the other two important female characters in the film are also defined in terms of their relation to tradition. noriko’s aunt masa appears in scenes in which she is associated with traditional japan, such as the tea ceremony in one of the ancient temples of kamakura. noriko’s friend aya, on the other hand, seems to reject tradition entirely. aya had taken advantage of the new liberal divorce laws to end her recent marriage. thus, she is presented as a new, westernized phenomenon: the divorcee. she "takes english tea with milk from teacups with handles, [and] also bakes shortcake ("shaato keeki")," a very un-japanese type of food.