teris-and-potatoeshack;sheisarocket,aCatherineWheel.ShewillcallherfirstcolleFireworks.

    SeveraloftheFireworksstoriesdealwithJapan,atrywhosetea-ceremonyformalityanddarkeroticismbruisedandchallengedCartersimagination.In"ASouvenirofJapan"shearrangespolishedimagesofthattrybeforeus."TheStoryofMomotaro,whowasbornfromapeach.""Mirrorsmakearoomuncosy."HernarratorpresentsherJapaneselovertousasasexobjepletewithbee-stunglips."Ishouldliketohavehadhimembalmed...sothatIcouldwatchhimallthetimeandhewouldnothavebeeogetawayfromme."Theloveris,atleast,beautiful;thenarratorsview-bonedself,asseeninamirror,isdistinctlyuncosy."Inthedepartmentstoretherewasarackofdresseslabelled:ForYoungandCuteGirlsOnly.WhenIlookedatthem,IfeltasgrossasGlumdalclitch."In"FleshandtheMirror"theexquisite,eroticatmospherethis,approagpastiche--forJapaeraturehasspecialisedratherintheseheatedsexualperversities--exceptwhenitiscutthroughsharplybyCartersstantself-awareness.("HadntIgothousandmilestofindaclimatewithenoughanguishandhysteriainittosatisfyme?"hernarratorasks;as,in"TheSmileofWinter",anotherunnamednarratoradmonishesus:"DonotthinkIdonotrealizewhatIamdoing,"andthenanalysesherstoryerspicacitythatrescues--bringstolife--whatmightotherwisehavebeenastaticpieood-music.Carterscold-waterdouchesofintelligeeherescueofherfancy,whenitrunstoowild.)

    Inthenon-JapaoriesCarterenters,forthefirsttime,thefable-worldwhichshewillmakeherown.Abro