Mieko has the four treasures for painting Japanese word-pictures—a fine sable brush, an inkstick, an inkstone shaped like a lily pond, and a roll of rice paper.  In the old days, her art teacher told her, "Mieko, you are one of the lucky few who are born with the fifth treasure—beauty in the heart.  With practice, you will surely become a a great artist." But the bomb that fell on Nagasaki changed all of that. Mieko's village was turned into ruins, and her hand was badly hurt.

Now that she has been sent to her grandparents' farm, Mieko's heart is filled with bitterness.  She hates her new school, the other children tease her about her scarred hand, and she can barely hold a paintbrush.  She longs to be able to paint as she once did, when the brush would dance across the paper.  But what is the use without the fifth treasure?  It takes time and patience to bring about both healing and wisdom for Mieko.  Only then does she begin to understand what the fifth treasure really is.  

Mieko's story of hope and courage, written by the author of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, will touch readers of all ages.  

Mieko's gift comes to life in elegant brush paintings by Cecil H. Uyehara.  An esteemed calligrapher, Mr. Uyehara is also a consultant on Asian affairs and Japanese culture.

From the dust jacket