Mizuki Reclaims Her Name

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

Mizuki’s recurring loss of her name leads through counseling, an impossible theft, and a painful recognition of family rejection.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Name Slips Away A Name Slips Away from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Forgetting Herself A specific blank Mizuki can remember addresses and other people’s details, yet sometimes cannot recall her own name when asked unexpectedly.

A Name Slips Away from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Forgetting Herself A specific blank Mizuki can remember addresses and other people’s details, yet sometimes cannot recall her own name when asked unexpectedly.

Forgetting Herself A specific blank Mizuki can remember addresses and other people’s details, yet sometimes cannot recall her own name when asked unexpectedly. A practical safeguard She engraves her name on a bracelet and continues using her maiden name at work. The solution prevents embarrassment without explaining the loss.

The Counselor Listens The Counselor Listens from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Patient Inquiry Ordinary life examined Mizuki describes her marriage, work, and childhood to Tetsuko Sakaki.

The Counselor Listens from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". A Patient Inquiry Ordinary life examined Mizuki describes her marriage, work, and childhood to Tetsuko Sakaki.

A Patient Inquiry Ordinary life examined Mizuki describes her marriage, work, and childhood to Tetsuko Sakaki. The counselor listens carefully rather than dismissing the symptom. A memory emerges Asked about names, Mizuki recalls Yuko Matsunaka, who entrusted her with two dormitory name tags before disappearing and later dying by suicide.

The Name Tags Reappear The Name Tags Reappear from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". An Impossible Explanation Recovered objects Tetsuko reveals the missing name tags and says the theft caused Mizuki’s memory problem.

The Name Tags Reappear from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". An Impossible Explanation Recovered objects Tetsuko reveals the missing name tags and says the theft caused Mizuki’s memory problem.

An Impossible Explanation Recovered objects Tetsuko reveals the missing name tags and says the theft caused Mizuki’s memory problem. She has arranged for Mizuki to confront the thief. A hidden room The culprit is a talking monkey captured in a basement room. His confession turns a private psychological symptom into a fantastic investigation.

The Monkey’s Confession The Monkey’s Confession from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". The Name Thief A compulsion explained The monkey admits stealing names he finds compelling, including Yuko’s and Mizuki’s.

The Monkey’s Confession from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". The Name Thief A compulsion explained The monkey admits stealing names he finds compelling, including Yuko’s and Mizuki’s.

The Name Thief A compulsion explained The monkey admits stealing names he finds compelling, including Yuko’s and Mizuki’s. He says he wanted Yuko’s name because he loved her. A darker disclosure He claims Mizuki’s family never truly loved her. Mizuki recognizes the painful possibility she had long suppressed and asks that the monkey be spared.

A Name of Her Own A Name of Her Own from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Living with the Truth Returning what was entrusted Mizuki gives Yuko’s tag to the monkey and keeps her own recovered identity.

A Name of Her Own from "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman". Living with the Truth Returning what was entrusted Mizuki gives Yuko’s tag to the monkey and keeps her own recovered identity.

Living with the Truth Returning what was entrusted Mizuki gives Yuko’s tag to the monkey and keeps her own recovered identity. The monkey is to be released in the mountains. An unfinished future Mizuki stores her bracelet and name tag together. The revelation does not promise an easy life, but she can now face it under her own name.

About a year before Mizuki seeks counseling

At the first sessions in Shinagawa Ward

At a later counseling appointment

During the confrontation in the ward office basement

After the confrontation and the monkey’s release