Written in 1990 by Haruki Murakami, Tony Takitani was later included in the short story collection Lexington Ghosts. The story centers on a man born in postwar Japan whose Western-sounding name, Tony Takitani, stands out starkly among typical Japanese names. Frequently ridiculed for it, he becomes emotionally withdrawn and learns to live an intensely solitary life.

Tony Takitani, burdened with an unusual name, had long settled into a life of solitude. That was, until he fell in love with Eiko, a beautiful woman with a passionate spirit. Her presence melted the cold stillness of his heart, but along with love came the fear of losing her. Eiko’s free-spirited nature and uncontrollable urge to spend, endlessly collecting clothes and shoes, gradually began to change the dynamics of their relationship.