# Ishi — A Daughter of the Samurai character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Kind old Ishi

**First appearance:** 0004-i-winters-in-echigo

## Snapshot

Kind old Ishi tends Etsu in childhood, one of the gentle servants whose care shapes the samurai daughter's earliest sense of home.

## Who they are

Ishi is part of the intimate household world that surrounds Etsu before the family's fortunes change, a servant whose kindness is woven into the texture of daily life. Where rank and ceremony govern so much of the mansion, Ishi's care offers something warmer and more personal. She matters because she represents the tender, human side of the old order, the affection that survives even as the structures around it begin to give way.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Servant and mistress, with Ishi being a loyal household helper to the mother.

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

_family_

Servant and mistress, with Ishi being a loyal household helper to the mother.

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

_family_

Servant and mistress, with Ishi being a loyal household helper to the mother.

## In the story

### [I: Winters in Echigo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/i-winters-in-echigo)

The narrator's nurse, part of the household.

### [Curly Hair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/ii-curly-hair)

Kind nurse who cuts off her own hair and offers it at the temple, praying for Etsu's hair to become straight.

### [Days of Kan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/iii-days-of-kan)

The kind servant who tells Etsu-bo stories at bedtime, helps her with tasks on the day of writing practice, and secretly cries while watching her freeze during penmanship.

### [Falling Leaves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/v-falling-leaves)

Mentioned as one who painted pictures of the castle for Etsu-bo.

### [A Sunny New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/vi-a-sunny-new-year)

Her cheerful voice has grown lifeless; accompanies Etsu on a memorable New Year walk through the streets of Nagaoka.

### [The Wedding That Never Was](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/vii-the-wedding-that-never-was)

Expresses deep emotion over the family's reconciliation, weeping with relief and gratitude.

### [Two Ventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/viii-two-ventures)

Takes the place of Sister's nurse in the wedding procession and tells the story of Taro.

### [The Story of a Marionette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/ix-the-story-of-a-marionette)

She brings the narrator the hair ornament from Honourable Edo Grandmother and helps her dress for the festival.

### [X: The Day of the Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/x-the-day-of-the-bird)

Ishi helps dye silk and prepare Etsu-bo's garments for school, and is involved in the betrothal preparations.

### [XI: My First Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xi-my-first-journey)

Ishi carefully tucks Etsu-bo into her jinrikisha at the start of the journey.

### [XIII: Foreigners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xiii-foreigners)

Recalled dressing young Etsu-bo in foreign clothes brought by Father.

### [How I Became a Christian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xv-how-i-became-a-christian)

Comforts young Etsu when she rebels against fate, explaining that Mother bears suffering silently because of the unworthiness of woman.

### [Strange Customs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xviii-strange-customs)

Recalled receiving a Turkish towel from Father and wearing it proudly to temple service.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/ishi
- 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