Imagery

Imagery plays an important role in this chapter because we move from the battlefield to sacred places. These places are described very vividly in a fantastic and romantic way which contributes to the overall emotion the audience is intended to feel. The audience is supposed to feel sympathetic for Koremori and Shigehira, so how does the imagery contribute to that?

Additionally, the imagery in this chapter is intertwined with symbols. The water of Nachi is supposed to represent a cleansing of all of Koremori's bad karma and eventual rebirth. Similarly, Koremori is depicted with cherry blossoms in his hair. Cherry blossoms are only in bloom for a few days and, in this context, this is supposed to symbolize the impermanence of everything, but specifically, Koremori's life. His time on earth is fleeting because he intends on taking his own life. Are there any other symbols in the chapter? If so, what do they represent?

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