This excerpt from Haruki Murakami's "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman" explores the nature of ice as a metaphor for preservation. The author suggests that ice encapsulates moments from the past, trapping them within its frozen structure. It symbolizes how memories and experiences are held in a pristine state, untouched by time. Ice serves as a time capsule, preserving everything inside in a clear and distinct form.

This representation of ice emphasizes its ability to maintain clarity and purity in what it holds. Just as ice can encase memories, it reflects the idea that the past remains alive within us, yet it cannot progress or evolve. The imagery of ice embodies the bittersweet reality of nostalgia; while it beautifully preserves what was, it does not allow for a future to unfold, remaining a testament to what has already occurred.