Kokoro Character Analysis

The Narrator

Born to a rural family of modest means, the narrator is a first-generation university student in Tokyo. Though he embraces his new metropolitan lifestyle and education, he struggles to find direction and purpose in his… read analysis of The Narrator

Sensei

Sensei is a wealthy, middle-aged man who lives in Tokyo with his wife, Shizu. Deeply introspective, Sensei lives a life of seclusion, his demeanor marked by a profound melancholy and world-weariness. As he explains… read analysis of Sensei

K

K, the son of a Shinshu priest, is Sensei’s childhood friend; he’s deceased in the novel’s present. During secondary school, K is adopted by a wealthy doctor’s family, who agree to pay for… read analysis of K

The Narrator’s Father

The narrator’s father is a pleasant, if unsophisticated, old country man. While the narrator is away at university, he falls ill with kidney disease, and the narrator returns home on multiple occasions to care for… read analysis of The Narrator’s Father

Ojosan (Shizu)

Shizu is Sensei’s wife. She’s also referred to as Ojosan, which means “young lady” or “miss” in Japanese. The daughter of a military officer who died when she was young, she is raised alone… read analysis of Ojosan (Shizu)

Okusan

Okusan, which means “lady” in Japanese, is the widow of a high-ranking Japanese military officer, and the mother of Ojosan. A practical, perceptive woman, she quickly recognizes Sensei’s romantic interest in her daughter… read analysis of Okusan

Sensei’s Uncle

Sensei’s uncle is the older, worldly brother of Sensei’s wealthy father. When Sensei’s parents pass away from disease, he becomes Sensei’s guardian, entrusted with managing his affairs and inheritance. Despite his seeming benevolence and… read analysis of Sensei’s Uncle

The Narrator’s Mother

The narrator’s mother is a kind-hearted, middle-aged rural woman. A devoted wife and mother, she takes loving care of her family, tending to her ill husband (the narrator’s father) and performing traditional domestic… read analysis of The Narrator’s Mother

Emperor Meiji

Emperor Meiji is the emperor of Japan until his death near the end of the novel. His death symbolizes the end of the Meiji era, a transformative period in Japan’s history. Characterized by large-scale industrialization… read analysis of Emperor Meiji

Minor Characters

General Nogi

– General Nogi is a famous Japanese military general who commits junshi following the death of Emperor Meiji. His death, in addition to the emperor’s, inspires Sensei’s suicide.

The Narrator’s Brother

The narrator’s brother is a businessman based in Kyushu. Like the narrator, he returns home to help care for his sick father. Though he and the narrator have never been close, they bond over their father’s declining health.

The Narrator’s Sister

The narrator’s sister is a pregnant young woman. When she hears of her father’s worsening condition, she sends her husband to help in her place, as she’s unable to travel due to her pregnancy.

The Narrator’s Brother-in-Law

The narrator’s brother-in-law is the husband of the narrator’s sister. Due to his wife’s late stage of pregnancy, he comes to help the narrator’s family in her stead.

Sensei’s Father

Sensei’s father is a wealthy country gentleman who dies of sickness when Sensei is a teenager.

Sensei’s Mother

Sensei’s mother is wealthy woman who lives with her husband in the country. She dies of sickness when Sensei is a teenager.

The Narrator’s Friend

The narrator’s friend is a wealthy university student.

The Westerner

The Westerner is a friend of Sensei’s. Unusually for a white man, he does not shy from stripping off clothes to swim. Sensei labels him an eccentric.

The Wealthy Doctor

The wealthy doctor is K’s adopted father. He disowns K when he discovers he has lying about his studies at university.

Sensei’s Maid

Sensei’s maid is the housekeeper for Sensei and Shizu.

Kokoro Characters