The Bowl with Gold Seams tells Hazel Shaw's story of unexpected personal transformation -- both as a young woman working at the hotel among the Japanese, and the further story of the reverberating lifelong consequences of that experience. The final events of the war challenge Hazel's beliefs about enemies and friends, victory and defeat, love and loyalty. In the ensuing years she remains haunted by memories. Long after the end of the war, an unexpected encounter causes Hazel to return to the hotel where she must confront her past, come to terms with her present life, and determine her future.