Matriarchs of the River Ki

The three prominent relationships in The River Ki are all very different due to the different times and people, but all of them have one thing in common--Hana. She is the stronghold throughout the book, not just because she is the main character, but because of her inordinate strength and spirit. She got much of the spirit from her grandmother, Toyono, who raised her after the death of her mother, Mio.
Toyono was a prominent figure in Hana's life, coaching her through all her education in the ways of a woman. She was demanding but loving. She expected the best from her grand daughter and…