Sections step 1-nine
Twenty-one-year-dated Hana Omiya, the protagonist out-of Uchida’s Photo Bride to be, is on the fresh new motorboat which is taking their own regarding The japanese so you can this new California shore because story initiate. It’s a little while within the November away from 1917, and you will Hana enjoys made a decision to hop out her town out of Oka to have a separate life in the united states. Taro resides in Oakland. The wedding could have been developed courtesy Taro’s bro and you may Hana’s parents. Hana encouraged that it commitment therefore she might avoid the fresh drudgeries of to get an excellent Japanese farmer’s partner. Taro are a decade over the age of Hana and you may presumably the owner out of a flourishing business.
Whenever Hana very first hears out of Taro Takeda, she imagines you to a life while the their spouse was reduced confining than just their prospects within the an arranged marriage inside her quick town
Very she decides to utilize this unfamiliar mans you desire for a wife. She options aside by yourself the very first time within her life and you will suffers the fresh much time water journey. As she spends the cold weeks into the vessel, she fantasizes from the their future lives because spouse of good vendor. She is upbeat you to her existence would-be relaxing, that have easy privileges. At the conclusion of the newest trip, she’s desperate to initiate their new way life. Waiting for their unique is Taro Takeda, the first of a lot downfalls you to fade Hana’s dreams. Taro is much over the age of he appears on the picture the guy sent their own, and you can Hana begins to inquire, on meeting him, in the event that she’s produced a mistake. Taro takes Hana so you’re able to their household members, Kiku and you will Henry Toda.
Hana will remain into the Todas till the marriage. Kiku is even an image bride to be and you may entirely understands the difficulties one set to come to own Hana. That have Kiku Hana starts to understand how much she need certainly to transform to help you squeeze into this japanese dating app for foreigners new American people. Hana’s clothes are completely wrong, she observes. She has nothing but kimonos to put on. Even their own boots must be altered. Kiku support Hana create such styles transitions by providing her particular out of their clothing. Kiku’s loving identity helps make Hana getting a lot more comfortable. Hana plus relishes the very thought of confidentiality, when Kiku also offers Hana an alternative rooms to utilize. It will be the first time one to Hana have actually ever slept by yourself. Kiku demonstrates to you that People in the us think privacy a necessity, hence really stands during the stark compare to the overall public ambiance away from Japanese lives.
Towards the after the Weekend, Taro requires Hana to help you their church. Taro is actually an effective Religious and incredibly far involved in the Japanese church it sit in. Reverend Okada ‘s the head associated with church and you will a pal regarding Taro’s. From inside the sermon, Reverend Okada mentions the difficulties the japanese congregation need face in the fresh new homes, a place that is not always welcoming so you can Japanese faces. Hana is shocked to listen so it. After the services, Taro raises Hana to a few out-of his most other family relations, also Dr. Sojiro Kaneda and you will Kiyoshi Yamaka, men alongside Hana’s decades exactly who shows instantaneous demand for Hana. Hana are flattered by Kiyoshi’s focus and you will discovers you to she as well try attracted to your. Immediately following dinner, Kiyoshi drives Hana and you will Taro in order to Taro’s store.
Hana is shocked from the shabbiness of one’s shop, someone else regarding her failures. Shortly after dining restaurants for the Todas, Hana reveals their particular frustration in order to Kiku. Kiku says to Hana never to create their own aspirations so big. They are residing in a nation that doesn’t trust otherwise particularly him or her, Kiku says to Hana. She following reminds Hana you to definitely she has come to create Taro happy hence Hana should make the very best of it. Kiku worries about Hana and have notices the fresh interest between Hana and you will Kiyoshi. Kiku actively works to generate Hana’s relationships breathtaking and rush their thickness. The marriage is defined to occur in two months. Hana reluctantly adjusts so you can marriage. She also gets active for the Taro’s team, offering it the new very-titled female’s touch, for example she cleans and you can organizes the spot.