Miwa Yamamura

Miwa is outspoken, tomboyish and self-assured. She speaks informally even to adults and has little hesitation about teasing Handa when his city-bred habits or emotional reactions provide an opportunity. Her confidence helps make her a leader among the island's children.

Her teasing is balanced by genuine concern for the people around her. She notices when Handa is discouraged and can become protective when she thinks someone is likely to upset him. She understands his pride well enough to recognize subjects that may provoke another bout of self-doubt, even if her methods of helping are rarely subtle.

Miwa is also one of the older influences on Naru Kotoishi, not always for the better. Naru readily copies words and behavior from her, occasionally leaving Miwa responsible for knowledge that Handa thinks a young child should never have picked up.

Miwa belongs to her school's softball club and describes herself as an ace pitcher. She is athletic and physically confident, fitting naturally into the outdoor lifestyle shared by the island's children.

She also possesses extensive practical familiarity with the village. Miwa knows its residents, local customs and surrounding terrain, and she is considerably more comfortable with physical work and outdoor activity than Handa.

Her social confidence is equally useful. Miwa can speak directly to adults without becoming intimidated and often serves as an intermediary between Handa and the younger children, even though she is just as capable of joining their mischief.

Miwa is part of the group that prevents Handa's island house from becoming the isolated studio he intended. She and Tamako had access to the building before his arrival, and their continued visits reinforce the idea that private space operates differently in the close-knit village.

She frequently participates in Handa's experiences away from his desk, including the commission to paint her father Iwao Yamamura's boat. Her knowledge of her father's temperament makes Handa even more anxious about the assignment, but the resulting challenge becomes another important exercise in loosening his rigid approach to calligraphy.

Miwa also observes Handa's professional struggles from the perspective of someone outside the calligraphy establishment. When Kousuke Kanzaki visits after defeating Handa in a competition, she worries that the encounter will reopen his disappointment. Her concern demonstrates how quickly the villagers stop treating Handa as a temporary outsider and begin protecting him as one of their own.

Tamako Arai is Miwa's best friend and regular companion. They spend much of their free time together, previously shared Handa's vacant house as a hideout and continue visiting after he moves in.

Naru Kotoishi is a younger friend who looks up to Miwa and imitates things she hears from her. Miwa participates readily in Naru's adventures, though her influence sometimes teaches Naru expressions that Handa considers inappropriate.

Sei Handa becomes a familiar adult in Miwa's daily life after taking over the children's former hideout. She teases him freely but also worries about his emotional state and supports him when his confidence falters.

Iwao Yamamura is Miwa's father and proprietor of the local liquor store. Miwa knows his intimidating manner well and warns Handa about his temper when Handa is tasked with lettering his boat.

Kousuke Kanzaki concerns Miwa because his victory over Handa in a calligraphy competition could upset Sensei. Her reaction to his visit is motivated largely by her desire to protect Handa from another professional setback.