"Words could be altered and manipulated to mean almost anything. If a prophecy was believed, it often came true. He would not utter the words, in case by doing so he breathed life into them." Takeo, Chapter One, page 11

"'They are learning good manners from our people.'" Hana, talking about the foreigners, Chapter Five, page 59

"'I was a young man then, and fearless. I did not believe anyone could kill me. Now I am old, crippled and I fear far more... for my children, and my wife, and for my land and people...'" Takeo, Chapter Twelve, page 127

"'It is not right to want to send your own daughter away and favour other people's sons.'" Maya talking to Kaede, Chapter Twenty, page 213

"Now he saw the same strength in his daughter, and felt a kind of release deep within him. Whatever happened to him, he had...