No-No Boy - Chapters 4 to 6

Summary of chapters 4 to 6

Ichiro Yamada and Kenji Kanno visit a gambling house in Chinatown and then go to Club Oriental, a bar. At the club, Ichiro's temper flares when a Japanese American man named Bull, who served during the war, taunts him for being a no-no boy. Ichiro's brother Taro is also at the club and tries to get Ichiro outside. When Ichiro finally goes outside, he is attacked by Taro's friends. Kenji intervenes and saves Ichiro. They drive to the countryside to the house of Kenji's friend Emi. Emi's husband, Ralph, served in the same military unit as Kenji during the war and reenlisted after the war. Emi is unsure of her feelings for Ralph. Ichiro and Emi have a heart-to-heart conversation about their families and insecurities. The next morning, Emi tells Ichiro to admit his mistake and do something about it. Kenji, who is in pain due to a war injury, suggests they go on a picnic, but Emi insists he go home to see his family. Before Kenji and Ichiro leave, Emi changes into a blue dress and tells Kenji she will wait for him. She cries as she watches them leave, knowing she may never see Kenji again.

Ichiro returns to the grocery store where his mother, Mrs. Yamada, tells him not to associate with Kenji, whom she considers shameful. Ichiro informs her that he will be going to Portland with Kenji the next day. Mrs. Yamada receives a letter from her sister in Japan, which Mr. Yamada insists she reads. The letter reveals the hardships faced by her sister and her family in Japan, and Mrs. Yamada is in denial, unable to accept the truth about Japan's defeat in the war. Ichiro's father tries to make Mrs. Yamada face reality, but later backtracks, trying to comfort her. Ichiro is frustrated with his father's indecisiveness and lashes out at him. The chapter reveals the psychological toll the war has taken on Ichiro's family, especially his mother, who clings to a delusional belief that Japan won the war. Ichiro contemplates starting anew in Portland, where no one knows his past.

Kenji Kanno visits his father, who feels guilty for bringing his family to America, believing that this led to Kenji's suffering. Kenji's family gathers for a dinner before his trip to the VA hospital in Portland, which they all know is for a serious medical condition. Kenji decides to leave quietly to avoid emotional goodbyes. He stops at Club Oriental but leaves in disgust after witnessing an incident of racism. Kenji then picks up Ichiro and they drive to Portland. During the drive, they are pulled over by a police officer who tries to extort a bribe from them. In Portland, they have breakfast at a diner where Kenji reveals to Ichiro that his condition is terminal. Kenji is admitted to the hospital, and Ichiro promises to visit him.

Discussion questions for chapters 4 to 6

1. How does the club attack in Chapter 4 show conflict within the Japanese American community after the war? 

2. In Chapter 5, Ichiro wants to leave his past behind. Why might someone do this, and what's good and bad about starting over somewhere new?

3. In Chapter 6, Kenji sees racism at Club Oriental. Why is this important in the story, and what does it say about problems faced by minority groups?

4. How does the struggle of Ichiro and Kenji with their past affect their belonging in America?