Snow falling on Cedars

When we look at Hatsue Miyamoto and Ishmael Chambers, who became friends as small children we notice that such a relationship is doomed to fail under the circumstances of that time. As a young American boy, Ishmael had a deep friendship with a local Japanese girl. They spent a lot of time together and played on the beach however they felt a strong connection between them. To be more precisely one noticed that Ishmael’s feelings were stronger. Yeats passed and the first kiss happened.
The same situation happened four years later but the importance of this kiss was more serious. For him it was an overwhelming situation and in the contrary it was just an experience for her. But then again as teenagers they often hid in a hollowed-out cedar tree in the forest to hide their love because Hatsue, however, always experienced doubt regarding the nature of her feelings for Ishmael. On the one hand Hatsue feels a deep unity with the Japanese culture and her family background. But on the other hand there exist a story desire for a world without societal pressures and prejudices. That is what made Ishmael very desirable. Hatsue felt that the love between Ishmael and her was somehow wrong. Nonetheless Ishmaels love for her never ends.
Later Hatsue followed the Japanese tradition and the wishes of her parents by marrying a Japanese man. This act cut a deep wound in his heart and he retreated into his shell because she was his one and only love. Hatsue rejection left him bitter and resentful. Finally he never had the strength to leave his shell accept circumstances that he cannot change and perhaps find a new love. In contrast Hatsue, who married Kabuo Miyamoto always struggles for the reconciliation of both cultures and she would like to live both lives.