Devastation Imagery
The first scene of the novel is a brutal one: Tamasu's village has been destroyed and all its inhabitants slaughtered. The burning buildings, deathly silence, and sudden piercing scream all combine to make this one of the most searing images in the novel. The destruction of the village kindles Tamasu's desire for revenge, paralleling the flames leaping up from the broken buildings.
Christ Imagery
Lord Shigeru is this novel's Christ-figure, and the author makes it quite obvious (despite the Eastern setting). He intervenes in Tamasu's life, defending him against the evil men of the Tohan, and essentially sacrifices his own life for Takeo's in the grand scheme. The most striking imagery, however, is the picture of Shigeru crucified alive to the side of the palace. This blatant Christ imagery solidifies his role in the novel while alluding to the events at Golgotha in 33 AD.
Kaede Imagery
Kaede is a beautiful girl, but she doesn't know it - she's never seen herself in a mirror. This unwitting grace is an image of her inward soul; she is kind and loving, and her exterior reflects her interior. It's all the more compelling because she doesn't spend time worrying about her appearance and yet she is still stunning.
Japanese Imagery
This novel takes place in feudal Japan, even though the actual places and characters are fictional. Accordingly, the author tries to evoke images of Japan through the dialogue and descriptions of cultural things such as food, traditions, and architecture. Some might argue that she doesn't include enough elements to distinguish this culture as Japanese, but the imagery is present nonetheless.
