The Disappearance of Teiji

The Earthquake Bird

This flow traces Teiji’s emergence as Lucy Fly’s elusive lover, his entanglement with Lily, and his departure into an uncertain future.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Rainy First Encounter A Rainy First Encounter from "The Earthquake Bird". A Rainy First Encounter The Photographer in the Puddle Lucy Fly sees Teiji photographing a puddle outside the Keio Plaza Hotel.

A Rainy First Encounter from "The Earthquake Bird". A Rainy First Encounter The Photographer in the Puddle Lucy Fly sees Teiji photographing a puddle outside the Keio Plaza Hotel.

A Rainy First Encounter The Photographer in the Puddle Lucy Fly sees Teiji photographing a puddle outside the Keio Plaza Hotel. His attention to water and the city fascinates her, and she steps into the image he is making. Intimacy Without Explanation They walk to his room and become lovers with little remembered conversation. Lucy experiences the encounter as fated, while Teiji remains difficult to know beyond his camera and silences.

The Affair and Its Aftermath The Affair and Its Aftermath from "The Earthquake Bird". The Affair and Its Aftermath A New Attachment Teiji’s growing ease with Lily unsettles Lucy, who has tried to keep him separate from her other friendships.

The Affair and Its Aftermath from "The Earthquake Bird". The Affair and Its Aftermath A New Attachment Teiji’s growing ease with Lily unsettles Lucy, who has tried to keep him separate from her other friendships.

The Affair and Its Aftermath A New Attachment Teiji’s growing ease with Lily unsettles Lucy, who has tried to keep him separate from her other friendships. On Sado Island, ordinary gestures between them become evidence of a closeness Lucy fears. The Public Discovery At Tokyo Station, Lucy sees them kiss. Soon afterward, Teiji leaves his uncle’s noodle shop and goes north, leaving behind undeveloped film and no explanation that Lucy can trust.

A Trail in Photographs A Trail in Photographs from "The Earthquake Bird". A Trail in Photographs An Unexplained Departure Teiji’s uncle finds photographs of empty places among the film Teiji leaves behind.

A Trail in Photographs from "The Earthquake Bird". A Trail in Photographs An Unexplained Departure Teiji’s uncle finds photographs of empty places among the film Teiji leaves behind.

A Trail in Photographs An Unexplained Departure Teiji’s uncle finds photographs of empty places among the film Teiji leaves behind. Their images suggest absence rather than a clear message, and Teiji’s destination remains uncertain to Lucy. Possible Evidence Photographs later sent to police place Teiji near Lily after Lucy’s last encounter with her. The pictures support Lucy’s innocence but deepen the possibility that Teiji knows more about Lily’s death than he has ever said.

Soon after Mrs. Yamamoto’s quartet disbands

During and immediately after the Sado Island trip

After Teiji leaves Tokyo for Hokkaido