Samurai's Garden

Throughout Stephen's visit in Tarumi, Japan, he has several influences that turn the adolescent, naïve boy he once was in China, into a mature, wise man he became in Japan. Stephen, a boy from China with Tuberculosis, stays in Tarumi, Japan at his grandfather's beach house with Matsu, the care taker of the house. Matsu is a quiet man who keeps to himself, but when Matsu does say something, it's important. Wise is one of the many words to describe Matsu. Not only is he wise, but the inner strength and respect he has for people rubs off on Stephen to show there is a lot more to someone than you think.

Once day, Matsu take's Stephen to Yamaguchi, a village in the mountains away from Tarumi where the people who have Leprosy live, Lepers. Sachi, a great friend of Matsu, welcomes Stephen into her home as well as her life. Sachi becomes of great importance to Stephen because not only she a friend to Stephen, but she also plays the role of the mother figure, while Stephen is away from his family. She, like Stephen, is considered an outcast. Her disease deformed the left side of her face and Stephen is a Chinese boy with Tuberculosis, while there is a war with Japan and China going on. Sachi influences him with not only her wisdom, but the acceptance she has towards her condition and people. Stephen realizes there is always beauty out of every situation.

Finally, the last influences on Stephen are the New Year's festival, the celebration of the new houses in Yamaguchi and Kenzo's funeral he takes part in. In all of these moments, Stephen was incorporated with the people like a family. Although they might not be his biological family, they are accepting, and caring like a family would be. The New Year's celebration showed how Stephen would rather stay with his "new" family than go back to his damaged one in China. The celebration of new houses in Yamaguchi show's how the people of Yamaguchi honored him and respected him. He was accepted to these people and never felt more welcome. Even though Stephen hardly knew Kenzo, this showed he felt comfortable enough to show up to his funeral and pay his respects. That was the honorable, mature thing to do.