Matsu gathered up what little was left of the food and wrapped it back up in the furoshiki. 'I followed you and the others down to the beach yesterday morning. I wondered if you might try to find your way to peace as she did.'' I couldn't, ' I began to cry, turning away in shame. Then Matsu leaned over close to my ear. He smelled of sweat and the earth as he whispered, 'It takes greater courage to live. Gail Tsukiyama
About This Quote

Matsu, along with the Yoshino sisters, were the main characters in the novel. Matsu was placed in charge of taking care of the body of Shizuka after she drowned. He was extremely eager to do so and did not even allow himself to think about what he was doing. He did not want to consider that this might be his last act on earth.

Matsu's job was to take care of Shizuka's remains by wrapping her body in a furoshiki (a traditional Japanese cloth), preparing her for burial, and then making sure her remains were placed in the family crypt. He did all this without thinking twice about it. At one point, he even begins to cry because he believes that he will never get to return to his home village again.

Source: The Samurais Garden

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