Tony Takitani

Tony Takitani had a solitary childhood, mainly because of his first name, which is rather unusual for a Japanese child, chosen by his jazz musician father who was fascinated by the United States. Tony Takitani studied Fine Arts but, although accurate and undoubtedly keen, his drawing shows no sign of artistic sensibility. Used to his independence, Tony finds emotions illogical, and sees them as signs of immaturity. However, after having discovered his real vocation as a technical illustrator, he meets Eiko, a client who loves fashion. After marrying her, Tony changes quite radically, and, carried away by love, glowing with life, he starts to recognise and fear his former solitude. Eiko’s compulsive obsession with designer labels begins to worry her young husband. When Tony asks her to return her latest purchases, she suffers a tragic and fatal car accident en route. Alone again, and desperate, Tony goes into her wardrobes full of clothes to feel Eiko’s presence again, and then places a want-ad, hoping to find a woman with the right figure to bring his memories of his departed bride back to life.