The Love of Azalea

"The Love of Azalea" by Onoto Watanna is a story set in early 20th-century Japan, following Azalea, a young girl facing cultural and familial struggles. Under the harsh rule of her stepmother and societal pressures, Azalea's life takes a turn when she meets Richard Verley, a missionary. Initially uninterested in Verley's sermons, the Japanese village provides the setting for Azalea’s desires to escape her difficult home. Treated poorly and longing for kindness, she is drawn to the idea of singing to earn money, similar to the choir boys Verley cares for. Feigning interest in conversion, she approaches Verley hoping for help. The early parts of the story highlight Azalea's yearning for freedom and love, set against the restrictions of poverty and social norms, leading her down a path of transformation.