Book 2 Final Blog

Did the book come to a satisfactory end for you? Why or why not?

"The first snow had melted and frozen, and the road was icy but passable. Icicles hung from the eaves of the houses, dripping in the sun, glistening and brilliant (p. 277).


Grass for his Pillow was one of my favorite reads so far. At the end of the book Hearn leaves you in the dark on a lot of things about the still mysterious tribe. When I finished this book, I was immediately wanting to read the third book, and find out what happens in the end to Kaede and Takeo. Kaede, the whole time over coming the sexism of the era. While takeo, throughout the first half of the book having to deal with whole tribe keeping him down, then his dramatic escape. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast paced action books, with breaks for a deeper look in the culture of futal Japan.

Book 2 blog 5.

""You intrigue me" he said finally. " Very few women do. Let me show you my humble place, my meager collection." He watched over every movement she made, but not with the predatory desire of other men. Kaede realized what Shizuka had meant: If he desired her, this nobleman would want to add her to his collection. What price would he pay for her, and what could she demand? (Hearn, 102).

I find there is something very disturbing about fujuwara. He seems to go against all of the ideals for men in the time period. I'm suspicious of him. He may just not fit well into the time period. I don't know exactly what "add her to his collection" means, but it doesn't sound good.

Why is fujiwara so interested in Kaede?
What causes him to be so different from other men?
Is he really different?
How powerful is he?

Book 2 Blog 4.

"I had gone into a state I recognized. I could not explain it, but it was as familiar to me as my own skin. I did not feel either fear nor excitement. My brain switched off. I was all instinct, instinct and ears. (Hearn, 47)."

This is not the first time Takeo has described himself being in this state. I'm still trying to put a mental image on it, because it's not explained in great detail. I think that it's some kind of adrenaline rush. I wonder if he will learn to control this "instinct" better.

Why does Takeo try to get out even when his 'captors' are trying to protect him?
What is the significance of the man he meets with?
Why is the man tortured and killed just for being out?
Why is Akio so cruel to him?

Book 2 Blog 3.

"It seems Arai does want to get rid of me, as you put it. But it is planned to look like an accident, a brigand attack, something like that. He cannot bear that I should live, but does not wish to offend you outright (Hearn 18.)

To me, this makes me think Arai is less trustworthy than I previously thought. It seems like Arai is the "good guy" That Hearn led me to believe in the first book. I wonder if he will continue to do sneaky things like this throughout the book.


Is his rage really that great, so that he'd kill Shizuka?
Will he continue to be shadey?
Will he force Kaede to marry?
If so, when and who?

Book 2 Blog 2.

""You were hardly more than a child. You have changed...." "I have been made to grow up," She replied. She made an effort not to think of her borrowed robe, her complete lack of possessions. I am the heir to a great domain, she told herself( Hearn 13)"

I think that this passage is a defining passage for Kaede. It shows how she has changed due to all of the events she has undergone in the past book. I think that Kaede believes herself to be ready to take on the world and all of it's hardships, but I don't know if she really is.

Has Kaede really changed?
If so, to what extent?
Why is lord Arai so quick to throw away Shizuka, his lover.
Where is takeo?

Book 2 Blog 1.

""Nevertheless, if this became generally known, you would be punished for it. Men would think the world turned upside down if women start taking up arms and seeking revenge" "My world is turning upside down"(Hearn 7).

In the futal era of Japan women are not allowed to do anything. If a woman killed someone they would be immediately put to death. I think that this passage is foreshadowing more events in the future in which her being a woman will put her at odds-ends. I think it shows a continuing theme in the book of struggle to overcome uncontrollable obstacles.

How did Takeo make her fall asleep for so long?
What does the white goddess represent?
Is Raku a goodbye present or a token to remember takeo by?

Final book blog

"What do you think is the defining moment or moments for the main
character and/or other major characters in the book?"

Takeo, who is a youth of 16 when the story begins, has two defining moments in this book. The first turning point occurs when Takeo is rescued by Lord Shiguru. This leads to him becoming an adopted Otori lord, and even more importantly, it leads to Takeo's discovery that his father was an assassin and that he has certain special skills that mark him as a member of the Tribe. The Tribe is a group of families with supernatural abilities, and Takeo has to learn to use and control the powers he has discovered. This marks the change of Takeo's lifestyle from living in a peaceful village to learning who he really is and starting along the path of his destiny.

Takeo's other defining moment occurs near the end of the book, when he is taken by the Tribe. For Takeo, this means that he can never go back to his old way of life or he will be killed. It is the second major step in his journey to self-discovery. Unfortunately, this step also has consequences: he cannot receive his inheritence, and he can't marry Kaede, his true love.

Kaede also has a defining moment in the book. This occurs when a guard is becoming too familiar with her, and she stabs him and is rescued by Lord Arai. The episode causes the lord who should be protecting her to actually move her into his court where she can be safe. It also starts a rumor about her that she kills men who try to sleep with her. She becomes an unwitting pawn in a political scheme to kill Lord Shiguru, which eventually leads to her meeting and falling in love with Takeo.

Book Blog 5.

"I lifted the sword, felt the dull ache in my wrist, and asked Shiguru's forgiveness. The snake sword leaped and bit, and in it's last act of service to it's owner, released him into the next world (Hearn 252)."

This is the last thing takeo gets to do before he has to follow through with his deal with the tribe. With this, he basically has nothing left. The only thing he cares about is kaede, who he can never have because he must go with the tribe. I think this is one of the hardest things to do, for takeo, because shiguru is his adopted father and the the only family he has. I imagine Takeo will be very sad about this in the future.

1. How will Takeo react to having killed shiguru
2. How will this affect his actions, inthe immediate and eventual future.

Book Blog 4.

"I was silent. My head ached, and an unbearable sense of failure was creeping over me. Everything in me had been had been aimed like a spear at one target. Now the hand that had held me had been removed. I had fallen, useless, to the ground (Hearn 230)."

The quote perfectly captures the mindset of Takeo. Everything he wanted and had been living for seemly has fallen apart. The tribe has claimed him and there's no way for him to escape, it seems like he has given up.

I wonder how this will affect the out come of the Tohan - Otori unfriendliness/hatred.
What does the tribe have planned for takeo?
Will Takeo get his spirit back?
What will happen to Shiguru?

Book Blog 3.

"There was something unspeakably eerie about it. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up in warning....I stopped. Kenji stood right behind me. A girl stepped towards us, saying, "Come and look, lord." I recognized her voice, but it was a couple of moments before I placed her. Then I jumped backwards, evading Kenji and leaving my second self by the cart. It was the girl from the inn at yamagata, the girl of whom Kenji had said, "She's one of us" (210 Hearn).

This passage in the story is an epic turning point for the story. It reveals the true character of Kenji, previously thought to be the trusted tutor-like character. Takeo, who was on, I thought to be major point of the story, is suddenly abducted and taken to a hidden location, a location of the tribe. He was told the tribe would take him, but I assumed that they would 'take him' after he assassinated Lord Iida.

I want to know what caused Kenji to betray takeo.
I also want to know why the tribe chose to take him at that moment.

Book blog 2.

"The Baskets with the dying men in them were almost directly above my head. One was calling over and over again for water, one moaned wordlessly, and one was repeating the name of the secret god in a rapid monotone that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The fourth was completely silent. The smell of blood, piss, and shit was terrible. I tried to close my nostrils to it, and my ears to the sounds. I looked at my hands in the moonlight (Hearn 170.)

The passage helps the reader to get a sense of the sights smells and sounds of the area. Hearn is trying to emphasize how horrible the condition of these men are by using many different putrid smells. This is clearly a very bad place for the character to be, but you feel like you're right in the action.

How did these people end up dying in baskets?
Why has the Takeo decided to end their suffering?
What will the other characters think of his actions?

Book Blog 1.

I was thinking fleetingly of the first time I'd crossed the bridge at Hagi when I saw a drowned Heron floating in the water, its gray and white feathers waterlogged, all it's gracefulness crumpled and broken. The sight of it chilled me. I thought it was a terrible omen. "(Hearn 157).

I'm about 65% through the story, and so far the plot seems to be pretty straightforward. The passage seems to be foreshadow for bad things to come, as the characters are going into the territory of an enemy for a 'peace' marriage. The Protagonist is 'in love' with his adopted father's, Lord Shiguru, forced arranged marriage wife. Which is slightly ironic because the Shiguro is secretly in love with another woman he cannot marry. I think I have a pretty much understand the plot so far. It's pretty straightforward, and no real confusing things.

1 .Is there is going to be a revolt of the people who consider themselves Otori?
2.What does Iida has planned for the protagonist and his company when they arrive at yagahara?