So Far from the Bamboo Grove is a book I read and loved as a youth. I decided to revisit the story and read through its pages once more—after all, it has been at least 30 years since I picked it up last. I knew it had a powerful story about a little girl, but I had forgotten the details.
Yoko Kawashima Watkins tells the true, incredible story of the horrific yet humbling events she and her family faced.
From the backside of the book it states, “Stationed in North Korea during World War II, Yoko and her family lead a peaceful life –until the North Korean Communist Army begins to advance. Suddenly, they must flee for their lives, running on foot at night, jamming into railway cars, always in fear, always lacking food and shelter. And if they can make it to Japan, what can they hope to find in their war-ravaged homeland?”
While Yoko’s father and older brother, Hideyo were away, the Kawashima’s were warned of a possible Communist attack. And certainly, there was an attack that happened. This forced Yoko and her older sister, Ko, along with their mother to flee Seoul. Having left during the late hours of the night on July 29, 1945, Yoko and her family were now considered refugees. They would be saying goodbye to their quiet town, Nanam, forever.
Yoko was a very brave little girl. She was only 12 years old and her sister, Ko, was 17. It seems Yoko had to grow up quickly and be strong for her mother and Ko. They faced many trials including witnessing others being killed or dying from starvation.
“Mother touched the woman gently. She glared at Mother for a few moments, then she sobbed…I never knew a baby’s fingers were so tiny…She clipped a small lock of the baby’s hair, and she wrapped the clippings in tissue paper and handed them to the woman…The nurse tried to take the dead baby but the mother resisted.”
Yoko, Ko, and their Mother traveled days on end without much food to eat, shelter or clothing on their backs. However, they used their clever minds to find food in the most unusual places.
A family friend, Corporal Matsamura, became a very important figure in the story both in the beginning and the end. He is pivotal in bringing closure and comfort to Yoko and her family.
Many times, Yoko did not get along with her sister, Ko. She often felt angry towards her. But their relationship changed greatly as the story unfolded and the two became very close.
Yoko did not ever give up even when she was badly wounded. She kept on trudging through the darkness, through her pain and through her sorrow.
Along the way, the three women had to fend for themselves and watch out for thieves and, sadly, the possibility of being raped. They became a strong unit as they bound together on their journey. They discover there are still good people in the world. For example, Yoko makes an unlikely friend at school and he, in turn, chooses to help her.
Tragedy strikes but this does not weigh the family down. They have hope. And hope does come in a most unexpected way but it does come. There is a joyous ending.
I love reading true stories about families who faced great odds but were determined to endure with a desire to live and love again.
So Far from Bamboo Grove, written by Yoko Kawashima Watkins, tells such a story.
