Haruki Murakami Debuts Unpublished Short Story at Tokyo Literary Event

In a rare opportunity for literary enthusiasts, acclaimed Japanese writer Haruki Murakami presented his new short story titled 'Kaho' to a select group of 1,100 attendees at a Tokyo book event. The event, named 'The Owl Reads in Spring', was not only an exclusive book reading but also served as a fundraiser for the Waseda International House of Literature library, associated with Murakami's alma mater in Tokyo.

A Special Literary Night

The intimate Friday gathering gave audiences the unique experience of hearing the story directly from the author, who has not released a short story in over three years. Murakami revealed to the crowd that 'Kaho' was a challenging piece, crafted specifically for recitation and finalized just 10 days before the event. Despite aiming for brevity, the story was delivered in two parts due to its length.

The Craft of Recitation

Murakami, known for his thoughtful and provocative prose, expressed the difficulty in creating a narrative specifically for a live audience. Striking a balance between content and conciseness for oral delivery was an intricate task, according to the author. Adorning casual attire, he shared insights into his writing process and connection to the story with the gathered literary aficionados.

A Stage Shared with Mieko Kawakami

The literary event also spotlighted Mieko Kawakami, an esteemed author and devoted Murakami admirer. Kawakami, who has garnered recognition for her own works such as the translated novel 'Breasts and Eggs', recited her new short story titled 'Watashitachi no Doa (Our Doors)'. The collaboration between the two authors followed a similar event held in 2019.

Descent from a Jazz Bar to Literary Fame

Murakami's journey from running a jazz bar to becoming a world-renowned novelist includes a suite of bestsellers with 'Norwegian Wood' marking his breakthrough. His fresh short story 'Kaho' adds to a prolific career spanning essays, translations, and the recent novel 'The City and its Uncertain Walls', with his readers eagerly anticipating its English translation.

Murakami, Tokyo, Literature