Mr. Nobusuke Tagomi thought, There is no answer. No understanding. Even in the oracle. Yet I must go on living day to day anyhow.
 I will go and find the small. Live unseen, at any rate. Until some later time when --
 In any case he said good-bye to his wife and left his house. But today he did not go to the Nippon Times Building as usual. What about relaxation? Drive to Golden Gate Park with its zoo and fish? Visit where things who cannot think nonetheless enjoy.
 Time. It is a long trip for the pedecab, and it gives me more time to perceive. If that can be said.
 But trees and zoo are not personal. I must clutch at human life. This had made me into a child, although that could be good. I could make it good.
 The pedecab driver pumped along Kearny Street, toward downtown San Francisco. Ride cable car, Mr. Tagomi thought suddenly. Happiness in clearest, almost tear-jerking voyage, object that should have vanished in 1900 but is oddly yet extant.
 He dismissed the pedecab, walked along the sidewalk toward the nearest cable tracks.
 Perhaps, he thought, I can never go back to the Nippon Times Building, with its stink of death. My career over, but just as well. A replacement can be found by the Board of Trade Mission Activities. But Tagomi still walks, exists, recalling every detail. So nothing is accomplished.
 In any case the war, Operation Dandelion, will sweep us all away. No matter what we are doing at the time. Our enemy, alongside whom we fought in the last war. What good did it do us? We should have fought them, possibly. Or permitted them to lose, assisted their enemies, the United States, Britain, Russia.
 Hopeless wherever one looks.
 The oracle enigmatic. Perhaps it has withdrawn from the world of man in sorrow. The sages leaving.
 We have entered a Moment when we are alone. We cannot get assistance, as before. Well, Mr. Tagomi thought, perhaps that too is good. Or can be made good. One must still try to find the Way.
 He boarded the California Street cable car, rode all the way to the end of the line. He even hopped out and assisted in turning the cable car around on its wooden turntable. That, of all experiences in the city, had the most meaning for him, customarily. Now the effect languished; he felt the void even more acutely, due to vitiation here of all places.
 Naturally he rode back. But. . . a formality, he realized as he watched the streets, buildings, traffic pass in reverse of before.
 Near Stockton he rose to get off. But at the stop, when he started to descend, the conductor hailed him. "Your briefcase, sir."
 "Thank you." He had left it on the cable car. Reaching up he accepted it, then bowed as the cable car clanged into motion. Very valuable briefcase contents, he thought. Priceless Colt .44 collector's item carried within. Now kept within easy reach constantly, in case vengeful hooligans of SD should try to repay me as individual. One never knows. And yet -- Mr. Tagomi felt that this new procedure, despite all that had occurred, was neurotic. I should not yield to it, he told himself once again as he walked along carrying the briefcase. Compulsion-obsession-phobia. But he could not free himself.
 It in my grip, I in its, he thought.
 Have I then lost my delighted attitude? he asked himself. Is all instinct perverted from the memory of what I did? All collecting damaged, not merely attitude toward this one item? Mainstay of my life. . . area, alas, where I dwelt with such relish.
 Hailing a pedecab, he directed the driver to Montgomery Street and Robert Childan's shop. Let us find out. One thread left, connecting me with the voluntary. I possibly could manage my anxious proclivities by a ruse: trade the gun in on more historicity sanctioned item. This gun, for me, has too much subjective history. . . all of the wrong kind. But that ends with me; no one else can experience it from the gun. Within my psyche only.
 Free myself, he decided with excitement. When the gun goes, it all leaves, the cloud of the past. For it is not merely in my psyche; it is -- as has always been said in the theory of historicity -- within the gun as well. An equation between us!
 He reached the store. Where I have dealt so much, he observed as he paid the driver. Both business and private. Carrying the briefcase he quickly entered.
 There, at the cash register, Mr. Childan. Polishing with cloth some artifact.
 "Mr. Tagomi," Childan said, with a bow.
 "Mr. Childan." He, too, bowed.
 "What a surprise. I am overcome." Childan put down the object and cloth. Around the corner of the counter he came. Usual ritual, the greeting, et cetera. Yet, Mr. Tagomi felt the man today somehow different. Rather -- muted. An improvement, he decided. Always a trifle loud, shrill. Skipping about with agitation. But this might well be a bad omen.
 "Mr. Childan," Mr. Tagomi said, placing his briefcase on the counter and unzipping it, "I wish to trade in an item bought several years ago. You do that, I recollect."
 "Yes," Mr. Childan said. "Depending on condition, for instance." He watched alertly.
 "Colt .44 revolver," Mr. Tagomi said.
 They were both silent, regarding the gun as it lay in its open teakwood box with its carton of partly consumed ammunition.
 Shade colder by Mr. Childan. Ah, Mr. Tagomi realized. Well, so be it. "You are not interested," Mr. Tagomi said.
 "No sir," Mr. Childan said in a stiff voice.
 "I will not press it." He did not feel any strength. I yield. Yin, the adaptive, receptive, holds sway in me, I fear.
 "Forgive me, Mr. Tagomi."
 Mr. Tagomi bowed, replaced the gun, ammunition, box, in his briefcase. Destiny. I must keep this thing.
 "You seem quite disappointed," Mr. Childan said.
 "You notice." He was perturbed; had he let his inner world out for all to view? He shrugged. Certainly it was so.
 "Was there a special reason why you wanted to trade that item in?" Mr. Childan said.
 "No," he said, once more concealing his personal world -- as should be.
 Mr. Childan hesitated, then said, "I -- wonder if that did emanate from my store. I do not carry that item."
 "I am sure," Mr. Tagomi said. "But it does not matter. I accept your decision; I am not offended."
 "Sir," Childan said, "allow me to show you what has come in. Are you free for a moment?"
 Mr. Tagomi felt within him the old stirring. "Something of unusual interest?"
 "Come, sir." Childan led the way across the store; Mr. Tagomi followed.
 Within a locked glass case, on trays of black velvet, lay small metal swirls, shapes that merely hinted rather than were. They gave Mr. Tagomi a queer feeling as he stooped to study.
 "I show these ruthlessly to each of my customers," Robert Childan said. "Sir, do you know what these are?"
 "Jewelry, it appears," Mr. Tagomi said, noticing a pin.
 "These are American-made. Yes of course. But, sir. These are not the old."
 Mr. Tagomi glanced up.
 "Sir, these are the new." Robert Childan's white, somewhat drab features were disturbed by passion. "This is the new life of my country, sir. The beginning in the form of tiny imperishable seeds. Of beauty."
 With due interest, Mr. Tagomi took time to examine in his own hands several of the pieces. Yes, there is something new which animates these, he decided. The Law of Tao is borne out, here; when yin lies everywhere, the first stirring of light is suddenly alive in the darkest depths. . . we are all familiar; we have seen it happen before, as I see it here now. And yet for me they are just scraps. I cannot become rapt, as Mr. R. Childan, here. Unfortunately, for both of us. But that is the case.
 "Quite lovely," he murmured, laying down the pieces. Mr. Childan said in a forceful voice, "Sir, it does not occur at once."
 "Pardon?"
 "The new view in your heart."
 "You are converted," Mr. Tagomi said. "I wish I could be. I am not." He bowed.
 "Another time," Mr. Childan said, accompanying him to the entrance of the store; he made no move to display any alternative items, Mr. Tagomi noticed.
 "Your certitude is in questionable taste," Mr. Tagomi said. "It seems to press untowardly."
 Mr. Childan did not cringe. "Forgive me," he said. "But I am correct. I sense accurately in these the contracted germ of the future."
 "So be it," Mr. Tagomi said. "But your Anglo-Saxon fanaticism does not appeal to me." Nonetheless, he felt a certain renewal of hope. His own hope, in himself, "Good day." He bowed. "I will see you again one of these days. We can perhaps examine your prophecy."
 Mr. Childan bowed, saying nothing.
 Carrying his briefcase, with the Colt .44 within, Mr. Tagomi departed. I go out as I came in, he reflected. Still seeking. Still without what I need if I am to return to the world.
 What if I had bought one of those odd, indistinct items? Kept it, reexamined, contemplated. . . would I have subsequently, through it, found my way back? I doubt it.
 Those are for him, not me.
 And yet, even if one person finds his way. . . that means there is a Way. Even if I personally fail to reach it.
 I envy him.
 Turning, Mr. Tagomi started back toward the store. There in the doorway, stood Mr. Childan regarding him. He had not gone back in.
 "Sir," Mr. Tagomi said, "I will buy one of those, whichever you select. I have no faith, but I am currently grasping at straws." He followed Mr. Childan through the store once more, to the glass case. "I do not believe. I will carry it about with me, looking at it at regular intervals. Once every other day, for instance. After two months if I do not see --"
 "You may return it for full credit," Mr. Childan said.
 "Thank you," Mr. Tagomi said. He felt better. Sometimes one must try anything, he decided. It is no disgrace. On the contrary, it is a sign of wisdom, of recognizing the situation.
 "This will calm you," Mr. Childan said. He laid out a single small silver triangle ornamented with hollow drops. Black beneath, bright and light-filled above.
 "Thank you," Mr. Tagomi said.

 By pedecab Mr. Tagomi journeyed to Portsmouth Square, a little open park on the slope above Kearny Street overlooking the police station. He seated himself on a bench in the sun. Pigeons walked along the paved paths in search of food. On other benches shabby men read the newspaper or dozed. Here and there others lay on the grass, nearly asleep.
 Bringing from his pocket the paper bag marked with the name of Mr. R. Childan's store, Mr. Tagomi sat holding the paper bag with both hands, warming himself. Then he opened the bag and lifted out his new possession for inspection in solitude, here in this little grass and path park of old men.
 He held the squiggle of silver. Reflection of the midday sun, like boxtop cereal trinket, sent-away acquired Jack Armstrong magnifying mirror. Or -- he gazed down into it. Om as the Brahmins say. Shrunk spot in which all is captured. Both, at least in hint. The size, the shape. He continued to inspect dutifully.
 Will it come, as Mr. R. Childan prophesied? Five minutes. Ten minutes. I sit as long as I can. Time, alas, will make us sell it short. What is it I hold, while there is still time?
 Forgive me, Mr. Tagomi thought in the direction of the squiggle. Pressure on us always to rise and act. Regretfully, he began to put the thing away back in its bag. One final hopeful glance -- he again scrutinized with all that he had. Like child, he told himself. Imitate the innocence and faith. On seashore, pressing randomly found shell to head. Hearing in its blabber the wisdom of the sea.
 This, with eye replacing ear. Enter me and inform what has been done, what it means, why. Compression of understanding into one finite squiggle.
 Asking too much, and so get nothing.
 "Listen," he said sotto voce to the squiggle. "Sales warranty promised much."
 If I shake it violently, like old recalcitrant watch. He did so, up and down. Or like dice in critical game. Awaken the diety inside. Peradventure he sleepeth. Or he is on a journey. Titillating heavy irony by Prophet Elijah. Or he is pursuing. Mr. Tagomi violently shook the silver squiggle up and down in his clenched fist once more. Call him louder. Again he scrutinized.
 You little thing, you are empty, he thought.
 Curse at it, he told himself. Frighten it.
 "My patience is running out," he said sotto voce.
 And what then? Fling you in the gutter? Breathe on it, shake it, breathe on it. Win me the game.
 He laughed. Addlepated involvement, here in warm sunlight. Spectacle to whoever comes along. Peeking about guiltily, now. But no one saw. Old men snoozing. Measure of relief, there.
 Tried everything, he realized. Pleaded, contemplated, threatened, philosophized at length. What else can be done?
 Could I but stay here. It is denied me. Opportunity will perhaps occur again. And yet, as W. S. Gilbert says, such an opportunity will not occur again. Is that so? I feel it to be so.
 When I was a child I thought as a child. But now I have put away childish things. Now I must seek in other realms. I must keep after this object in new ways.
 I must be scientific. Exhaust by logical analysis every entree. Systematically, in classic Aristotelian laboratory manner.
 He put his finger in his right ear, to shut off traffic and all other distracting noises. Then he tightly held the silver triangle, shellwise, to his left ear.
 No sound. No roar of simulated ocean, in actuality interior blood-motion noises -- not even that.
 Then what other sense might apprehend mystery? Hearing of no use, evidently. Mr. Tagomi shut his eyes and began fingering every bit of surface on the item. Not touch; his fingers told him nothing. Smell. He put the silver close to his nose and inhaled. Metallic faint odor, but it conveyed no meaning. Taste. Opening his mouth he sneaked the silver triangle within, popped it in like a cracker, but of course refrained from chewing. No meaning, only bitter hard cold thing.
 He again held it in his palm.
 Back at last to seeing. Highest ranking of the senses: Greek scale of priority. He turned the silver triangle each and every way; he viewed it from every extra rem standpoint.
 What do I see? he asked himself. Due to long patient painstaking study. What is clue of truth that confronts me in this object?
 Yield, he told the silver triangle. Cough up arcane secret.
 Like frog pulled from depths, he thought. Clutched in fist, given command to declare what lies below in the watery abyss. But here the frog does not even mock; it strangles silently, becomes stone or clay or mineral. Inert. Passes back to the rigid substance familiar in its tomb world.
 Metal is from the earth, he thought as he scrutinized. From below: from that realm which is the lowest, the most dense. Land of trolls and caves, dank, always dark. Yin world, in its most melancholy aspect. World of corpses, decay and collapse. Of feces. All that has died, slipping and disintegrating back down layer by layer. The daemonic world of the immutable; the time-that-was.
 And yet, in the sunlight, the silver triangle glittered. It reflected light. Fire, Mr. Tagomi thought. Not dank or dark object at all. Not heavy, weary, but pulsing with life. The high realm, aspect of yang: empyrean, ethereal. As befits work of art. Yes, that is artist's job: takes mineral rock from dark silent earth transforms it into shining light-reflecting form from sky.
 Has brought the dead to life. Corpse turned to fiery display; the past had yielded to the future.
 Which are you? he asked the silver squiggle. Dark dead yin or brilliant living yang? In his palm, the silver squiggle danced and blinded him; he squinted, seeing now only the play of fire.
 Body of yin, soul of yang. Metal and fire unified. The outer and inner; microcosmos in my palm.
 What is the space which this speaks of? Vertical ascent. To heaven. Of time? Into the light-world of the mutable. Yes, this thing has disgorged its spirit: light. And my attention is fixed; I can't look away. Spellbound by mesmerizing shimmering surface which I can no longer control. No longer free to dismiss.
 Now talk to me, he told it. Now that you have snared me. I want to hear your voice issuing from the blinding clear white light, such as we expect to see only in the Bardo Thodol afterlife existence. But I do not have to wait for death, for the decomposition of my animus as it wanders in search of a new womb. All the terrifying and beneficent deities; we will bypass them, and the smoky lights as well. And the couples in coitus. Everything except this light. I am ready to face without terror. Notice I do not blench.
 I feel the hot winds of karma driving me. Nevertheless I remain here. My training was correct: I must not shrink from the clear white light, for if I do, I will once more reenter the cycle of birth and death, never knowing freedom, never obtaining release. The veil of maya will fall once more if I --
 The light disappeared.
 He held the dull silver triangle only. Shadow had cut off the sun; Mr. Tagomi glanced up.
 Tall, blue-suited policeman standing by his bench, smiling.
 "Eh?" Mr. Tagomi said, startled.
 "I was just watching you work that puzzle." The policeman started on along the path.
 "Puzzle," Mr. Tagomi echoed. "Not a puzzle."
 "Isn't that one of those little puzzles you have to take apart? My kid has a whole lot of them. Some are hard." The policeman passed on.
 Mr. Tagomi thought, Spoiled. My chance at nirvana. Gone. Interrupted by that white barbarian Neanderthal yank. That subhuman supposing I worked a child's puerile toy.
 Rising from the bench he took a few steps unsteadily. Must calm down. Dreadful low-class jingoistic racist invectives, unworthy of me.
 Incredible unredemptive passions clashing in my breast. He made his way through the park. Keep moving, he told himself. Catharsis in motion.
 He reached periphery of park. Sidewalk, Kearny Street. Heavy noisy traffic. Mr. Tagomi halted at the curb.
 No pedecabs. He walked along the sidewalk instead; he joined the crowd. Never can get one when you need it.
 God, what is that? He stopped, gaped at hideous misshapen thing on skyline. Like nightmare of roller coaster suspended, blotting out view. Enormous construction of metal and cement in air.
 Mr. Tagomi turned to a passer-by, a thin man in rumpled suit. "What is that?" he demanded, pointing.
 The man grinned. "Awful, ain't it? That's the Embarcadero Freeway. A lot of people think it stinks up the view."
 "I never saw it before," Mr. Tagomi said.
 "You're lucky," the man said, and went on.
 Mad dream, Mr. Tagomi thought. Must wake up. Where are the pedecabs today? He began to walk faster. Whole vista has dull, smoky, tomb-world cast. Smell of burning. Dim gray buildings, sidewalk, peculiar harsh tempo in people. And still no pedecabs.
 "Cab!" he shouted as he hurried along.
 Hopeless. Only cars and buses. Cars like brutal big crushers, all unfamiliar in shape. He avoided seeing them; kept his eyes straight ahead. Distortion of my optic perce............