# Mother — A Daughter of the Samurai character guide > Mother in A Daughter of the Samurai by Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Honourable Mother, Poor Mother, Mother Goose **First appearance:** 0003-a-daughter-of-the-samurai ## Snapshot A samurai wife who hides a death-robe beneath ordinary silk and walks through rain and darkness to keep a promise no one else can hear. ## Who they are Mother rules the household with quiet severity, teaching Etsu that honor is worn like a garment and that a samurai's wife must be ready for anything. Her marriage is distant and formal, yet when her husband is taken prisoner she disguises her son, straps on her dagger, and goes to meet him — trusting a stranger's word because he is a samurai. She is the moral spine of Etsu's childhood, and her example of silent courage shadows every choice her daughter later makes. ## Relationships ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/father) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply traditional and supportive of each other within the samurai household. ### [Hanano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/hanano) _family_ Mother and daughter, with Hanano being a caring and dutiful child to her mother. ### [Ishi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/ishi) _family_ Servant and mistress, with Ishi being a loyal household helper to the mother. ### [Matsuo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/matsuo) _family_ Son and mother, with Matsuo being a respectful and traditional son. ### [Chiyo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/chiyo) _family_ Daughter and mother, with Chiyo being a younger sibling figure under the mother's care. ### [Brother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/brother) _family_ Son and mother, with a close bond of respect and affection. ### [Mrs. Sugimoto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/mrs_sugimoto) _social_ Acquaintances or neighbors, with Mrs. Sugimoto being a fellow woman in the community. ### [Goro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/goro) _family_ Son and mother, with Goro being another child of the mother. ### [Ishi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/ishi) _family_ Servant and mistress, with Ishi being a loyal household helper to the mother. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/father) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply traditional and supportive of each other within the samurai household. ### [Goro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/goro) _family_ Son and mother, with Goro being another child of the mother. ### [Hanano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/hanano) _family_ Mother and daughter, with Hanano being a caring and dutiful child to her mother. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/dedication) One of the two mothers to whom the book is dedicated, representing the author's Japanese heritage. ### [A Daughter of the Samurai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/a-daughter-of-the-samurai) Portrayed as a figure of quiet strength and duty, upholding family traditions. ### [I: Winters in Echigo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/i-winters-in-echigo) She burned the family mansion during the Restoration to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. ### [Curly Hair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/ii-curly-hair) Scolds Etsu for complaining about her curly hair, reminding her that a samurai's daughter should not resemble a beast. ### [Days of Kan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/iii-days-of-kan) She expresses concern about the severity of Etsu-bo's studies, but defers to her husband's samurai philosophy of discipline. ### [The Old and the New](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/iv-the-old-and-the-new) Appears thoughtful and solemn, giving directions to maids about the meat's arrival. ### [Falling Leaves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/v-falling-leaves) Decorates a farm horse to resemble a war steed for Father; expresses sadness seeing him in his old glory. ### [A Sunny New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/vi-a-sunny-new-year) Calm and quiet but with a sad smile; fulfills duties during the mourning period and hosts New Year gatherings with dignity. ### [The Wedding That Never Was](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/vii-the-wedding-that-never-was) Receives the letter announcing her son's return and shows restrained emotion during his homecoming. ### [Two Ventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/viii-two-ventures) Gives Sister the mirror-case and speaks the traditional bride's admonition; deeply moved during the ceremony. ### [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 a rare kakemono from the godown and keeps Father's picture in the shrine. ### [X: The Day of the Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/x-the-day-of-the-bird) Mother prepares Etsu-bo for her betrothal and later discusses the difficult decision to send her to America, showing her calm resignation and care. ### [XI: My First Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xi-my-first-journey) Etsu-bo bids goodbye to Mother before departing. ### [Travel Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xii-travel-education) Remembered for her quiet compassion in helping Miyo and her lover escape public disgrace, showing her adherence to duty yet deep kindness. ### [Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xiv-lessons) Sent Etsu-bo Japanese books, including Hakkenden, when she requested them. ### [How I Became a Christian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xv-how-i-became-a-christian) Initially surprised by Etsu's request to become a Christian, but gives consent after learning it does not require disrespect to ancestors; suffers from asthma and bears hardship with pride. ### [Sailing Unknown Seas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xvi-sailing-unknown-seas) Reads Matsuo's letter with hidden tears, finds comfort in the thought of a kind American woman guiding her daughter, and insists on traditional bridal preparations despite her son's objections. ### [First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xvii-first-impressions) Etsu's American mother-in-law, who teaches her about American ways and shares conversations about marriage customs. ### [Strange Customs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xviii-strange-customs) Mentioned as a wonderful source of information about Japanese customs. ### [XIX: Thinking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xix-thinking) Quoted regarding the custom of kissing; her dignified bow and farewell are recalled as expressions of deep love. ### [XX: Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xx-neighbours) Tells Etsu about Mrs. Newton's brave act of shooting a snake to save her birds, illustrating hidden strength. ### [New Experiences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxi-new-experiences) Engages in a poetry contest with Etsu, plants morning-glory seeds around the well, and agrees to the name Hanano. ### [Flower in a Strange Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxii-flower-in-a-strange-land) Sends Buddhist picture-books to warn Etsu against selfish love, showing her gentle guidance. ### [Flower in a Strange Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxii-flower-in-a-strange-land) Observes Matsuo's fatherly devotion and remarks on his unselfishness. ### [XXIV: In Japan Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxiv-in-japan-again) Sends the progressive Tokyo uncle to represent Etsu's family at the council. ### [Our Tokyo Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxv-our-tokyo-home) Decides to come live with Etsu-bo but sends Taki ahead as an interim chaperon and housekeeper. ### [XXVII: Honourable Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxvii-honourable-grandmother) Arrives as Honourable Grandmother; she is gentle, traditional, and deeply Buddhist, but open to accompanying Chiyo to church. She prepares her nail clippings for burial and speaks of her impending death. ### [Sister's Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxviii-sister-s-visit) Suffering from asthma; enjoys her daughter's visit and the family stories. ### [A Lady of Old Japan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxix-a-lady-of-old-japan) Central figure of the chapter; her life story is told from marriage through war, hiding, and her final request for the ceremony for 'The Nameless'. ### [The White Cow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxx-the-white-cow) Referenced as lying buried beside her husband in Nagaoka; her memory is honored during the visit. ### [Worthless Treasures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/chapters/xxxi-worthless-treasures) Recalled as giving away paper from the saihai for healing, and her funeral is referenced. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_daughter_of_the_samurai_se/characters/mother - 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