The Samurai's Garden

The Samurai’s Garden is structured by seasons and their weather. Stephen’s “chapters” are dates in his journal headed by season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). Stephen often writes about his challenges and changes in terms of seasons: “All through the thick, sticky summer, the heat made things worse” (3), and seasonal archetypes abound, with spring as rebirth, summer as fruition, autumn as loss and change, and winter as death. In the first “Winter” chapter, Stephen writes, “Sachi’s presence, which had held us and the garden captive is gone, leaving an emptiness that can’t be filled” (73).

Weather – from balmy days to horrible storms – often reflects characters’ inner lives. When a storm hits Tarumi just after Stephen learns of his father’s infidelity, he and Matsu are pummeled by the torrential rain and waves: “The wall of water swept us both off our feet, knocking us solidly against the house” (52). Stephen has been knocked down psychologically, and the physical wave embodies that shock, making his inner and outer lives one.

Throughout the novel, flowers are associated with grace and good luck. Keiko often has a lavender scent, and most of Stephen’s interactions with her involve flowers: “I looked up to see a shower of white petals fall in my direction… I jumped up and could hear two girls laughing aloud as I rushed to the gate” (19).