Sign of the Chrysanthemum

by Katherine Paterson Day 7 Discuss Chapters 13-15 Pre-reading Chapters 16-18

Question 1

What did Muna do with the sword?

He runs into the mountains and buries near a small shrine.

Pg. 101

Question 2

What did Fukuji realize when he stepped on Muna’s straw sandal?

He realizes that only a thief leaves behind his shoe and that Muna is that thief.

Pg. 103

Question 3

Does Fukuji immediately check to see if the sword is missing? Why or why not?

Fukuji forces himself to cook and eat breakfast, sweep the floors before he enters the forge to find Takanobu has let himself in.

Top of pg. 104

Question 4

Why does Takanobu visit Fukuji? What is Fukuji’s response to Takanobu’s “bargain?” Fukuji lies and tells Takanobu that nothing has been stolen.

Pg. 105

Question 5

Why does Takanobu think Fukuji is jealous? What surprising information does Takanobu learn from Fukuji?

Takanobu thinks that Fukuji wants to be Muna’s father so he is jealous of Takanobu. Takanobu is surprisd that Muna’s father has a tattoo because he has one. Now he wonders if he really is Muna’s father.

Pg. 107-108

Question 6

What important information does Fukuji learn about Muna’s father from Lord Kiyomori?

That hundreds of samuari could be his father.

Pg. 112-113

Question 7

What did the chrysanthemum signify?

It celebrated victories against pirates.

Question 8

Read Muna’s dream. What do you think it means? Opinion, author’s can show a character’s subconscious fears and desires through dreams. Pg.

Chapter 16-18 Vocabulary

hodgepodge (16-118) Mixture of unrelated things squabble (16-119) To quarrel noisily coup d’etat pawnbroker (16-120) contrive reverent perfidy tumult (16-120) (16-120) (16-121) (18-128) (17-125) Violent overthrow of an existing government Someone who lends money in exchange for personal property To devise, plan, or scheme Feeling or expressing profound respect The quality of being disloyal, treachery Violent or noisy commotion

Chapter 16-18 Plot Summary

• First event in chapter 16 • Muna’s first day as a homeless boy living at Rashomon Gate • Last event in chapter 18 • Muna becomes an apprentice of Fukuji