Satoko Kirigaya

**Satoko Kirigaya** (桐ケ谷紗都子, *Kirigaya Satoko*) is one of the main characters in the Japanese manga series, the *Firefly Wedding.* Born into a respected family and gifted with both beauty and intelligence, Satoko faces a challenge with her health—a serious heart condition that limits her ability to venture outside her home. Despite this, her ultimate desire is to fulfill her father's wish for her happiness, hoping to marry someone who will care for her.

However, potential marriage proposals often falter upon learning about her health issues. During a visit to town accompanied by her guardian Koutarou, Satoko is kidnapped by a group of men while Koutarou is occupied with tasks. In a surprising turn, she encounters Goto, the man hired to end her life. In a bid to persuade him to spare her, she pretends to be in love with him, even offering her hand in marriage.

## Profile

Blessed with a prestigious family name and beauty, yet since birth, she has been physically weak, with a life expectancy considered short. Satoko's sole dream is to enter into a marriage beneficial to her family, in order to repay her father's kindness.

## Appearance

Satoko possesses a slender, feminine figure. Her complexion is fair, complemented by strikingly large brown eyes. Typically, she styles her long, whitish hair in a braided bun, with a single strand delicately falling onto the center of her face while two others grace the sides. However, as the manga unfolds, her bun eventually loosens, allowing her hair to flow freely or be fashioned into a lengthy braid. Her beauty and elegance are often likened to that of a goddess, earning her the reputation as the most exquisite girl in her town. Throughout the story, she is depicted wearing a white kimono paired with zori sandals.

## Personality

Satoko possesses exceptional intelligence and unwavering determination to achieve her goals. Her demeanor is marked by politeness, consideration for others, and an innate kindness. She exhibits deep care for her loved ones, expressing concern for Koutarou's well-being during rainy weather and dedicating time to cultivate beautiful flowers as a gift for her father's birthday. Satoko is acutely aware of her appearance, meticulously attending to every aspect of her figure, from posture to facial expressions.

Despite her outward confidence, Satoko harbors a profound self-loathing due to her illness. She strives tirelessly to please others and be perceived as helpful, to the extent of composing a suicidal note expressing a desire for her body to be used in scientific research. Feeling like a burden, she wishes her family to minimize expenses for her funeral. While capable of seriousness and intelligence when necessary, Satoko also possesses a softer side, albeit seldom displayed to others.

## Etymology

The name **桐ケ谷紗都子 (Kirigaya Satoko)** may evoke an image of someone associated with elegance and grace, possibly residing in or having connections to a valley or nature, and possessing qualities of sophistication and refinement as symbolized by the paulownia tree and the meanings of the characters in the name.

* **桐 (Kiri):**
	+ **Kiri (桐)** refers to the "paulownia" tree in Japanese. This tree holds significance in Japanese culture, often representing elegance, grace, and dignity.
* **ケ谷 (Kirigaya):**
	+ **Kirigaya (ケ谷)** is a compound surname. The first character, "ケ (Ke)," doesn't have inherent meaning and is used for its phonetic value. The second character, "谷 (Gaya)," translates to "valley" in Japanese.
* **紗都子 (Satoko):** Satoko (紗都子) is the given name.
	+ **紗 (Sa)** can mean "gauze" or "thread," often associated with delicate, refined materials.
	+ **都 (To)** means "metropolis" or "capital city" and carries connotations of sophistication and centrality.
	+ **子 (Ko)** is a common suffix in Japanese female names, signifying "child."

## References

 "Special Website". *CMOA Official Website*.