Obasan: Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Back in 1972, Naomi looks through the box, which Emily sent to help Naomi “know everything.” Naomi doesn’t understand what Emily hopes to accomplish by keeping old documents and correspondence, which, Naomi thinks, only burden the living with the details of the dead. Obasan collects the twine that held together the parcel to reuse later, murmuring that everyone will die someday.

Inside the box, Naomi finds two letters written in Japanese, which she can’t read. Obasan refuses to tell Naomi what the letters say or who they are from, only repeating that “everyone someday dies.” Naomi decides not to press unnecessary questions while her aunt is grieving. She finds Aunt Emily’s journal in the box and sees that the later entries are addressed to Mother, Emily’s older sister. She is struck with a new feeling of connection to her mother and aunt, but she prioritizes looking after Obasan over reading the journal. Obasan brings Naomi an old photograph and says that it holds “the best memories.”