A Lovely Drawing of Naomi

Remember that contest I won back in May on Natalie Whipple’s blog? Well, I got my prize today: a sketch of Naomi!

Absolutely wonderful:

This is the scene where she’s taking part in her arranged marriage to Ryuji. Only, the marriage is for show in order to protect her. See my post here on trial marriages and how it was viewed in rural districts in the late 1800s.

Anyway, this “trial marriage” is on top of everything else she’s had to go through: the death of her mother, leaving everything of her former life behind with no choice in the matter, as well as being even more of an outcast because of her “unconventional” heritage (an unknown Japanese father and English mother). I think Natalie captured the tumultuous emotions raging within her very well, especially in her eyes.

Thank you again to Natalie for this! This made my day.