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Samurai
Seppuku is a form of ritualistic suicide most associated with the Japanese warrior class of samurai. In the mid-20th century, seppuku—meant to preserve one’s honor in the face of military defeat or social shame—became a more widespread practice throughout the country, particularly in the years before and after World War II. Seppuku involves using a sharp knife to disembowel oneself. In The Samurai’s Garden, Tomoko commits seppuku with her father’s fishing knife after learning that she has leprosy in the hopes that such an act will help her family to avoid the stigma associated with the disease.
Seppuku Quotes in The Samurai’s Garden
The The Samurai’s Garden quotes below are all either spoken by Seppuku or refer to Seppuku. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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31. Spring: April 15, 1938 Quotes
If I had been brave like some of the others, I would be in the other world now. I still remember the salty ocean water, stained red with blood that morning so many years ago. And I often recall my father’s voice telling me how the samurai maintain their honor by committing seppuku. […]
My father had hoped that by ending my life, he could retain the honor of our family. And in the end, I didn’t even allow him to have that. It would have simply been doing ko, submitting to his wishes. It was an obligation, the supreme duty of a child to adhere to one’s parents, but I failed my father. Only now, as I move toward the end of my life, can I begin to understand the enormous task that was asked of me, and to forgive myself for not completing it.
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“How did you know I was here?”
“Tomoko,” he whispered.
“What about Tomoko?” I asked, swallowing the last of the bitter tea.
Matsu gathered up what little was left of the food and wrapped it back up in the furoshiki. “I followed you and the others down to the beach yesterday morning. I wondered if you might try to find your way to peace as she did.”
“I couldn’t,” I began to cry, turning away in shame. Then Matsu leaned over close to my ear. He smelled of sweat and the earth as he whispered, “It takes greater courage to live.”
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33. Spring: May 15, 1938 Quotes
My heart felt heavy knowing I wouldn't be able to see my mother or Pie anytime soon. And hard as I tried, I couldn't remember any Uncle Sing.
A sudden, high scraping noise coming from the garden startled me from my thoughts. I jumped up and hurried outside to see what it was. There in the far end of the garden was Matsu, sharpening something on a spinning grindstone.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
Matsu waited until the last turn of the wheel slowed, then came to a complete stop. He held up the knife so I could clearly see its ivory handle and honed blade. “It was my father’s fishing knife,” he said.
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Seppuku Term Timeline in The Samurai’s Garden
The timeline below shows where the term Seppuku appears in The Samurai’s Garden. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
17. Winter: December 5, 1937
...herself with her father’s fishing knife to preserve her family’s honor (a practice known as seppuku).
(full context)
31. Spring: April 15, 1938
...now.” Indeed, when Sachi was first diagnosed with leprosy, her father pressured her to commit seppuku. Before that, Sachi’s life had been mostly carefree, with days spent playing on the beach...
(full context)
