The Samurai’s Garden is a story about Stephen, a young man who has tuberculosis. He is taken to Tarumi, a peaceful village in the countryside, to change his life. He meets Sachi and Matsu when he arrives at Tarumi for the first time. Sachi is a special character who gives him valuable lessons. Sachi, a beautiful young woman, was loved by all in the village before Stephen. All this was before the Japanese leprosy epidemic. Many people were infected across Japan, including many Tarumi areas. Sachi was unfortunately among those who were infected. Sachi finds herself in a difficult situation when this happens. She has limited knowledge of the obstacles at the time.
Sachi proves that she can overcome fears and overcome obstacles by gaining wisdom from her experiences. The author uses Sachi’s thoughts about honor in Japan and her experience with leprosy to illustrate that one must take time and understand the obstacles. Sachi was a gorgeous Japanese girl during her entire life. Sachi was loved deeply by her family. Sachi lived a happy life. Her family and Kenzo, a young Japanese man, loved her and loved her back. Kenzo was considered to be a lover during this period. Sachi was also diagnosed with leprosy. Sachi, along with her family, contracted the disease. Sachi was required to honor her family and commit suicide in order to protect her honor. Sachi recalls that she had twice shamed her family at seventeen. Her father asked me to do the right thing and kill myself to keep my family’s honor. (79). This also demonstrates the strictness of her family’s Japanese honor code system. She was disgraced by her family for her decision to not commit suicide and was left alone due to the code of honor. Because of her behavior, her family decided not to have any contact with her. She explains that she has brought great disgrace to my family by not taking my own life” (109). This is a clear indication of how important her family’s honor is and their place within society. Her relationship with Kenzo, as well her family’s, was altered by the Japanese codes. This is a major obstacle for her since it means that she does not have any family or loved ones because of her honor code. Stephen finally tells Sachi that it doesn’t really matter if her honor affects Stephens and Matsu’s love for her. This is the moment she overcomes all her obstacles. She finally realizes that her honor doesn’t matter to those who love and care about her. She struggles to comprehend this for a while, but it is finally clear when she sees the Japanese code. It was a difficult adversity to overcome. Sachi also overcomes adversity by understanding and taking time. Sachi became permanently affected by leprosy after she was diagnosed. Sachi was shocked to discover that she had leprosy in her early stages. She covered her arm with rashes because she felt ashamed of what it could do. Soon the rashes spread and remained on her body. People recognized the symptoms and began to isolate her. Sachi was aware that her leprosy would make her isolated and an outsider in society. She kept it secret from all people. Sachi’s experiences with leprosy have had many negative effects on her life. These are the reasons why she was able to learn from her mistakes and move on. Sachi was not the only one who went to Yamaguchi as a refuge from being judged or isolated for her leprosy. Sachi’s life can be changed by the adversity of leprosy. Matsu discusses Yamaguchi. He reveals the immense negativity of leprosy. This passage shows the extent of the disease’s impact on lives. Sachi has spent her entire adult life trying to conquer the leprosy.
Sachi is forced to reevaluate her choices about how she lives after Kenzo’s passing. Matsu reminds Sachi that it takes more courage than ever to live. This is when Matsu’s comments to Sachi have a ripple effect on Sachi’s ability to overcome leprosy. Sachi believed that leprosy was a serious problem. Kenzo called Sachi “a monster”. Tarumi judged people on their beauty. Sachi regrets how the leprosy affected her beauty throughout her entire life. Sachi covered her face with a scarf. In private, Stephen and Sachi talk about leprosy during the portion of the story. Stephen touches Sachi’s skin, and she is amazed. She was afraid that she would be touched by strangers, but he reached over to touch her face. Sachi is finally accepted by Stephen after they have talked for a while. It took Sachi time to understand that her leprosy journey was not a linear one. She is unique in her own way. She was able overcome this obstacle and to finally beat the disease.
The Samurai’s Garden is a book about Sachi’s struggle with the Japanese code for honor. Sachi’s leprosy experience was used to show how she overcame her difficulties. If one has the courage to face this obstacle and understands it, then they can overcome it. Sachi was forced to overcome the Japanese code of honour, which was a very difficult obstacle. It impacted her life in a way that made it impossible to love and care for her family. Sachi’s leprosy history has had a profound impact on her life. Since the day she got it, her love and appearance as well her position in society were affected. Stephen helped her understand this. Sachi’s different obstacles, leprosy experience and Japanese honour code, made a huge difference in her life.
