Immigrant Identity

Navigating her identity as a Japanese American is something Izumi struggles with throughout the novel. Because Izumi’s grandparents felt pressured to assimilate to American culture, they never passed down their knowledge of Japanese to Hanako. This generational gap in knowledge leaves Izumi feeling lost and broken.

One way that Izumi and Hanako try to maintain their connection to Japan is through the celebration of various customs. Izumi says, “But some traditions refuse to fade. They seep through the cracks and cling to the walls—remove your shoes before entering the house, always bring a gift when visiting someone for the first time, celebrate the New Year by eating Toshikoshi soba and mochi. The promise of that ghost life makes me yearn. I want to understand myself. I want to put my hands in the earth and pull up roots” (21). While Izumi is undoubtedly grateful...