Yet another area of research that made a lasting impact on me was the subject of Allied POWs in the Pacific. Their stories illustrated the horrors men are capable of inflicting upon one another and the utter lack of humanity that occurs during wartime. I will point out, however, that although Japanese-run prisons indeed bore brutality in each of my readings, I have learned enough about WWII to know that atrocities happened in every theatre and by every “side”—the same for acts of compassion.
As I hope my writing makes evident, I take great pride in historical accuracy. (Granted, riding in the nose of a B-17 and compiling airmen’s tales of parachute thefts and practical jokes were more fun than work.) The few liberties I have taken include the following inventions: a small storage shed near the chicken ranch at Manzanar; the island of Magtulay (meaning “to bridge” in Filipino), fashioned after Cuyo Island in the Sulu Sea; and the climactic prison raid, which was inspired by the U.S. Army Rangers–led raid on the Cabanatuan Prison, successfully freeing five hundred POWs who had survived the Bataan Death March. I also took creative license with time line pertaining to the theory of a secret epitaph woven into Bach’s Partita in D minor for solo violin; not until around 1994 did Professor Helga Thoene announce her conclusion.
In contrast, superstitions are in fact prevalent in Japan to this day, often illustrated by the omission of the unlucky numbers four and nine in everything from parking garage spots to hospital rooms and floors. My late paternal grandmother subscribed to many such beliefs. Given the symbolic importance placed on earlobes in her culture, as seen on most statues of Buddha, you can imagine her displeasure over my ears being pierced as a youngster. No doubt, for redemption’s sake, she would be delighted my novel includes seven parts for good fortune, along with a spotlight on the Seven Lucky Gods. When I first began writing this book, I was somewhat familiar with these deities but had no knowledge of Benzaiten. A river goddess known to carry a stringed instrument and representing all that flows, from music to speech to fine arts, Benzaiten naturally completed the puzzle of Maddie’s story.
Other essential pieces that enabled my characters’ journeys stemmed from a long list of wonderful memoirs, biographies, and documentaries. A few that demand citation are: Devil at My Heels by Louis Zamperini, Violin Dreams by Arnold Steinhardt, Only What We Could Carry by Lawson Fusao Inada, Last Roll Call by Kenneth S. Tucker and Wanda Tucker Goodwin, The Head Game: Baseball Seen from the Pitcher’s Mound by Roger Kahn, and We Refused to Die by Gene S. Jacobsen. I am a better person for having read these works.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention a deep connection to sparrows that runs quietly through my story. In 1958, intent on bettering his nation, Chairman Mao Zedong led the charge to rid China of sparrows, labeled an agricultural enemy for their consumption of grain. Citizens were commanded to join an anti-sparrow army, utilizing weapons, sentries, and even propaganda. The war began with the sounding of bugles and cymbals, the banging of pots and pans, to scare the birds into flight. Once their wings tired, they either dropped dead from fatigue or were entrapped for easy elimination. Nests were discarded, eggs destroyed, nestlings killed. And not until the species had reached near extinction did experts discover their grave error: Sparrows ate vastly more insects than seeds; the targeted enemy was instead an ally.
Indeed, history has much to teach us, if only we are willing to learn.
ASIAN-FUSION RECIPES
The bridging of cultures can nurture not only the soul, but also the body. Yoshoku, a cooking style that combines Western and Japanese dishes, provides a perfect example of the harmony created by blending the best of both worlds. In America, socializing and dining go hand in hand, while elegant meals in Japan are meant to be savored by the eyes as well as the mouth. In this tradition, and to celebrate the remarkable mending of ties between these countries, please enjoy the following dishes and drinks with your friends, family, and book club members.
Lemon-Ginger Cake
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2½ cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2½ cup lemon juice
3¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
¼ cup minced crystallized ginger
¾ cup sour cream
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar in a bowl until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in vanilla and ½ cup lemon juice. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, and ginger; add to butter mixture in three parts, alternating with sour cream (beginning and ending with dry ingredients). Spoon batter evenly into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350°F until a tester inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack. Combine powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice to create a smooth glaze; drizzle over cake.
Green Tea Cookies
1½ cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon green tea (matcha) powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder pinch of salt
Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and butter on low speed until smooth. Stir in vanilla and egg. In a separate bowl, blend the remaining ingredients; gradually stir into butter mixture. Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten by depressing a fork twice on each dough ball, creating a crisscross pattern. Bake at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
Japanese-Style Potato Salad
1½ lbs. large potatoes
½ lb. large carrots
1 teaspoon granulated chicken stock powder
¾ cup cucumber cubes, peeled and seeded
cup thinly sliced onion
1 cup Japanese mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
salt and coarsely ground pepper
Steam-cook washed, unpeeled potatoes and carrots until done; peel when slightly cooled. In a bowl, break up potatoes, mix in chicken stock powder, and set aside. Cut carrots in half lengthwise; slice into thin pieces. In a separate bowl, sprinkle some salt over cucumber cubes and leave for 2 to 3 minutes to soften, then squeeze to remove excess liquid. Soak thinly sliced onion in water to reduce bitterness; drain and pat dry. Combine all vegetables when potato is cool. Stir in mayonnaise or Miracle Whip. Salt and pepper to taste.
Cherry Blossom Cocktail
¾ cup chilled plum wine
½ cup chilled drinking sake
1 cup peach juice
1 cup sour cherry juice
Combine all ingredients. Divide among four tall glasses filled with ice cubes. (Note: If you can’t find sour cherry juice, double the amount of peach juice.)
Crispy Prawns with Japanese Tartar
For Tartar:
½ cup mayonnaise
1½ tablespoons dill pickles, finely chopped
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 small handful parsley, finely chopped
1 scallion, white part only, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed salt and ground white pepper to taste
For Prawns:
all-purpose flour, for coating salt and ground white pepper
1 lb. raw jumbo prawns with tails, peeled and deveined
1 egg, lightly beaten with dash of cold water
sesame seeds, panko, and/or flaked almonds
vegetable oil (for deep-frying)
¼ cup sesame oil
In a small bowl, combine all tartar ingredients; chill until ready to serve. Season flour with salt and white pepper; use to lightly coat prawns, avoiding the tails. Dip into egg mixture and press into
sesame seeds, panko, and/or flaked almonds (for a lovely presentation, serve all three variations on one platter). Refrigerate prawns while preparing oil. Fill one-third of a medium saucepan with vegetable oil, add sesame oil, and heat to 350°F. Deep-fry prawns in batches until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with the tartar sauce.
Zesty Karaage Chicken
Great as appetizers, this is a tasty Asian twist on all-American fried chicken!
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
2 oz. fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup light soy sauce
1¼ lbs. boneless chicken thighs with skin on salt
½ cup cornstarch
cup all-purpose flour vegetable oil (for deep-frying)
½ cup Miracle Whip
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ tsp chili powder
Combine garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Set aside for half a day to deepen flavor. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Marinate in 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce mixture, 5 to 10 minutes. Add salt as desired. Coat chicken in mix of cornstarch and flour. Deep-fry in hot oil (350°F). When chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove from oil and drain on a paper towel. Place chicken pieces on small wooden skewers. Serve with a mixture of Miracle Whip, lemon juice, and chili powder.
Curry Deviled Eggs
6 large hard-boiled eggs, shelled
¼ cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon curry powder (or wasabi) salt and pepper toasted sesame seeds
Cut hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop yolks into a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add Miracle Whip, onion, and curry powder; mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper. Fill the egg-white “boats” with the yolk mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Sweet Sesame Glazed Squash
2 lbs. kabocha or butternut squash
1½ cups water
¼ cup superfine sugar
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
¼ cup toasted sesame seeds
Peel squash, remove seeds and pith, and cut into 1-inch-square pieces. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, and soy sauce. Heat to a boil, then add squash pieces. Once the liquid has reduced, stir constantly to prevent sticking or burning. Remove from heat when all liquid has been absorbed and squash is soft and sticky. After squash has cooled, toss in sesame seeds.
Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
A fabulous variation on a holiday classic, the wasabi adds mild but memorable flavor.
2 lbs. (about 5 to 6) russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons wasabi paste salt and pepper
In a large saucepan of cold salted water, heat potato cubes to a boil. Cook until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and return to pan. Add sour cream, butter, and wasabi paste. Blend with a hand mixer until fluffy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Some of these recipes were adapted from the following cookbooks: Harumi’s Japanese Home Cooking, Everyday Harumi, and Yoshoku Contemporary Japanese. For more unique recipes, special reading group features, or to invite Kristina to visit your book club in person or via phone/Skype, check out www.KristinaMcMorris.com.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
BRIDGE OF SCARLET LEAVES
Kristina McMorris
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The suggested questions are included to enhance your group’s reading of Kristina McMorris’s Bridge of Scarlet Leaves.
Discussion Questions
1. The title Bridge of Scarlet Leaves was inspired by an ancient haiku. Describe the symbolism of leaves in the story and possible reasons they would be scarlet. What thoughts and/or emotions did the opening poem (by Deanna Nikaido) evoke both before and after you read the book?
2. Bridge conveys a variety of meanings in McMorris’s novel, many of which relate to connecting hearts, people, and cultures. How did each major character fulfill the role of a bridge? Who or what do you view as the most significant bridge in the story?
3. In the 1940s, interracial marriage was illegal in more than thirty American states. Given expectations placed on Caucasian females during this conservative era, how do you feel about Maddie’s hesitation early in her relationship with Lane? Would you have made the same daring choices that she did over the course of the war?
4. Several of the characters’ lives often parallel throughout the story. Discuss such instances found in TJ’s military training and tour, Lane’s and Maddie’s Manzanar experiences, Mrs. Duchovny’s tragedy, and Dopey’s assignment to the POW camp.
5. While working at the camo-net factory, Lane ponders the irony: “Here they were, unjustly imprisoned by their own country, contributing to the fight for freedom and democracy.” In Lane’s situation, would you have enlisted in the U.S. military? If drafted, would you have refused to serve?
6. Japanese honor is a major element in the book, as exemplified by Lane’s confrontation with the sch, Happy’s ceremonial sacrifice, and the Japanese Americans’ general compliance to evacuate. One could say it’s a privilege lost by standing out from the group. Discuss how the concept of honor—as a burden versus a reward—contrasts between the Japanese and American cultures.
7. The final scene of Maddie sitting at her vanity creates an echo of the book’s opening scene, her reflection having vastly changed. In fact, every character experienced a tremendous amount of growth. Of them all, who do you believe transformed the most? Whose journey was your favorite?
8. A great number of historical facts and events, along with cultural tidbits, are woven through the pages. What was the most surprising or intriguing piece of information you learned?
9. Translations of the names Suzume and Orochi are included in the story. Other names that bear meaning are: Tomo (“friend”), Takeshi (“warrior”), Kumiko (“longtime beautiful child”), Nobu (“faith”), and Kensho (“self-realization, awakening”). To what extent do these names fit the characters?
10. Often the key to empathy lies in uncovering traumatic events that have shaped another person’s life. Did your impression of Kumiko change once she revealed her past? Have you ever encountered a similar situation in which a discovery altered your perspective of a person?
11. At what point in the story do you believe Lane and Maddie’s relationship truly became love? Do you believe Maddie regrets her choices? Reflecting on your own life, if you had foreseen the path ahead, would you have made the same decisions? Are you glad you didn’t know beforehand?
12. In writing, Lane explains to Maddie that he had asked Dewey to throw away a previous letter. How do you think the discarded message differed from the one Lane ultimately sent?
13. Do you wish the story had ended differently for any of the characters? If so, how would that have affected the growth of the others? How do you feel about Dopey’s decision after the war? Do you agree with Maddie’s choice of placing a keepsake on the floating lantern?
14. Adhering to Kumiko’s superstitions, the book is divided into seven parts to incite good fortune, just as the following bonus question effectively prevents this list from ending on #13: Which two minor characters from McMorris’s debut novel, Letters from Home, make a cameo in Bridge of Scarlet Leaves?
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2012 by Kristina McMorris
The poem at the beginning of Part One is reprinted with permission of Deanna Nikaido.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-7811-1
ISBN-10: 0-7582-4685-4
na McMorris, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves Page 40
