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The novel is the story of a married silkworm smuggler named Herve, in 19th century France, traveling to Japan for his town's supply of silkworms after a disease wipes out their African supply. During his stay in Japan, he becomes obsessed with the unnamed concubine of a local baron, Hara Jubei.

Herve's love remains secret, and he travels to Japan, ostensibly for silkworms, for many years, while no one seems to suspect that Herve is meeting the concubine, when away from home; at the same time, he seems happy with his wife, Helene, whom Herve takes on a series of fancy holidays, each year.

When war breaks out in Japan, Herve must leave for France, warned never to return to Japan. At home, after hearing nothing from the mysterious concubine, he at last receives a letter from her, written in Japanese. Herve takes the letter to a French-Japanese brothel owner, Mme Blanche (known for giving the small blue flowers that she wears to her clients), who translates the letter into French.

The story ends when Helene dies and Herve finds a tribute of small, blue flowers on her grave. He realizes that the letter was not from the Japanese concubine, but from his wife all along. Helene had Mme Blanche translate the letter for her, knowing that her husband was in love with a Japanese woman, and wanting him to be happy. Mme Blanche tells Herve that, more than anything, his wife loved him, and Herve is left wondering if, whilst she lived, he ever truly appreciated her.

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