The writer Haruki Murakami and I happen to be from the same hometown (Kobe), so I know a little bit of local information. Every year in autumn, there grows high expectations that the Nobel Prize in Literature will be awarded! Then a celebration party is planned and cancelled every year at the local high school alumni association . It was a pity again this year.
But whether he wins the prize or not, the great influence of this hometown senior on the history of literature in Japan and the world, and the excellence of his many gems of work, will never fade away.
It was 30 or 40 years ago when I first encountered his debut novel “Hear the Wind Sing” in my youth, was shocked by “A Wild Sheep Chase”, and was intoxicated by “Hard-Boiled Wonderland And The End Of The World”. Since then, I have encountered many masterpieces/problematic works at every milestone of my reading life, although I have not been able to touch many of them because this author is very prolific. Recently, you have been a delightful DJ on your monthly radio show.
Haruki Murakami’s library (since he is an active writer, it is not like a memorial hall, but rather like this) was opened at his alma mater, Waseda University, in 2021. I had wanted to visit there once, but had missed the opportunity until recently, when I took the plunge.
“Haruki Murakami Library” is another name for the International Literature Building, Building 4 on the Waseda University.
Full view of the library building.
The building was designed (renovated an old building) by Kengo Kuma , who was inspired by Murakami’s works to create a “tunnel through time and space”. The front entrance looks as if it is through a gap in the wooden eave that wraps around the building.
Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by this stairway bookshelf right in front of them. Indeed, it looks like a tunnel descending to the lower floors.
Here’s what it looks like from the bottom up.
It looks like an open-shelf library, where visitors can freely pick up and read Murakami’s works in editions from around the world, as well as books of criticism and research, arranged chronologically.
I forgot to mention that admission is free. Thankfully, the rule inside the museum is that photography is free, except for close-up shots of books and video. Even though it was a weekday morning, visitors of all ages and genders kept coming.
*This time, I prepared LUMIX S5 and LUMIX S14-28mm for shooting inside the museum. The wide-angle lens is in its element.
The worldwide version of “1Q84”.
A display area with books published in Japan. The books are all nostalgic and nostalgic.
A chronology of his works arranged in the form of just a few spines (you can read them if you zoom in). Still, the exhibit shows how prolific he was.
Event space with simple studio facilities. Mr. Murakami himself has held readings and other events here on occasion. It was announced that a symposium by a literary researcher is scheduled for later this month.
This facility does not appear to be a “library” of books only. There is a collection of analog records, probably donated by Mr. Murakami.
It is well known that he ran a jazz cafe in his younger days. The lighting and furnishings are a bit different from the book corner, and Nat King Cole’s music was playing at the time.
The semi-basement first floor has a café, which seemed to be widely used not only by visitors to this library but also by university staff.
The piano in the cafe was actually used for live performances at his jazz cafe, Peter Cat.
So, this was my first visit to the “Haruki Murakami Library,” which left me with many impressions. I would like to revisit and revisit again.
On the contrary, I have not been to the campus of Waseda University for decades since I visited there once for the school festival when I was a university student, so it was almost as if it was my first time. I took a walk around the Waseda campus, but I’ll tell you how it went next time.
