Totoyama Character Analysis in Pachinko

Totoyama is Haruki’s and Daisuke’s mother. She was abandoned by the boys’ father after Daisuke was born, and her family is inaccurately rumored to be burakumin. She runs a struggling seamstress shop, but Goro’s patronage soon allows her business to grow and thrive. Mozasu’s wife, Yumi, and Haruki’s wife, Ayame, both work for Totoyama.

Totoyama Character Timeline in Pachinko

The timeline below shows where the character Totoyama appears in Pachinko. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Identity, Blood, and Contamination Theme Icon

...needs nicer clothes, so he takes him to the small shop run by Haruki’s mother, Totoyama. To Mozasu’s amazement, Goro tells Totoyama that Mozasu is going to be his new foreman... (full context)

Love, Motherhood, and Women’s Choices Theme Icon

...his new seventh parlor, and he takes Mozasu to get some new tailored suits at Totoyama’s. Totoyama is now Goro’s exclusive uniform maker, and she’s been able to open a bigger... (full context)

...attend an English class together three nights a week. One day Mozasu is waiting outside Totoyama’s shop for Yumi when Haruki shows up. He’s been studying at the police academy, and... (full context)

Imperialism, Resistance, and Compromise Theme Icon

...is now married to Ayame, the foreman of his mother’s uniform shop, because it’s what Totoyama had wanted. Ayame manages the shop while Totoyama is dying of cancer, and after she... (full context)