Sushi

Throughout the novel, sushi is used as a symbol of Japan, Hiruko and Susanoo's country of origin, which is never referred to by name. When Hiruko and Knut meet one another for the first time, they go to a restaurant, and Knut asks Hiruko, "How about Finnish home cooking—sushi, for instance" (12). Hiruko tells Knut that sushi is not Finnish, but does not tell him that it is a popular food in Japan. Later, Tenzo refers to Japan as the "land of sushi" (82) when explaining that many people mistook him for Japanese. When discussing Japan, sushi is often used euphemistically or symbolically.

Panska

Panska, Hiruko's homemade language, is a symbol of multiculturalism and immigration. Hiruko creates Panska by melding the different languages of the Scandinavian countries she has lived in, and it can be understood by most people living in the Scandinavian region. She says of...