A collection of short stories by scriptwriter-poet turned fiction writer Taeko Tomioka. Taeko deconstructs the discourse of the nuclear family and heterosexuality in gendered Japanese culture. Her stories focus on ordinary people unfettered by introspection or a search for life's ultimate meaning.

Chapter 1 The Funeral of a Giraffe; Chapter 2 Yesteryear 1. "Yesteryear," hatsumukashi in Japanese, is the name of a quality tea produced from leaves plucked on March 21 of the lunar calendar.; Chapter 3 Happy Birthday; Chapter 4 A Dog's Eye View; Chapter 5 Days of Dear Death; Chapter 6 Yesterday's Girl; Chapter 7 Time Table;