Chiara Contini
Center for Japanese Language
Hello, I’m a French exchange student at Waseda University. On the 22 November, I got the opportunity to participate in an event in the Haruki Murakami Library organized by the ICC team.
Haruki Murakami Library entrance (photo by ICC)
Before coming to Japan, I read quite a lot of Japanese literature and, of course, this included the books of Haruki Murakami. I was really enthusiastic to come to Waseda knowing that the author also studied here. How incredible is that?
It was my first time participating in an ICC event, and I did not really know what to expect. Indeed, it took me a little bit of time to register, but I don’t regret anything. University is about studies but also about experiences and encounters. This is why I believe events like this are a really good thing – people who come usually have an interest in common with you.
Moreover, it was also a chance for me to learn more about the library. In fact, I study quite often in the library’s cafe, but I didn’t know everything about it.
When we arrived at the main entrance, the staff was waiting for us, and it was really well organized. Explanations were both in English and Japanese. The event was separated into two parts: the visit to the library and the discussion time about our favourite book in a group.
The library was designed by a friend of Haruki Murakami, the architect Kengo Kuma, who is also a professor at Waseda. The stairs inside the library are under a sort of tunnel, representing a passage to another world, maybe a reference to Murakami’s best-seller 1Q84? Only the real readers would know….
The building is divided into two levels. On the first level, you’ll find the cafe run by the university’s students, and it’s a really nice place to study. There is always some jazz playing in the background, which gave a lot of charm to the place. I was really surprised but one of the tables I’ve been studying at belonged to Haruki Murakami. You can see a big wine stain on this table which he made himself. On this floor, you can also find a replica of the author’s writing space.
Author and group members (photo by ICC)
The second floor is the main part of the library, where you’ll find multiple editions of Murakami’s books, translated into different languages.
But there are also other authors’ books exhibited, especially Japanese women writers. I learned that they were doing programs quite often in the library; it would be sad to miss that. Then you’ll find the jazz listening space, a fancy room with beautiful furniture, accessible to all.
Then, we were separated into different groups to introduce our favourite books. I really enjoyed this exchange time, as I felt like a real University student, discussing what we found interesting and moving in our lectures. After this event I realised that I met really nice people, and I had a meaningful time just for myself.
ICC Book Night participants (photo by ICC)
