Rice

Rice is the central food source in Japan. It is a symbol of life and hope. Even though Jiichan and Baachan are able to raise some other foods, they feel the need for rice. When Hanako returns home with the two bags of rice they got on the black market, Baachan says she feels the “spirit” of the rice when she touches the bag. Hanako does not feel that, but she does feel hopeful, which is another aspect of this symbolism.

The Abacus

The abacus is a tool the Japanese children use to do math, and it is a symbol of the differences between the American way of doing math and the Japanese way.

The Restaurant in Los Angeles

Tadashi opened this restaurant, which was symbolic of his hope that Hanako and Akira would have a better future. That symbolism was so ingrained in Hanako that...