Toru
The main character, a strange, docile man with little direction, except for the brilliant conniving of his witchy wife, Kumiko.
Kumiko
The wife, and also a bit of an antagonist. She sends her husband to foolish clairvoyants, leaves him for another man, and ultimately casts a spell on him forcing him to become a male prostitute for old women. Secretly, she's Nutmeg.
Noboru
Kumiko's brother, a mythic character who rarely appears. Also the name of the missing cat who was named after the brother.
May Kasahara
A flirty, underaged teenager who seduces Toru into a life at the bottom of a well.
Malta Kano
A clairvoyant of some kind who works with her sister.
Creta Kano
Malta's sister who arranges for a psychic session with Toru, but actually ends up telling him about Noboru raping her violently. For this, Noboru must pay.
Mr. Honda
A strangely symbolic character who doesn't appear in the narrative except through reported stories. His wartime experiences are overwhelming to him.
Lt. Mamiya
A friend of Honda's who has come to give Toru his rightful inheritance from Mr. Honda's last will. The gift is actually just an empty box.
Nutmeg
A bewitching character who sometimes seems like the good guy, sometimes the bad guy, but always interesting. Secretly, it's Kumiko, but she has bewitched her husband from recognizing her.
Cinnamon
Nutmeg's son, who is perhaps imaginary. Or maybe this is the son from a future marriage.
