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Exhibition Overview
Through the hands of three craftspeople in Denmark, a book expresses itself in new ways.
Intaglio engraver Martin Mörck, letterpress printer Erling Jørgensen, and bookbinder Klara Kölqvist spent more than ten years creating twelve special editions based on Murakami’s book. Engraving, printing, and bookbinding—these three forms of craftsmanship come together to transform words into books made of, ink, and leather, each with its own distinctive character.
A story takes on a new form through the hands of craftspeople.
This exhibition explores this transformation through the special editions, together with original intaglio plates, preliminary drawings, metal type, bookbinding tools, and photographs documenting the creative process. Printed sheets of the text are also presented within the space of the exhibition.
The exhibition also features running shoes actually worn by Haruki Murakami, offering a glimpse into the writer’s personal experience of “running,” which inspired the book.
Artist Profile
- Martin Mörck | Intaglio Engraver
An internationally renowned intaglio engraver, Martin Mörck has created banknotes, stamps, and book illustrations for more than 30 countries. Working in the traditional intaglio technique, he is known for his fine touch that conjures a depth of expression
. For this work, he engraved illustrations inspired by the text onto copper plates, hand-printing each one. Their delicate lines bring a new dimension to the world of the book.
- Erling Jørgensen | Letterpress Printer
Erling Jørgensen has practiced the craft of letterpress printing since 1962 and has devoted his career to preserving this traditional technique in Denmark.
. For this work, he spent seven years hand-setting and printing every page of the text. The impressions of the letters and the texture of the ink on the paper bespeak the meeting of metal type, paper, printing press, and the printer’s hands.
- Klara Kölqvist | Bookbinder
Klara Kölqvist is a Danish bookbinder who carries on the tradition of hand bookbinding. She works on new books and collaborates with writers and artists on a range of projects. For this work, she bound sheets printed with letterpress type and intaglio illustrations using materials including, but not limited to, leather. Treating material, structure, and tactility as integral parts of the work, she transforms the book into something to be experienced as well as read.
General Information
- Dates：2026.11.19 (Thu) – 2027.5.23 (Sun)
- Opening Hours：10:00〜17:00
- Closed：Wednesdays; Dec. 21, 2026 – Jan. 13, 2027 (winter recess); and Feb. 1 – Mar. 2, 2027 ＊Please check our website for the latest opening information.
- Venue：Exhibition Gallery, Waseda International House of Literature
- Organized by The Waseda International House of Literature (The Haruki Murakami Library)
- Supported by the Royal Danish Embassy
