The Garden of Words

"The Garden of Words" (Japanese: 言の葉の庭, Kotonoha no Niwa) is a 2013 Japanese animated film written, directed, and edited by Makoto Shinkai. Produced by CoMix Wave Films and distributed by Toho, the film tells the story of Takao Akizuki, a high school student aspiring to be a shoemaker, who meets Yukari Yukino, a mysterious older woman, in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden during rainy mornings. Their encounters during the rainy season lead to a unique bond that transcends their age difference. The film uses the traditional Japanese concept of “koi” (lonely sadness) as its theme, incorporating rain, Man'yōshū poetry, and Japanese gardens. It was praised for its visuals, music, and themes, though some critics found the story to be short, with an insufficient plot and emotional climax. Besides the anime film, manga and novel adaptations have been created, and it has also been adapted into a stage play. In the film, shoes serve as a metaphor for life, and rainy days symbolize a special time for the protagonists to escape reality and comfort each other.