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Ojiichan’s Gift

It’s a lovely glimpse into Japanese culture, as well as the sharing of traditions across generations, and the transformation of traditions as life changes. It begins with Mayumi as a young child, describing her annual visits to her grandfather who lived half a world away, and the time they spent together in the garden he built when she was born. She describes his garden as unlike any other gardens with which she was familiar: instead of flowers or vegetables, it is a rock garden. She shares what she learned as they worked together, and how much she enjoyed raking patterns in the small stones. She describes the small tin of souvenirs she kept from the garden to remember her visits when she was back at home. And then she tells of the year they visit, and find the garden overgrown and untended; the illustrations show her parents packing boxes and grandfather in a wheelchair as she learns he cannot live there anymore. Remembering how her tin of souvenirs comforted her when she was far away, she makes both her grandfather and herself miniature rock gardens in bento boxes so they can take a piece of their memories with them when they must move away.