Names and the Self

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

The collection repeatedly makes identity vulnerable by separating people from names, bodies, memories, and the accounts they tell about themselves.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Tony’s Given Name Tony’s Given Name from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Name from Elsewhere An American suggestion Shozaburo accepts the name Tony from an American major without considering its effect on a Japanese child.

Tony’s Given Name from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Name from Elsewhere An American suggestion Shozaburo accepts the name Tony from an American major without considering its effect on a Japanese child.

A Name from Elsewhere An American suggestion Shozaburo accepts the name Tony from an American major without considering its effect on a Japanese child. Identity imposed from outside The name attracts teasing and suspicion. Tony responds by withdrawing into precise work and solitary habits.

Mizuki’s Blank Mizuki’s Blank from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Self Temporarily Unavailable Memory fails selectively Mizuki remembers nearly everything except her own name when someone asks without warning.

Mizuki’s Blank from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Self Temporarily Unavailable Memory fails selectively Mizuki remembers nearly everything except her own name when someone asks without warning.

A Self Temporarily Unavailable Memory fails selectively Mizuki remembers nearly everything except her own name when someone asks without warning. The blank feels unlike ordinary forgetfulness. A name made portable She has her name engraved on a bracelet, using an object to reconnect herself with an identity she cannot reliably summon.

The Name on the Dorm Board The Name on the Dorm Board from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Tag Held in Trust Yuko’s request Yuko Matsunaka gives Mizuki her name tag before leaving the dorm under a false explanation.

The Name on the Dorm Board from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Tag Held in Trust Yuko’s request Yuko Matsunaka gives Mizuki her name tag before leaving the dorm under a false explanation.

A Tag Held in Trust Yuko’s request Yuko Matsunaka gives Mizuki her name tag before leaving the dorm under a false explanation. She speaks about jealousy and makes an odd remark about a monkey. A clue left unspoken Mizuki keeps the tag but never tells others about the conversation. The name becomes an unresolved responsibility she carries into adulthood.

The Thief of Names The Thief of Names from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Names as Possessions A literal theft A monkey confesses to stealing names he desires, including Mizuki’s and Yuko’s.

The Thief of Names from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Names as Possessions A literal theft A monkey confesses to stealing names he desires, including Mizuki’s and Yuko’s.

Names as Possessions A literal theft A monkey confesses to stealing names he desires, including Mizuki’s and Yuko’s. The impossible act explains the missing tags inside the story’s logic. The identity underneath The monkey’s account pushes Mizuki toward a painful truth about her family. Recovering the name cannot by itself erase the history attached to it.

A Name Returned A Name Returned from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Identity Reclaimed, Not Resolved Objects put away Mizuki stores her bracelet and recovered name tag together.

A Name Returned from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Identity Reclaimed, Not Resolved Objects put away Mizuki stores her bracelet and recovered name tag together.

Identity Reclaimed, Not Resolved Objects put away Mizuki stores her bracelet and recovered name tag together. She no longer needs them as immediate proof of who she is. Living with what is outside She accepts that her life may work out or may not. The recovered name represents an ability to face that uncertainty rather than a guaranteed cure.

During Tony’s childhood in postwar Japan

About a year before she seeks counseling

During Mizuki’s high-school years in Yokohama

During Mizuki’s counseling sessions

After the monkey’s confession