# Chiyo — A Daughter of the Samurai character guide

> Chiyo in A Daughter of the Samurai by Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** little Chiyo

**First appearance:** 0026-xxiii-chiyo

## Snapshot

Etsu's daughter, born in America, whose existence bridges the two worlds her mother spent a lifetime learning to hold together.

## Who they are

Chiyo arrives in Etsu's life after the long crossing from Japan to America, a child of the new country rather than the old. She is the living proof that Etsu's two selves, samurai daughter and American wife, can coexist in a single person. Her presence in the later arc gives Etsu's story its forward motion, asking what is passed on when a mother has had to reinvent herself entirely.

## Relationships

### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/mother)

_family_

Daughter and mother, with Chiyo being a younger sibling figure under the mother's care.

### [Hanano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/hanano)

_family_

Sisters, with Chiyo and Hanano having a close sibling bond.

### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/mother)

_family_

Daughter and mother, with Chiyo being a younger sibling figure under the mother's care.

### [Hanano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/hanano)

_family_

Sisters, with Chiyo and Hanano having a close sibling bond.

### [Hanano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/hanano)

_family_

Sisters, with Chiyo and Hanano having a close sibling bond.

### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/mother)

_family_

Daughter and mother, with Chiyo being a younger sibling figure under the mother's care.

## In the story

### [Chiyo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxiii-chiyo)

Newborn baby sister of Hanano; described as black-haired and pink-faced.

### [Our Tokyo Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxv-our-tokyo-home)

Etsu-bo's younger daughter, who is shown the wonders of the new home and is comforted after feeling homesick for America.

### [XXVI: Tragic Trifles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxvi-tragic-trifles)

Attends a model kindergarten; swaps bedcovers with Hanano and participates in recreating their American home in the garden.

### [XXVII: Honourable Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxvii-honourable-grandmother)

Affectionate and curious, she quickly bonds with her grandmother, accompanies her to temple and church, and asks direct questions about death and faith.

### [Sister's Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxviii-sister-s-visit)

Sits with folded hands, gazing at her sister Hanano with admiration.

### [The White Cow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxx-the-white-cow)

Hesitant about leaving Japan but curious about America; shows alarm at the white cow story.

### [Worthless Treasures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxxi-worthless-treasures)

Discovers the bathtub and other items, showing a childlike wonder and making comparisons to America.

### [The Black Ships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxxii-the-black-ships)

Excitedly claims friendship ribbons for family and teacher before the departure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/chiyo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters