The Sign of the Chrysanthemum, by Katherine Paterson, is about a boy named Muna, which means “no name.” He was born in Awa, Japan. He never knew his father, and all my mother ever told him about his father was that he was a Samurai, he lived in the capital, and he had a tattoo of a chrysanthemum on his left shoulder. This was the only way she knew him, by the sign of the chrysanthemum.
When his mother dies, he travels to Heiankyo, the City of Eternal Peace, to search for his father. He stows away on a ship, where he meets a ronin named Takanobu who is kind but seems to lack honor.
The story revolves around the city and the historical feud between the Heike and the Genji. Though the feud is not the central issue of the story, it does serve to add conflict to the story. There are many elements of traditional Japanese culture winding through the book, lending to its credibility, without stereotyping. Everything is extremely reserved, down to the tone of the book. The characters do not speak a great deal, but everything they say is important. That thrift in verbal speaking is very Japanese. Also, the book does not sugar coat anything the way western literature often does. Muna’s friend, Akiko is sold into prostitution. Muna is taken advantage of by Takanubo, and the book ends without a joyful finally. If this book were non-linear, I would not think it had been written by a westerner.
The illustrations are adequate, and do add something to the story. I did find myself stopping to really examine them. I would not have missed them had they not been there. However, if I were not familiar with Japanese culture and costume, they would have been very helpful in helping me suspend my disbelief.
I like Paterson as a writer, and while this book did not disappoint, it was not her finest work, in my opinion.