In Japanese culture there is more in a name than just what you call someone. Often times, parents named children based on what they want or see as their child's personality. In the novel, Snow Falling on Cedars, the names of the main characters hold clues to their personalities and roles in the story.

Japanese culture dictates that a child, especially a female, honor and follow their parents wishes. Hatsue does anything but conform to their ideals. Through the flash backs, we see that Hatsue and Ishmael had anything but a proper relationship in the eyes of her parents ideals. She and Ishmael not only met in the forest; they shared what her people would consider improper relations. Hatsue, even with all her grace and manners training, went against what was the norm. Hatsue often tells Ishmael that their activities make her feel ashamed. She does not like lying to her parents, yet she continues with her activities. Japanese culture also teaches women to honor their men. Hatsue, her very first night with her husband, lies to him. Hatsue had been kissed by another man, Ishmael, yet she tells her husband that he is her first. Hatsue has her own way of thinking and her own ideals. All of this is conveyed in the meaning of her name. Hatsue translates to mean original thought or idea.

Kabuo Miyamoto is accused of murder, simply because if Carl's death was a murder, then he is the most obvious suspect. Kabuo is a peaceful man. He marries Hatsue because she is a beautiful girl that he had always admired, and while in the camps, she was the obvious choice for a wife. While Kabuo Miyamoto's name means the most obvious solution, his expressions give nothing of what he truly feels away. He is accused of murder, yet at his trial he keeps on the face of a solider. He has been hardened by war and this neutral face comes most naturally to him now. He says that he did always look this way, and that he hardly recognized the face in the mirror as his own. This shows even further how his name contrasts who he is. I would imagine that someone who had lived through and fought in World War II would look like Kabuo describes himself. I would imagine that someone who lived through any war would hide away their feelings, which is what would occur to most contemporary readers. This does follow with the meaning of Kabuo's name. It is an interesting contrast between what the reader will perceive in the character and what other characters in the story perceive. No matter which way you look at Kabuo Miyamoto, his name's meaning corresponds in someway with his personality.

Often there is more meaning in a word, especially a name, than readers consider. In the novel, Snow Falling on Cedar's, this is especially true. In Japanese culture, more is in a name than one could imagine. This is no different with the main characters of the novel. Examinations of both Kabuo and Hatsue's names show that their personalities can be derived from their names. This enhances the novel by giving a sense that there is a great purpose to the way people are perceived than just appearance. The truth of a person lies in their name.