Study Questions for Yamamoto’s “The Legend of Miss Sasagawara”

Why is “Legend” in the title of this story? What is a legend and how does legend differ from a
history? From Myth?

Look carefully at the initial descriptions of both Miss Sasagawara and her father. What traits do these
descriptions assign to each character? Which of Miss Sasagawara’s actions help to further develop
her character?

Why is Miss Sasagawara unable to achieve a balance in her life? Why does Yamamoto end the story
with a summary of Miss Sasagawara’s poem? How does this information cause us to re-read or reinterpret Miss Sasagawara’s actions?

Why does Yamamoto send Kiku away at the crucial moment so that the end of the story can only
come indirectly?