The Garden of Words follows Takao Akizuki, a 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker who skips school on rainy days, and Yukari Yukino, a 27-year-old teacher facing personal struggles. The film delves into themes of loneliness, healing through connection, and personal growth amid fleeting rainy encounters in a Tokyo garden.
This curated list of 25 quotes captures their emotional journey, from quiet introspection to raw revelations, highlighting character arcs and poetic bonds.
A faint clap of thunder / Clouded skies / Perhaps rain will come / If so, will you stay here with me?
(Opening scene)
Yukari Yukino
Yukari’s tanka invites vulnerability, setting the tone for longing and her isolation as a troubled adult.
Even when no thunder sounds / And no rain falls, if you but ask me / Then I will stay beside you
(First response)
Takao Akizuki
Takao’s reply poem shows his youthful resolve, marking his growth from observer to devoted companion.
In the evenings, before I went to sleep, and in the mornings, in the moment I woke up, I realized I was praying for rain
(Early meetings)
Takao Akizuki
Reveals Takao’s budding obsession, tying rain to hope and his escape from school pressures.
Perhaps when it rains again. Well then, we might meet again
(Garden farewell)
Yukari Yukino
Hints at transient joy, underscoring theme of impermanence in their wordless bond.
It’s also called ‘sunny rain,’ ‘personal rain,’ or ‘heaven’s tears’ as rain without clouds looks like tears
(Rain talk)
Yukari Yukino
Yukari poeticizes weather, reflecting her emotional turmoil masked by elegance.
I didn’t know that I had such emotions within me
(Self-reflection)
Takao Akizuki
Takao awakens to inner feelings, highlighting his shift from craftsman to emotionally aware teen.
Have we…met before, somewhere else?
(Second encounter)
Takao Akizuki
Captures budding familiarity, deepening their mystical connection beyond chance.
It made me happy to have someone react like that to something I made
(Bento moment)
Takao Akizuki
Takao’s joy in creation fosters intimacy, symbolizing mutual nurturing.
I’m twenty-seven, but I don’t feel any smarter than I did twelve years ago
(Apartment scene)
Yukari Yukino
Yukari confesses stagnation, exposing her fear of unchanging personal failures.
We’re human, after all. We’ve all got our little quirks
(Shared vulnerability)
Yukari Yukino
Acknowledges imperfections, bridging their age gap through shared humanity.
To me she represents nothing less than the very secrets of the world
(Narration)
Takao Akizuki
Elevates Yukari to enigma, fueling Takao’s passion and self-discovery drive.
I’ve always been here, stuck in the same place
(Reflection on growth)
Yukari Yukino
Laments her trapped life, pivotal for her arc toward confronting fears.
Tell me I’ll never live up to my expectations! Tell me I’ll never measure up to my dreams!
(Confrontation)
Takao Akizuki
Takao’s outburst demands honesty, pushing both toward emotional breakthroughs.
I realize now, I was learning how to walk as well. I haven’t mastered the steps, I fall too
(Climax realization)
Takao Akizuki
Takao mirrors Yukari’s struggles, embracing his path of imperfect growth.
I’m on my path, MY path, and one day that path, will take me to her
(Resolution)
Takao Akizuki
Affirms determination, connecting shoemaking dreams to enduring love.
Now might be the happiest moment I’ve ever lived
(Mealtime bliss)
Takao Akizuki & Yukari Yukino
Shared happiness peaks their bond, contrasting rainy solitude with warmth.
I was practicing walking there, to be able to walk alone
(Garden purpose)
Yukari Yukino
Yukari reveals avoidance of work, tying barefoot walks to societal reintegration.
You live on like that alone
(Emotional plea)
Takao Akizuki
Challenges Yukari’s isolation, forcing her to face relational fears.
I was being rescued there by you
(tearful confession)
Yukari Yukino
Yukari admits dependence, shattering her facade for authentic healing.
Not Yukino-san but teacher, right?
(Revelation shock)
Takao Akizuki
Status discovery strains bond, testing themes of forbidden connection.
Here, on sunny day, is as if like completely another place
(Sunny garden)
Yukari Yukino
Sunny emptiness underscores rain’s role in their emotional sanctuary.
Am I still all right?
(Whispered doubt)
Yukari Yukino
Quiet vulnerability exposes Yukari’s self-doubt when alone.
The moment you think you’re ready to give up, that’s the moment you need to hold on the most
(Overcoming despair)
Takao Akizuki
Echoes perseverance theme, inspiring Takao’s forward momentum.
I do not like you
(Misunderstood pain)
Takao Akizuki
Raw rejection vent catalyzes truth, leading to mutual salvation.
You thought “She is crazy lady”, don’t you, It’s OK
(Self-aware humor)
Yukari Yukino
Lightens heavy emotions, showing Yukari’s growth in accepting perceptions.
