The Samurai's Garden

The brightness of summer brings Stephen to Tarumi with Matsu for the first time since Kenzo’s funeral. The teahouse remains closed. Stephen has learned that Ba-Ba will visit; Stephen mails letters to his mother and Pie letting them know that he is fine. Leaving the post office, he sees Keiko coming confidently toward him. She tells him that she feared he might have returned to Hong Kong and asks him to meet her the next day at the Tama shrine. She touches his hand gently before walking away.

When Matsu and Stephen return home, Sachi is there. She informs them that Hiro has passed away in his sleep. Matsu returns to Yamaguchi with Sachi, leaving Stephen to rest. Stephen feels “growing pains,” deaths and endings, “the dull ache of being pulled in other directions” (165).

Matsu has not returned from Yamaguchi overnight. Stephen meets Keiko at the shrine. She has brought a furoshiki packed with food and tea. They share the refreshments, then Stephen reclines. He notices Keiko’s “scent of jasmine” (166) very close.