Exhibits Include Dazai Osamu's kimonos, Exhibition of the Authors' Favourite Items

 

A special exhibition, 'Authors' Favourite Items - Slightly retro things', is being held at the Prefectural Museum of Modern Literature in Aomori City. The exhibition features 442 items that writers associated with Aomori Prefecture have used with great care and persistence throughout their lives. The exhibition will run until 25 December.

In addition to kimonos, obis and neckties worn by Dazai Osamu, the exhibition also features the manuscript of his short story "Happiness at Home", which was bound by his wife Michiko Tsushima with Dazai's kimono as the cover.
It can be seen that even after Dazai's death, his family carefully protected and passed on the manuscript.

Yao Kitabatake, who was strikingly dressed in kimono, exhibits the kimono and haori she wore during a conversation with fellow Aomori High School for Girls alumna Noriko Awaya, a singer.
In addition, the writing desk, a box called tebunko and square tray she used at her home in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, were made of Tsugaru lacquerware, suggesting that she continued her creative activities while feeling close to her hometown.

As writing is a profession, there are many fountain pens, manuscript paper and other writing implements from the various artists, as well as personal computer, which is a newer addition to the collection.
A colour television set used by Shiko Munakata in his studio in Kamakura (owned by the Prefectural Museum of History) and a handmade record player by Komatsu Kitamura are also worth seeing.

The notebook that Kon Kanichi kept as a sailor aboard the warship Nagato during the war contain descriptions of his hometown.
The authors' "Favourite things" are also introduced, such as the miniature locomotive of Takagi Kyozo, who dreamt of becoming an engineer as a boy.

Seiya Kakizaki, Literature Specialist at the museum, says: "I hope that visitors will think about the feelings of the people who were involved with the writer and entrusted the 'things' to them, along with their favourite items that are filled with their thoughts. I'd be happy if the exhibits provide an opportunity for people to come into contact with literary works."

Open 9AM - 5PM (closed 9, 24-30 November and 22 December)
Free admission to the museum.
Many of the works can be photographed, with some exceptions.
In addition to the Retro Gallery and Retro Toy Corner, which feature photographs of various parts of the prefecture from the Showa era.
For information, contact the Museum of Literature. (tel: 017-739-2575)