Tanto Sword (Symbol)
Referred to by the narrator as Sand's "prize," the tanto sword Sand receives from Master Konuma is a symbol of his excellence as a samurai and the gratitude he feels toward Konuma. The sword enters the story during Tolstoy's raid on the samurai houses. Ready for battle, Sand clutches the 200-year-old sword, which is only twenty-seven inches long. Although Sand uses guns and explosives when available, Sand also relies on the tanto throughout the book as both a practical fighting tool and a reminder of the trust Konuma put in Sand when he awarded him the weapon. In the book's climactic scene, Sand throws the short sword at Tolstoy's throat, ending the terrorist's bloody rampage.
Konuma's Words (Motif)
Throughout the novel, Sand draws on his taciturn samurai master's teachings to keep him on track toward his goal of killing Tolstoy and rescuing Toki. While Konuma rarely spoke directly to his samurai students when alive, he twice called Sand "Sandayu," a reference to a legendary samurai figure; Sand recalls these words and hopes he can live up to the sensei's expectations. Sand is also careful to say little to people he is working with, remembering Konuma's instructions to reveal as little as possible when executing a mission. Ultimately, the sensei's carefully chosen words help carry Sand through to the end of his mission.
Pillow Decoy (Symbol)
The body decoy Sand creates from pillows is a symbol of how he uses cunning to overcome his enemies. While staying at William Clarke's ranch in Texas for the first time, Sand predicts that Clarke is going to test his skills by sending people to attack him. When the men arrive, they leap to attack Sand in his bed, not realizing that it is merely a bunch of pillows mounded up to resemble a sleeping body. While the men are distracted, Sand launches his sneak attack from behind. Using a simple trick tactic, Sand manages to dispatch the three men because they are caught off guard.
Black Clothing (Motif)
Throughout the novel, Olden details the black clothing Sand wears while conducting missions. In clothing himself in black turtlenecks, leather jackets, and pants, Sand is able to conceal himself in shadows while he watches his enemies. The motif arises in several scenes, such as when Sand thwarts Winters' kidnapping of Mary Clarke in the dark streets of Paris, when Sand quietly approaches the Saigon villa in pursuit of Toki, and when Sand disappears into the shadowy surroundings of the hidden Canadian airfield where he confronts Tolstoy. Ultimately, the outfits Sand chooses prove indispensable in getting the better of Tolstoy and his men, whose weaponry are useless against a target they cannot see.
Horse on Highway (Symbol)
The horse Sand rides on the highway is a symbol of the medieval samurai tradition meeting the modern world. After escaping Colonel Tolstoy's raid on the three samurai houses, Sand goes to the horse stables and starts riding a golden mare toward Tokyo. In this scene, Olden emphasizes the sound of the horse's hooves on the concrete road surface to highlight the contrast between an ancient transportation method and modern infrastructure. This symbol speaks to the broader themes of the novel, which depicts Sand using traditional samurai skills and weapons to best people even though they have the latest instruments of war.
