Kafka on the Shore: Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

In a vacant lot in Tokyo, an old man strikes up a conversation with a black cat. The cat is initially surprised that that a human can speak to and understand him, but they soon fall into an easy conversation. The old man introduces himself as Nakata and asks if he can call the cat by the name Otsuka, and the cat agrees. Nakata tells Otsuka that ever since an accident when he was young, he hasn’t been able to read or write—and although he gained the ability to speak to cats, many people tell him he’s dumb. He speaks in a simple, somewhat halting manner, sometimes referring to himself in third person. He also lost all his memories in the accident, and the ability to understand abstract concepts.

Nakata tells Otsuka that he makes some extra money by searching for lost house cats. Right now, he’s on the search for a tortoiseshell cat named Goma. Otsuka, unfortunately, hasn’t come across Goma, but he wishes Nakata luck. He also observes that Nakata’s shadow seems to be fainter than a normal shadow.