summary Essay Example On the eve of the Second World War, a young Chinese man is sent to his family's summer home in Japan to recover from tuberculosis. Nagoya Castle; Tokugawa Garden; Arimatsu; Atsuta Jingu; Osu Matsumoto; Day 2. Stephen Chan, a slim, wavy-haired 20-year-old Chinese understudy and oil painter, presents his technique for narrating: a recently bought book of Japanese material paper where he will record his excursion of . Utilizing the Shoryudo 5-Day Pass, this course tours the greater Central Japan area, visiting three castles, places related to the Ninja, and the popular Takayama and Kanazawa areas. Born and raised in the suburbs of Montreal, 5 years in the Black Watch of Canada Cadets, 5 years at the Collge militaire royal de Saint-Jean followed by 4 in the navy. The Samurai Summary - eNotes.com The Samurai's Garden is a 1994 novel by American author Gail Tsukiyama. 1st St. Martin's Griffin ed. Matsu was Stephen's grandfather's house keeper, and is a very understanding, quiet man. Maybe too much politeness, carefulness in Stephen? When he returned to the garden to thank Matsu, he was nowhere to be found, but he could tell that the Garden was Matsus sanctuary, it continued to exude his odd lingering presence, a combination of sturdiness and quiet grace. Also, another nitpick, how is it that Stephen can understand the Japanese citizens perfectly? These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. Through the character of Stephen one can conclude that outside forces do not control a person's life because in life people can take what has been given to them and do . However, in his friendships, mentorships, various jobs, and friendships, he has more than enough meaning to pull him along. He left for Tarumi alone shortly after arriving in Kobe, taking the train to Tarumi he was greeted by Matsu, his familys servant. The Samurai's Garden Gail Tsukiyama 4.14 24,434 ratings2,318 reviews A 20-year-old Chinese painter named Stephen is sent to his family's summer home in a Japanese coastal village to recover from a bout with tuberculosis. Matsu has surprised Stephen with his musical tastes, including the likes of Mozart and Chopin, which also reminded Stephen of Pie and her Russian piano teacher. His father also told his mother it was for a business matter and in the letter you hear her sadness and almost letting everything out in the letter. Matsu told Stephen due to his own foolishness he has caused Sachi to suffer another disgrace in her life. 224 pp. Being that he is one of the, young ones in the village right now i see it as he one who can influence change. Stephens relationship with Matsu and Sachi grows as they visit her many more times up in Yamaguchi. The Samurai's Garden is the second novel by Gail Tsukiyama and widely considered her finest and most mature novel to date. The Samurai's Garden Themes | GradeSaver After awhile Matsu decides they should visit Sachi again, upon their arrival they find part of the village in flames. Sachi says that Kenzo believes they had all deceived him. Summary: September 20, 1937 His father sent word that he wouldnt be able to visit him until the following week; along with this there also had been no further correspondence from his mother and Pie from Hong Kong, even if only after a week of his arrival. I personally can't stand, those who don't have the heart nor gut to choose something especially something as serious, and complicated as love. He really made the two main male characters come to life for me. The book itself is like a zen garden. How did I read 800+ books without discovering Gail Tsukiyama? After eating, he left to the beach with his painting utensils, after a time of painting he finally decided to go for a swim, which granted him a freedom he hadnt felt since being ill; as if he was finally free of the burden. All three central characters (Stephen, Matsu, and Sachi) find some sense of comfort in tending the garden. He sends a letter back to his mother in Hong Kong assuring her nothing is wrong although it still appears she suspects something. Stephen says he was happy to discover he'd be celebrating the New Year with Sachi. Once they reached the edge of the village, they went to a house where Matsu knocked and greeted his friend Sachi, introducing Stephen and they went inside, Matsu appearing almost youthful and at ease. In this beautifully crafted second novel by Tsukiyama (Women of the Silk), the world outside the . I had never read a Tsukiyama book before, but was eager to, as I've heard such good things about her work. Hagakure: Book of the Samurai is a manual for the samurai culture that consists of a series of short stories that explain the influences and ways of samurais and Bushido warriors. very lovely and an escape to the sea in a village in Japan. Sadly the only parting gift from Keiko was the white blossom he found on the fence the day before his trip back. More books than SparkNotes.