The Mirror and the Night Watchman

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

A young night watchman’s encounter with his own hateful reflection turns a routine security round into a lasting confrontation with the self.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A New Job at School A New Job at School from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". The Night Shift A simple routine The young narrator works as a night watchman at a junior high school in Niigata Prefecture.

A New Job at School from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". The Night Shift A simple routine The young narrator works as a night watchman at a junior high school in Niigata Prefecture.

The Night Shift A simple routine The young narrator works as a night watchman at a junior high school in Niigata Prefecture. He checks the buildings twice each night. Confidence in youth He carries a flashlight and wooden kendo sword, believing he can defend himself. The routine feels safe until a storm changes the atmosphere.

The Strange Three A.M. Round The Strange Three A.M. Round from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Reluctant Awakening Unease without a cause The watchman wakes with an unusual resistance to getting out of bed.

The Strange Three A.M. Round from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Reluctant Awakening Unease without a cause The watchman wakes with an unusual resistance to getting out of bed.

A Reluctant Awakening Unease without a cause The watchman wakes with an unusual resistance to getting out of bed. The pool gate sounds different as it bangs in the wind. A checklist continues He makes himself complete the rounds, telling himself that neglecting his duty once could lead to repeated failures.

The Reflection Appears The Reflection Appears from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Mirror in the Hall A sudden fright A full-length mirror seems to have appeared by the entrance.

The Reflection Appears from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Mirror in the Hall A sudden fright A full-length mirror seems to have appeared by the entrance.

A Mirror in the Hall A sudden fright A full-length mirror seems to have appeared by the entrance. The watchman initially mistakes his reflection for an intruder. Recognition fails He calms himself, lights a cigarette, and sees his own face. Then he realizes that the reflection feels like another person.

Hatred in the Glass Hatred in the Glass from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". The Other Self An inexplicable hostility The reflection appears to loathe him with an immense, cold hatred.

Hatred in the Glass from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". The Other Self An inexplicable hostility The reflection appears to loathe him with an immense, cold hatred.

The Other Self An inexplicable hostility The reflection appears to loathe him with an immense, cold hatred. The watchman cannot move as the figure touches its face. Fear breaks into action He realizes the reflection is copying him and may be taking control. He roars, smashes the glass with his sword, and runs.

No Mirror in the Morning No Mirror in the Morning from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Terror without an Object Evidence remains incomplete The cigarette butt and wooden sword are on the floor, but no mirror exists.

No Mirror in the Morning from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Terror without an Object Evidence remains incomplete The cigarette butt and wooden sword are on the floor, but no mirror exists.

A Terror without an Object Evidence remains incomplete The cigarette butt and wooden sword are on the floor, but no mirror exists. He has apparently attacked nothing but himself. A lifelong consequence He concludes that the most frightening thing is one’s own self and refuses to keep mirrors at home. A single night alters his sense of safety.

During the narrator’s wandering years

A windy night in early October, at three a.m.

Near the end of his second round

Seconds after he studies the reflection

At sunrise after the typhoon passes