Published
Mon, Nov 5, 2018, 14:11
- The author has approximately 10,000 records, mostly jazz.
Acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami will donate his record collection, original manuscripts and personal letters to his alma mater, Waseda University in Tokyo.
According to The Japan Times, the 69-year-old writer said in a press conference—his first in 37 years—that this donation "is a very important thing for me, so I thought I should explain clearly... I don't have any children, and it would cause trouble for me if those materials became scattered or lost." Among other things, the university hopes to recreate Murakami's home study on campus, complete with records and bookshelves.
"I couldn't be happier if (the center) will help those who want to study my works," added Murakami. "I hope it will be something that promotes cultural exchange."
In August, Murakami hosted his first-ever radio show on Tokyo FM, DJing with his own records. A second episode followed in October, with a third currently in the works. The first edition of "Murakami Radio" featured music from Donald Fagen, King Pleasure and Ben Sidran.