The Struggle Over Departure

The Character of Rain

This flow traces the Narrator (God)'s struggle to hold onto Japan after learning that diplomatic life will force the family to leave.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Home Claimed A Home Claimed from "The Character of Rain". A Home Claimed Daily belonging The Narrator (God) builds a world around Nishio-san, the garden, and the mountain landscape.

A Home Claimed from "The Character of Rain". A Home Claimed Daily belonging The Narrator (God) builds a world around Nishio-san, the garden, and the mountain landscape.

A Home Claimed Daily belonging The Narrator (God) builds a world around Nishio-san, the garden, and the mountain landscape. Japanese food, language, and custom make the child feel chosen and at home. A country of the self The child openly declares an intention to become Japanese. Belonging is understood as lived attachment rather than a matter of family origin.

Nishio-san Might Leave Nishio-san Might Leave from "The Character of Rain". Nishio-san Might Leave A first threat of separation Nishio-san announces that she may leave because she is tired and must care for her daughters.

Nishio-san Might Leave from "The Character of Rain". Nishio-san Might Leave A first threat of separation Nishio-san announces that she may leave because she is tired and must care for her daughters.

Nishio-san Might Leave A first threat of separation Nishio-san announces that she may leave because she is tired and must care for her daughters. The child hears the news as a personal catastrophe rather than an ordinary change in employment. Loss expands in scope Mother then explains that the entire family will eventually leave Japan. The two threats converge, making it seem that every part of the child’s world is temporary.

A Future Without a Date A Future Without a Date from "The Character of Rain". A Future Without a Date No destination known Mother says the family will leave because Father is a diplomat, but cannot say where or when.

A Future Without a Date from "The Character of Rain". A Future Without a Date No destination known Mother says the family will leave because Father is a diplomat, but cannot say where or when.

A Future Without a Date No destination known Mother says the family will leave because Father is a diplomat, but cannot say where or when. The lack of a specific destination gives the child no practical way to prepare. Reason cannot comfort The Narrator (God) asks why Father must obey Belgium and protests that it cannot punish him from far away. Adult explanations only confirm that the child has no authority over the decision.

The Catastrophe Deferred The Catastrophe Deferred from "The Character of Rain". The Catastrophe Deferred A promise of more time Father says the family will remain in Japan for two or three more years.

The Catastrophe Deferred from "The Character of Rain". The Catastrophe Deferred A promise of more time Father says the family will remain in Japan for two or three more years.

The Catastrophe Deferred A promise of more time Father says the family will remain in Japan for two or three more years. The child recognizes that this is a reprieve, not a cancellation of departure. Attachment deepens The certainty of future loss alters how the Narrator (God) loves the present. Rather than withdrawing, the child resolves to give Nishio-san more affection while there is time.

Memory as Resistance Memory as Resistance from "The Character of Rain". Memory as Resistance A command to remember At the playground, the child repeatedly says that it must remember.

Memory as Resistance from "The Character of Rain". Memory as Resistance A command to remember At the playground, the child repeatedly says that it must remember.

Memory as Resistance A command to remember At the playground, the child repeatedly says that it must remember. Memory becomes a deliberate answer to a future in which place, language, and people will be lost. Loss written into identity The Narrator (God) imagines preserving experience through the mind as if it were written text. The anticipated departure begins a lifelong practice of turning attachment into recollection.

Spring and summer 1970

At age three, after the household dispute

The conversation after Nishio-san's resignation announcement

Later that day

The day after the departure conversation