Characters
Who is the main protagonist of the story?
Who is Taro?
What major event causes Taro to leave his home?
What is the invasion by Shingen's army and the slaughter of his family?
In which country does the story take place?
What is Japan?
What does the term "samurai" mean?
What is a warrior in feudal Japan?
What type of figurative language is used in the phrase "the wind howled like a wolf"?
What is a simile?
Who is Taro's father figure when he arrives at Akiyama's mansion?
Who is Togan?
What happens to Yone after they travel to Lord Akiyama's mansion?
What is she disappears?
Where does Taro move after leaving his home?
What is Kofuchu?
Define "daimyo."
What is a feudal lord?
Identify an example of personification from the book.
What is when the trees “whisper secrets”?
Answers will vary.
Who becomes a mentor to Taro?
Who is Lord Akiyama?
What is at a wrestling match, stabbed twice in the chest?
What is the name of the castle where Taro gets promoted to messenger?
What is Ida Castle?
What is the meaning of "bushido"?
What is the way of the warrior?
What does Taro mean when he describes his heart as “heavy like a stone”?
What is a metaphor for sadness?
What is the name of Taro's new friend?
Who is Yoskitoki?
What happens at Toko-Ji Temple?
What is Katsuyori kills his brother Yoshinobu and makes it look like seppuku?
What happened at the old man's hut?
What is he turned out to be a ghost and told Taro & Yoshi their futures?
What does "katana" refer to in the context of the story?
What is a traditional Japanese sword?
Give an example of imagery from chapters 1-12.
Answers will vary.
What are the names of Takeda Shingen's two sons?
What are all of the events in our novel leading up to?
What is war between Lord Akiyama and Oda Nobunaga?
What role does the castle play in Taro's life and development?
What is it serves as a place of learning, safety, and a new beginning?
What does "honor" mean to Taro and the samurai?
What is a code of conduct and respect?
Explain the effect of using hyperbole in Taro’s storytelling.
What emphasizes emotions or experiences?