His pacifist instincts deter him from joining the rifle club, and he cheekily subverts patriotic songs. Distrustful of war propaganda, he grows frustrated with media falsehoods.

Often defying societal expectations, H chooses autonomy over conformity. He skips classes intended for exam preparation and refuses to surrender his cherished metal button collection for the war effort, instead burying it in secret. During exams, his protest against abusive teachers surfaces in the form of blank papers adorned solely with his name or playful sketches. After the war, upon the entrance of a disliked teacher, he unceremoniously exits the classroom.

Though not drawn to his father's tailoring trade, H discovers his true calling in art, resolutely deciding to pursue a career as an artist by the age of sixteen.

Morio Senoh, father to H, is a gentle soul, a man of quiet demeanor whose craft is tailoring. At merely fifteen, he embarked on his journey to Kobe to learn the art of tailoring. After marrying Toshika, he adopted Christianity, though his zeal paled in comparison to hers. His business faced trials when citizens were urged to don traditional garb instead of the Western suits he crafted. As the war unfolded, Morio juggled his tailoring with duties in the fire brigade. There, he became known for his valor, saving lives amidst chaos.

Endowed with a wealth of practical wisdom, Morio questioned the prevailing propaganda of Japan's wartime victories. He harbored a quiet certainty that the United States would ultimately prevail. His interactions with a diverse clientele bestowed upon him a cosmopolitan flair, setting him apart from the typical Kobe resident.

Consistent in his kindness, Morio offered H unwavering support and sage advice. In moments of discord, such as when H hurled a rice pot lid at him, Morio's forgiving nature shone through, welcoming H back with open arms.

Toshika Senoh

Toshika Senoh, H's mother, hailed from Hiroshima but relocated to Kobe at eighteen for an arranged marriage with Morio. Enthusiastic about new ideas, she embraced Christianity in Kobe, diverging from her Buddhist upbringing. Her faith burned brightly, as she played tambourine on the streets with fellow believers, and fervently nurtured her children in the Christian doctrine, limiting their reading to the Bible. Her attempts to embody Christian love for everyone sometimes exasperated H, who found her fervor and impulsiveness trying. Yet, during wartime, she adeptly led the neighborhood association.

Yoshiko Senoh

Yoshiko Senoh, H's sister, trails two years behind him. Her tendency to shadow her brother often vexed H, though an act of kindness shifted his perspective. When she chose to eat with a broken fork, one H had damaged, her gesture of understanding softened his view of her. As air raids loomed, Yoshiko was evacuated to the safety of the countryside.

Sumiyama

Sumiyama, H's ally at Second Middle School, extended kindness when H's home succumbed to flames. Eagerly, he honed his skills, preparing to defend against foreign soldiers, should they set foot on Japanese soil.

Instructor Tamiyama

Instructor Tamiyama, the military guide at Second Middle School, earned the moniker "Red Horse" due to his elongated face and ruddy complexion. Beloved by his students, he volunteered to face the frontlines of battle.

Lieutenant Tamori

Lieutenant Tamori presided over military training at H's school, a figure of dread known as "His Lechery" for his haughty demeanor and inappropriate curiosities about the boys' sisters. His disdain for H was solidified upon discovering a sketch of a female nude in H's notebook. An insolent comment from H resulted in a harsh slap, prompting H to escape into the rifle club. Later, a rumor reached H's ears that Tamori's wife had once eloped with another man, stirring a sense of sympathy in H for the lonely lieutenant.

Mr. Tan Watanabe

Mr. Tan Watanabe, the English grammar instructor at Second Middle, was known for his jests at Lieutenant Tamori's expense.

Yokota

Yokota, a worldly-wise companion of H, shared in the nighttime marches and grueling military drills. Together, they embarked on a clandestine riding adventure, only to face expulsion from the riding club. Yokota's family home fell victim to the great Kobe air raid of 1945, and soon after, his father perished in the South Pacific conflict.