The novel transports us to an unknown and dark Japan, influenced by ancient and harsh traditions. Japanese-American Inspector Nishida finds himself facing a seemingly unsolvable case: the murder of retired businessman Takagi Mihara in his home, stabbed with a sword. The police believe they have found the suspect, who has motive and opportunity, but suffers from psychological problems and possibly drug addiction. He insists he found the victim already dead. His words seem like hallucinations, but Nishida notices inconsistencies in the evidence, and even forensic analyses raise questions about the victim's identity and the truth of the incident. Nishida quickly realizes that uncovering the truth requires delving into the gray area of missing persons—thousands of men and women who choose to disappear and start new lives with new names, facilitated by secret companies. By tracking their trail, Nishida seeks to solve the mystery, revealing a new, mysterious, and terrifying side of Japan, yet also astonishingly poetic.