Study Guide (Samurai's Garden)

Why does Stephen originally buy the journal?

to "record any prizes he might be lucky enough to capture"

Who accompanies Stephen home from Canton?

His best friend King.

Why does Stephen go to Tarumi?

He is sick with tuberculosis, and had to drop out of school so he could get well.

What are described as the symptoms of the illness which affects Stephen's family?

Tuberculosis: fevers and persistent dry cough

Where does Stephen's father spend most of his time?

In Japan for work (Kobe)

Who does Stephen travel to Kobe with?

Ching (servant from Hong Kong)

How does Stephen get to Kobe?

He takes a train.

What explanation is given for the names of the children in Stephen's family?

They are all Christian names.

Why doesn't Stephen's father accompany him to Tarumi?

Stephan convinced his father to let him travel alone

What does Stephen expect to be his only solace in Tarumi?

Time for his painting

Who is the person who meets Stephen at the train station in Tarumi?

Matsu, his grandfather's servant.

What is Stephen's first impression of the person who meets him at the station?

Matsu was old, heavy-set man with gray hair.

What item is found in Matsu's garden?

- Silk Tree

Why is Stephen embarrassed by his body?

He is very skinny, weak and tall

What best describes Matsu's house?

Bamboo fenced house that is simple, modest, and functional.

Why does Stephen have memories of Matsu from childhood?

- While staying at his grandfather's house Matsu, the servant was there (very serious, he was scared of him)

Where does Stephen first see Keiko?

On the beach with her sister.

Who is Keiko with when Stephen first sees her?

Her sister Miko.

What is Stephen's reaction to his father's visit to Tamuri in October of 1937?

he was so happy that he ran and jumped on him, almost knocking him down

What does Stephen learn about his father at the beach?

He is very different at the beach house than at home.

How does Stephen feel about his father leaving Tamuri in October of 1937?

that it is lonely

What does Stephen's father promise to send him?

Promises to send him paint supplies/canvas'

What two people do Stephen and his father discuss shortly before his father's departure?

Matsu and Tomoko

How does his father's departure affect Stephen?

it made him really sad. he felt such an emptiness, he wanted to cry

Why do Stephen and Matsu initially go to Yamaguchi?

To visit Matsu's "friend."

How does his father's departure affect Stephen?

it made him really sad. he felt such an emptiness, he wanted to cry

Why do Stephen and Matsu initially go to Yamaguchi?

To visit Matsu's "friend."

How does Stephen describe the houses in the village of Yamaguchi?

Shacks that are built with stones and wood put together with Scraps.

How does Stephen first feel when seeing the condition of affected villagers?

He is shocked at the stench and slightly scared by their rotting skin.

Who does Stephen meet in Yamaguchi?

Sachi.

Why does Stephen call the person he meets in Yamaguchi a kindred spirit?

They are similar because they were alienated by others because of their disease. They were both lonely.

What does Matsu reveal about his younger sister while he is in Yamaguchi with Stephen?

That she died.

What does Stephen decide to paint?

Matsu's garden

What gift does Matsu give Stephen after the visit to Yamaguchi?

Some old paintbrushes that his grandfather used to use.

Where does Stephen first see a kare sansui?

The first time he went to Sachi's house

How are Stephen and Matsu greeted on their second visit to Sachi?

Sachi hurried toward them when they began walking into the village. She was late

What does Stephen give Sachi in this second visit?

A charcoal drawing of the ocean

Why does Matsu say Sachi moved to her mountain home?

Because of her leprosy

What important event occurs at the beginning of Stephen's November journal that leaves him feeling lost?

He completed the painting of the garden and it was like "saying goodbye to his family" and being lonely again

What does Stephen notice a lack of in Tarumi?

Tarumi had no young men, because of the Japanese Imperial army.

Where does Stephen meet Kenzo?

At Kenzo's tea house

What does Matsu say Kenzo does?

Owns the tea house. His oldest friend. Makes the best rice crackers in Japan

What best describes Kenzo and Matsu in their youth?

Kenzo: popular, self-assured, proud Matsu: quiet

Who is Tomoko?

Matsu's dead sister

Why did Kenzo stay in Tarumi?

Because of Sachi

What does Kenzo give Stephen?

Rose juice

What does Stephen receive from his mother in November?

A letter

What does Stephen's mother ask him to do?

Talk to his father about his affair.

What are Stephen and Matsu doing when the wave crashes into the garden?

Trying to save Matsu's fish

Who is there when Stephen regains consciousness after being hit by the wave?

Sachi

What news is received that dampens the spirits of Stephen, Matsu, and their visitor?

Sachi tells of losing Kenzo as a friend

Who gives Stephen the black lacquer box with homemade yoken?

Keiko

Why does Miko have to do the laundry?

Because Keiko bet her that she couldn't be quiet for more than 5 minutes

Who does Keiko say is in the Japanese army?

Her brother

Who says, "You really are a monster"?

Kenzo

Why doesn't Sachi hide at Matsu's house?

She thought Kenzo was Stephen and didn't realize it until it was too late

Why doesn't Stephen ask Matsu to go along on his visit to Sachi?

He wants to talk to her alone

What does Stephen say to Sachi about her argument with Kenzo?

That she didn't disgrace anyone and that Matsu needs her

Why does Sachi often rearrange the stones in her garden?

It gives her a sense of power and control

What, according to Sachi, is true about Sachi and Tomoko as children?

That they were the most beautiful girls in Tarumi

Why does Sachi say Tomoko contracted leprosy?

She was vain

How does Sachi say Tomoko died?

She killed herself

What object of Tomoko's did Matsu give to Sachi?

He gave her a stone.

What does Sachi tell Stephen when she learns that Matsu was unaware of this visit?

Matsu might worry and to tell Matsu if he comes again

What does Stephen learn during his father's second visit, which occurs in December of 1937?

His father has been having an affair for 12 years

What reason does Stephen's father give for sending his mistress a large sum of money?

He was only doing it because of business

When does Stephen's father leave Tamuri after his second visit to see Stephen?

Before Stephen woke up the next morning

Where does Matsu invite Stephen after his father leaves?

The temple

What does Stephen tell his mother about his father's affair?

He said it was strictly "business".

What does Stephen decide to pray for?

All of his friends and family

Why does Matsu say he decides to visit Tama with Stephen?

He thought it might be helpful to Stephen

Who says, "A Japanese woman would never do such a thing," and to whom is that person referring?

Stephen's dad says this about how his mother went behind his back to learn about the affair and to tell Stephen to try and figure out more information about his father's affair.

Where does Stephen see the "nicest Christmas tree I ever had"?

Matsu's house

What is Stephen's interpretation of his parents' marriage at the end of the December journal entries?

That they will stay together in a business relationship only

Who does Stephen say he is happy to discover he will spend New Year's with?

Sachi-san

To whom does Stephen give a miniature pine tree in a clay planter?

Gives it to Sachi

What is a kado-matsu?

A wreath symbolizing prosperity, purity, longevity, and loyalty

What is the name of the object Stephen gives Matsu for luck?-

daruma doll. The doll is for luck and the custom is to paint in one eye while making a wish

What is Matsu's New Year's gift to Stephen?

a book of japanese poetry

What is a shime-nawa?

a rope of twisted straw thought to keep evil spirits away

What New Year's gifts does Stephen receive from his family?

- Stephen receives from his family—a sweater, a watch, shirts, and books. He also receives a letter from King

Who sends Stephen a letter telling of the massacre in Nanking?

King

Why do Stephen and Matsu go to the shrine?

for the bean throwing ceremony-- mame-maki

What is Setsubun?

It is the day before spring in Japan. However it literally means "Seasonal division".

What does the throwing of beans represent?

they represent the earth being impregnated with the seeds of life

How do Kenzo and Matsu make amends?

they dont... Kenzo dies before they really were able too

Where is Kenzo's body found?

In his tea shop hanging from a rope

How is Kenzo's body disposed of?

Matsu takes his body down off of the rope

Who does Sachi say saved her from being trampled at a celebration many years earlier?

Matsu

How does Keiko respond to Stephen's offer to carry her basket of persimmons?

She says no because it will upset her father

Where does Stephen say the young men of the village are when he visits for Kenzo's burial?

They are all off fighting in the war

How do Stephen and Sachi acknowledge each other outside the temple after Kenzo's funeral?

- sachi lifted her vail and their eyes caught for a moment and sachi bowed low in Stephan's direction

What is part of the reason that Stephen says that time has slowed to a crawl?

- partly to the fact that Keiko and Sachi have all but vanished from his life

What does Stephen think might be the reason that Keiko's father hates him?

he thinks it could be ancient grievance between the two families

Stephen says he feels like his new life has ended. What does he say he has returned to?

back to a time of sickness, sleeping late, and doing little

Where does Keiko find Stephen when she heads to Matsu's to visit?

in the garden with his sketch pad

What does Stephen have with him when Keiko finds him on the day she pays him a visit in March of 1938?

sketch pad

How does Keiko address her father's behavior to Stephen?

she apologizes for her father's behavior

How does Stephen respond to Keiko's addressing of her father's behavior?

he understands considering "her brother and the war"

How does Keiko say her father has brought shame to the family?

by being rude