The Meaning Behind Ghost of Yotei’s Ginkgo Tree Has Deeper Roots Than You Think
Spoilers ahead for Ghost of YoteiAtsu’s journey in Ghost of Yotei has her hunting down her sworn enemies, as the death of her family at the hands of the Yotei Six inspires a mission of unrelenting vengeance. Ghost of Yotei is steeped in symbolism. Whether it’s the use of wolf imagery or the ginkgo tree, Sucker Punch’s new action adventure offering does a fantastic job of hiding deeper meaning into its various set pieces and features.
When it comes to the ginkgo tree, though, it’s one of the most important pieces of the Ghost of Yotei puzzle. Atsu leads a breathtaking story, and her connection to the ginkgo tree can’t be underestimated. The two are intrinsically intertwined, and Sucker Punch’s use of this tree reveals even more about the deeper layers of Atsu as a character.
Ghost of Yotei's Ginkgo Tree is the Key to Understanding Atsu at a Deeper Level
Why is the Ginkgo Tree So Important?
Although the ginkgo tree is originally native to China, the plant was introduced to Japan around 1,000 years ago and has since become an important symbol in Japanese culture. Beyond that, though, the use of the ginkgo in Ghost of Yotei is significant because it has grown a reputation as being one of the most resilient and long-lasting tree species. If Atsu is anything, it’s resilient, as she’s able to take on and adapt to any challenge that gets in the way of her mission.
Ginkgo trees are one of the oldest living species of plant on Earth, as it can be traced back to around 270 million years ago.
Ghost of Yotei's Opening Moments Make Atsu and the Ginkgo One
At the beginning of the game, the Yotei Six are shown intruding on Atsu’s home and killing her family. If assassinating her loved ones wasn’t cruel enough, the young Atsu is pinned to a large burning ginkgo tree that sits at the center of her family’s homestead. What was once a large and beautiful tree is now damaged. It’s a physical representation of Atsu’s inner brokenness, as the tree now serves as a stark reminder of the tragedy that came to her family.
Atsu’s trauma fuels her pursuit for revenge, and the use of a tree that is known for bouncing back from damage is a brilliant way to add an extra layer to her. Also, when it comes to her character development, the ginkgo tree symbolizes how far Atsu has come on her journey, as the story’s finale is filled with promise instead of more pain.
The Ginkgo's Resilience Also Sets the Stage for Hope and Healing
At the end of Ghost of Yotei, Atsu finally defeats Lord Saito at her childhood home, pinning him to the same tree she was once pinned to. It’s a powerful full-circle moment, and although Atsu’s brother Jubei dies while helping her face Lord Saito, she still has hope in the newfound relationship that is forming with her niece Kiku. Atsu’s lonely road culminates in her finding a new family. She sets aside her past life of violence in favor of raising Kiku and living with Oyuki.
One of the reasons this tree is seen as a symbol of hope and resilience is because six ginkgos survived the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II.
She gets the closure she needs by killing Lord Saito while also healing her broken inner child by taking in Kiku to raise her, further driving home the ginkgo’s meaning of hope. Atsu now has something to live for that isn’t violence, and while the ginkgo tree on her family’s homestead still holds the scars of the past, there is the promise that the tree will continue to grow and thrive despite the damage.
