Who is Suichi?

“It’s just that Suichi persists in asking me from time to time about last year, about why the Miyakes should have pulled out like that. He seems convinced I know some secret and that we’re all keeping it from him. I have to continually reassure him that I have no idea myself.” (p.18) Words like “persists”, “convinced”, “secret”, “keeping”, “continually” and “reassure” define the thinking process of Suichi, which illustrates part of his character. He is a character who is mentioned about four times in this book. Although he isn’t mentioned as much as the other major characters, one can easily realize the influential impact Suichi has on others.

One example that portrays this impact is on page 36 when Ono tells Setsuko that before the War, people weren’t allowed to watch American films. Setsuko then tells Ono that Suichi enlightened Ichiro that “American heroes are better for children.” (p. 36) Suichi influences Ichiro to become more open-minded and embrace other cultures other than his own. Now, Ichiro seems intrigued by the idea of idolizing cowboys because they seem better that ninjas and samurais. After constantly accusing Setsuko of knowing a secret about why the Miyakes declined the marriage offers, he persuades her to believe that Ono is withholding information from the rest of the family. When Setsuko questions Ono about any secrets, Ono quickly notices her suspicions. He gets irritated with Suichi because his views are “irrational.” (p.50) His irrational views are causing Ono to resent him because they contradict what he is trying to teach his daughters.

Suichi specifically asserts his mind. He is a profound speaker, according to Setsuko, because she says he “expresses things better.” (49)He is a “physically powerful man”, according to anyone who crosses his path, who is an innocent human being. (p.58) Ono enjoyed listening to the wit of Suichi but ever since the War, Suichi has become bitter. Now, he gets angry during funerals because he believes that his comrades died for “stupid causes.” (p.58)To him, “the greatest cowardice of all” is that the perpetrators who sent out these brave souls to do their dirty work are still alive. (p.58) “Suichi’s generation” have all become bitter because they have experienced these tragic affairs that many brave souls died from. (p.61) These experiences have caused people around him to dislike him to an extent.

I’ve noticed that he hardly ever comes around Setsuko’s family even though he is a very influential man. This is something I couldn’t quite figure out. Is it because he is afraid that people around him will remind him of his fallen comrades? Is it because he despises his country? Or is it because he dislikes Setsuko’s family?