A Critique Of The Samurai’s Garden, A Novel By Gail Tsukiyama

The Samurai’s Garden, Gail Tsukiyama’s novel, tells the story about Stephen, a Chinese teenager. He moves to Tarumi, to get treatment for Tuberculosis. Matsu, Stephen’s housekeeper is there to care for him. Matsu introduces Stephen to Sachi who is a leprosy-suffering patient. Sachi was once beautiful and lives in Yamaguchi. Sachi was once a teenager and lived a normal, loving life. Now she is a stranger in a small village. Sachi shows that anyone can choose their destiny and accept their circumstances. Stephen’s initial reaction when he was isolated was painful and depressing. But he made the decision to adjust to Japanese culture and turn his experience into something positive. Tsukiyama uses Sachi and Stephen to illustrate how characters react when faced with unexpected changes.

Tsukiyama demonstrates Sachi’s positive attitude during her battle with leprosy. Tsukiyama talks about how Sachi felt the first time she arrived in Japan. Sachi tells Stephen of her lonely nights after she first arrived in Yamaguchi. “She would sometimes hit her forehead with her fist until her face was bruised” (Tsukiyama 140). The word “deep lonely” is used by the author to describe the deep bonds she feels with her family as well as her past. Tsukiyama illustrates the pain Sachi experienced by telling her to “strike [her] forehead[with] [her] fist”. Sachi’s sadness and depression can be seen by the reader. Sachi, a young woman with leprosy, is the only person present at this moment. Sachi is very pessimistic. Sachi’s family has left her and she is now traumatized. Tsukiyama provides another example of Sachi’s change in attitude and her ability for hardships to be overcome. Sachi is asked by Stephen if she misses old friends or relatives. She responds, “The bridge represented a samurai on their difficult path to heaven.” The bridge is a place where you can see the way to paradise. [She] feels as if she has seen the future in her past days. “To simply live without fear is a true paradise,” (Tsukiyama, 58). Sachi’s journey is illustrated by the author using bridge imagery. In the quote, the word “fear” refers to the loneliness and sadness that Sachi experienced. Sachi is described by Tsukiyama as a samurai. Sachi has to face many challenges in her life, and it’s harder to go up than down the steep bridge. Sachi finds that life is not all about suffering and pain, when she reaches the summit of the bridge. Sachi’s acceptance of her circumstances has helped her find peace and self-acceptance. Sachi knows she can choose to live in this moment even though her past has not been the best. Sachi describes in this quote how she overcame isolation and unanticipated changes to feel content with her life, comparing it “paradise”. The story shows Sachi’s change of attitude throughout her battle with the disease. Although she initially feels lonely, depressed and isolated, Sachi slowly changes her outlook towards leprosy. Tsukiyama’s use characterization and Sachi’s determination to overcome her challenges shows how Tsukiyama can help us understand how we can change our attitudes and accept our circumstances. Stephen made an effort to enjoy Tarumi, and eventually he adjusted to the village life. Stephen felt lonely upon his arrival in Tarumi. However, as the story goes on, Stephen starts to accept change. Stephen initially feels lost and unable to adjust to the new environment and silence. Stephen realizes that it is difficult to “have to adapt to silence, put aside all the comforts and noises of [his] friends in Hong Kong or Canton. To be alone is more difficult than [he] thought. It’s possible that he might become used to it. “Tsukiyama 13: Tsukiyama illustrates Stephen’s power to choose to accept the circumstances of his life and give him a chance for a fresh start with hope. Stephen is able to make anything from this blank canvas and start a new life. This is Stephen’s way of accepting his situation. He is now able to appreciate the positive aspects of his departure from his comfort zone and he can choose to enjoy it. Stephen finally feels at ease after one year in Tarumi. Stephen receives a mother’s letter advising him that he should remain in Tarumi longer. Stephen is relieved when he hears this. To show that there is light and lingering memories of home, the author uses “scents”. Tsukiyama also uses adapted to describe Stephen’s evolving attitude. “Adapted” means to adapt to your surroundings. Stephen’s ability to overcome sadness and isolation over time allows him to live a happy life. Although he regrets leaving the place that was once so boring, sad, depressing, and sad. This author shows that every person has the ability to choose to make positive changes. Stephen chose to take on his challenges and have a positive attitude in order to reach happiness.

Tsukiyama illustrates Sachi’s experience with leprosy through Stephen’s solo visit to Tarumi. Although they cannot choose whether tragedy or change will strike, they can choose how they react. The Samurai’s Garden’s Sachi is portrayed alongside Stephen as dynamic characters. While unexpected changes may seem awful at first glance, people can take them as an opportunity for reflection and to overcome any obstacles that might prevent them from being happy and successful. Tsukaima demonstrates that, regardless of the circumstances, an individual can choose how they want to end their lives.

Author

  • isabelowen

    Isabel is a 30-year-old educational blogger and student. She has been writing about education for over 10 years and has written for a variety of different platforms. She is currently a student at the University of Utah.

isabelowen

isabelowen

Isabel is a 30-year-old educational blogger and student. She has been writing about education for over 10 years and has written for a variety of different platforms. She is currently a student at the University of Utah.

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