ABSTRACT
Like Oe, Takahama was a poor town, with a persistent odor of fish. Once I had stepped off the bus, I found myself at a loss as to what to do next. I was already upset, and, unlike my visit to Ofumi’s place where I went with introductions, I had not the slightest clue about Tarozo. The only information I had was that Tarozo was born in this town. I hadn’t the least idea whether he had any surviving relatives, and if he did whether they might still be living in Takahama.
