Chapter 7 Summary

The family arrives in Japan, where they expect to be cared for by Yoko's grandparents. They report to the refuge camp, and the next day Mother tries to contact her parents in Aomori by mail. The mail is returned as undeliverable. They stay for weeks waiting for Hideyo to arrive, but then leave for Aomori by train. Mother decides that Ko and Yoko should stay in Kyoto and attend school, so the family gets off the train at the Kyoto station. Mother arranges for the school and continues on to Aomori. Yoko notices that Mother takes a big wrapping cloth with her to the restroom, which seems a strange thing to do.

On a streetcar that takes them to the Sagano Girl's School, Mother points out landmarks for Yoko. Kyoto is still in good shape, because the city was not bombed during the...