Sections 5 through 8 Summary and Analysis

Kendo

Kendo is taught at the Kuroda Primary School in fifth grade. Akira shows potential skill and begs his father to arrange for private lessons for him at Ochiai, a renowned kendo school. His father agrees but insists that he follow a rigorous schedule. He takes his kendo lessons before school. It takes Akira an hour and half to walk there each morning. After that, he has to walk to his shrine, walk home for breakfast and walk to school. After school he takes calligraphy lessons and then before going home for the day, walks with Uekusa for additional lessons at Mr. Tachikawa's house. He maintains this schedule for several years.

Even though she is gentle and quiet, Akira sees his mother as the stronger and more practical of his parents. His father, though appearing strict and disciplined, is...