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Dr. Ibaraki and Kayoko’s house symbolizes the effort that a relationship requires and, conversely, shows the danger of not putting effort into a relationship. Kayoko, who tends to have more modern views, is the driving force behind the couple’s determination to fix up their house themselves, insisting they’ll feel “more proud” about it if they’ve restored it themselves. Kayoko’s insistence on the couple taking responsibility for the work on their house, as well as the “vigour” with which she does this work, demonstrates her commitment to putting effort into their relationship. When the relationship dissolves, it is due to Ibaraki’s inability to prioritize his home life. Thus, the effort that a couple puts into their home comes to represent the effort they put into their relationship.
Ibaraki and Kayoko’s House Quotes in After Darkness
The After Darkness quotes below all refer to the symbol of Ibaraki and Kayoko’s House. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 9: Tokyo, 1935
Quotes
We moved into our new home early in the new year and started on repairs straight away. There were doors to be measured and mats to be ordered. We bought new shutters and installed latches that stopped them from banging in the wind. We replaced our fence with new bamboo stalks, binding them together with rope. We scrubbed the soot from the kitchen, the mould from the bathtub, and the grime from the floors. Kayoko took to the work with a vigour I’d previously only seen in her when she played the koto. She insisted we do everything ourselves. “It’s our first house—it should be just the two of us. We’ll feel more proud this way.” She could be sentimental about such things.
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Ibaraki and Kayoko’s House Symbol Timeline in After Darkness
The timeline below shows where the symbol Ibaraki and Kayoko’s House appears in After Darkness. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9: Tokyo, 1935
...money and help from Kayoko’s parents, he and Kayoko are able to buy a run-down house. Kayoko insists on the couple doing the repairs themselves because it is their first home....
(full context)
Chapter 14: Tokyo, 1936
...then she won’t see him ever again. He leaves, and when he comes back the house is dark.
(full context)
...begs her to stay, but she has already made up her mind. She leaves the house. After Kayoko leaves him, Dr. Ibaraki feels as though he is moving through his life...
(full context)
