Nakayama-sensei is an Anglican minister who presides over the Nakanes’ congregation in Vancouver and continues serving as a community leader when he moves to Slocan. He tries to foster a sense of togetherness and support among the displaced Japanese Canadians in Slocan, but his efforts are largely unsuccessful––as are his attempts to find Mother and Grandma Kato in Japan. He remains close to the Nakanes, and after Uncle’s death, he is with the family when Naomi learns the truth about Mother.
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Nakayama-sensei Character Timeline in Obasan
The timeline below shows where the character Nakayama-sensei appears in Obasan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 16
The family is greeted at the train station by Nakayama-sensei, the minister from their Anglican church in Vancouver. As Nakayama-sensei helps them carry their luggage,...
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Chapter 25
Nomura-obasan and other neighbors visit the Nakanes while they pack, and Nakayama-sensei leads the group in prayer. During the prayers, Stephen accidentally breaks one of Mother’s records....
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Chapter 27
Aunt Emily will be arriving soon with Stephen, and Nakayama-sensei has also promised to visit. Naomi flashes back to a conversation she had with Emily....
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Chapter 31
...she finds a frog with a broken leg. Stephen comes to bring Naomi home because Nakayama-sensei has come to visit, and Naomi brings the frog with her. When the children get...
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Chapter 32
Looking at the photographs makes Naomi think of Mother and Grandma Kato. Nakayama-sensei searched for them when he visited Japan after the war, but he found no trace...
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Chapter 36
Nakayama-sensei, Aunt Emily, and Stephen arrive. Stephen doesn’t respond to Obasan’s attempts to start a conversation...
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Aunt Emily shows a stack of letters to Nakayama-sensei and explains that Naomi and Stephen don’t know about them. Nakayama-sensei points out that Naomi...
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Chapter 37
Nakayama-sensei finishes reading the letter. He is deeply rattled, but he tries to bring comfort to...
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