Dedication
The author who dedicates her memories to her two mothers.
Acknowledgment to Nancy Virginia Austen
The author, referred to as 'a little Etsu-bo,' who is motivated to preserve samurai spirit.
A Daughter of the Samurai
Introduced as a young girl, Etsu-bo, learning the ways of her samurai family.
I: Winters in Echigo
The narrator recalls her childhood in Echigo, including playing in snow tunnels and peeping at a foreign visitor.
Curly Hair
Recalls childhood humiliation over curly hair and participates in the temple rebuilding procession.
Days of Kan
As a young girl, she studies Confucian classics, learns domestic arts, and enjoys stories and games, all under the strict samurai discipline of her family.
The Old and the New
Recalls her first taste of meat at age eight and her secret enjoyment of it, despite loyalty to Grandmother.
Falling Leaves
Recalls the last Castle Sinking Celebration and her loneliness after her father and Jiya leave for Tokyo.
A Sunny New Year
Reflects on the loneliness after Father's death and finds comfort in temple visits; enjoys the New Year festivities and the walk with Ishi.
The Wedding That Never Was
Observes her brother's return and struggles with mixed feelings about his changed demeanor.
Two Ventures
Describes Sister's wedding and Brother's return from America, reflecting on family traditions and fate.
The Story of a Marionette
As a child, she receives gifts from her unknown grandmother and later learns the tragic story of her grandmother's life.
X: The Day of the Bird
Etsu-bo is the focus of the betrothal ceremony and the decision to go to America; she begins to mature as she is consulted in family matters for the first time.
XI: My First Journey
Etsu-bo makes her first journey to Tokyo, feeling both elation and regret as she leaves home.
Travel Education
Reflects on family history and her own future during the journey; feels shame over kago sickness but learns from her brother's teasing.
XIII: Foreigners
Attends mission school in Tokyo, struggles with cultural transition and homesickness.
Lessons
Reflects on her school days, her love for Western books, and her struggle with English.
How I Became a Christian
Describes her spiritual development and conversion to Christianity, her childhood questions about fate and womanhood, and her rebellion against the subjugation of women.
Sailing Unknown Seas
Returns to Nagaoka as an educated woman, prepares for her marriage and journey to America, and experiences culture shock upon arrival in San Francisco.
First Impressions
Reflects on her first year in America, navigating cultural differences and learning American customs.
Strange Customs
Reflects on cultural differences between Japan and America, trying to explain Japanese customs to Americans and vice versa.
XIX: Thinking
Reflects on Japanese emotional restraint, cultural differences in affection, and the degradation of Japanese art standards.
XX: Neighbours
Engages in a debate with Miss Helen about the nature of Japanese and American women, and reflects on her changing views of tradition and progress.
New Experiences
Recites Japanese flower poems, plants morning-glory seeds, gives birth to Hanano, and reflects on cultural differences during Christmas and snowman-building.
Flower in a Strange Land
Reflects on her devotion to her baby and receives a lesson from her mother through Buddhist picture-books.
Chiyo
Tells Hanano stories of Japan and sings lullabies to baby Chiyo; reflects on her husband's death and the necessity of returning to Japan.
XXIV: In Japan Again
Returns to Japan as a widow, struggles to assert authority over her children's education against traditional family norms.
Our Tokyo Home
Settles into her new Tokyo home, tries to balance her American-influenced ideas with traditional expectations, and lovingly shows Chiyo around the house.
XXVI: Tragic Trifles
Works tirelessly to secure education for her daughters, tutors Hanano, and reflects on the emotional toll of cultural displacement.
XXVII: Honourable Grandmother
Arranges the home to feel familiar for her mother, worries about blending old and new ways, and observes the growing bond between her mother and children.
Sister's Visit
Invites her sister to Tokyo to cheer Mother; reflects on how her time in America changed her associations with names like Mary.
A Lady of Old Japan
Listens to Sister's story, reflects on Mother's life, and participates in the funeral rites, blending Buddhist and Christian prayers.
The White Cow
Petitions the family council to return to America with her children; reflects on the changes in Nagaoka and her own past.
Worthless Treasures
Leads the children through Sister's godown, reflecting on family treasures and memories.
The Black Ships
Reflects on her childhood memory of the black ships as she prepares to sail to America.
