The inexpensive one-shots still make up a minuscule part of the market, but they are getting attention.

President Bush took his predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, on a highprofile visit to Graceland in Memphis, where Mr. Koizumi put on Elvis’s shades and played air guitar while mugging for the camera. Mr. Abe is expected to make a low-key visit, staying just one night in Washington and limiting his exposure to potentially uncomfortable questions about his views on Japan’s conduct during World War II.

He was dismayed to find his car had gone.

He yearned to strike with the working edge of the blade, but was not ready to leave himself effectively wizardless in the face of the enemy.