When Blossoms Fall - pages 32 to 43 (end)

Summary of pages 32 to 43 (end)

The narrative unfolds a tale of profound introspection, identity, and the intricate dance between personal experiences and historical narratives.

Michiko's intuition: Michiko is deeply unsettled by Tokugawa. To her, his eyes are a swirling enigma, like a haunting Noh performance blended with the eerie artistry of Butoh, with a dash of raw samurai intensity. Their interactions feel like a play of epic proportions, but one that is rife with endless conflicts, undefined characters, and clashing plots. The narrative subtly contrasts Michiko's emotional intuition with her husband's naivety. Tokugawa’s intent, hinted at through his eyes, suggests potential victims. Michiko's intense desire to protect her family manifests in an almost surreal contemplation of removing Tokugawa's enigmatic eyes.

Kamikaze museum: The narrative's scope broadens to encompass the controversial kamikaze museum. The story highlights the contrast between Japan's inherent need for precision, as seen in the museum’s long-winded name, and the sensationalized 'kamikaze museum' tag. As the family watches a documentary about the museum, Tokugawa, the story's ever-present antagonist, expounds upon the valiance of Japan's fighter pilots. However, what sticks with Yuri is not the combat footage, but the innocent joviality of young pilots, soon to embark on fatal missions.

Cultural differences: The plot thickens with Yuri's strong reaction to a rape incident portrayed on a TV soap. Her outrage and frustration with her parents’ dismissiveness mirror her struggle with tradition and modernity. This passion transforms into a fierce form of rebellion as Yuri evolves, from her early years in Japan, her education in Sydney, and her ultimate return to Tokyo in search of her roots.

Yuri in Tokyo: The Tokyo she rediscovers is not steeped in tradition but intoxicated by the hedonistic highs of the bubble era. Navigating this new world, she dives into a whirlwind lifestyle of parties, relationships, and transient pleasures. Yet, her search for authenticity leads to disillusionment, personified by an architect boyfriend who fails to resonate with her deeper self. In her journey for purpose, Yuri joins the Asian Women’s Association, a group dedicated to confronting pressing social issues, and finds herself on a collision course with Tokugawa. His transition into creating manga, particularly those that seem to sanitize and even glorify wartime atrocities, alarms Yuri. Tokugawa's works, vividly depicted yet historically skewed, exemplify the dangers of manipulating collective memory. The narrative culminates with an excerpt from one of Tokugawa's comics, featuring a young pilot named Taro's farewell letter to his mother. This heart-wrenching note exemplifies the tragedy of young lives lost in the name of honor and duty, making readers reflect on the true cost of war.

The final section touches upon themes of remembrance, cultural identity, familial relationships, and the consequences of war, drawing connections between personal narratives and national history.

Kamikaze manga: There is a description of a manga scene depicting Kamikaze Taro’s final moments before crashing his plane, signifying the deep emotional impact of the kamikaze legacy.

Ms M's critique: Ms M is a passionate critic of the rhetoric surrounding kamikaze spirit, which she finds is being glorified by Tokugawa. Yuri, a younger woman, finds herself agreeing with Ms M's sentiments and is repulsed by the romanticised vision of kamikazes.

Tokugawa’s manifesto: Tokugawa is advocating for a revival of the kamikaze spirit to combat modern moral decline in Japan. This raises the question of how this connects to the broader narrative of remembrance and understanding the past.

Yuri's personal connection: A person accuses Yuri of being associated with a manga character who collects kamikaze letters. It hints that Yuri's own history and the history of her family are intertwined with the legacy of kamikaze pilots. Saburo seems to be a relative or close associate and there's a mixed feeling about this association. The person seems conflicted about how to remember and honor the kamikaze without glorifying war.

Truth about Comfort Women: In 1991, the truth about 'comfort women' is unveiled, with Japanese government documents exposing the Imperial Army’s involvement in military brothels. Yuri and her women’s group are involved in grassroots efforts to translate and disseminate this information.

Yuri's father: The narrative explores the strained relationship between Yuri and her father, Hajime, who had withheld certain memories from her. Ms M exploits this relationship in her critique, causing a rift between father and daughter.

Father's passing: The narrative shifts to a more intimate perspective of Yuri grappling with her father’s recent death. Despite his dedication to documenting history, he left behind no personal records, leaving her feeling unanchored. She grapples with guilt over his death, thinking she may have inadvertently caused it.

Lily’s insight: The story concludes with a touching moment from Yuri’s daughter, Lily. Lily seems to possess an uncanny ability to visualise memories, and she gives Yuri a poignant drawing of a gardenia flower, symbolising her grandfather.

Discussion questions for pages 32 to 43 (end)

1. What does Kim Hak-soon's breaking of silence after nearly fifty years signify about the personal and collective trauma experienced by the 'comfort women'?

2. Considering the complexities of Yuri's relationship with her father, how might his reluctance to discuss family history impact their connection and understanding of each other?

3. Considering Yuri's journey throughout the story, how do her experiences reflect the complexities of reconciling a painful historical legacy with one's identity?