While in Tokyo preparing for the exhibit at MOT with Soundwalk Collective I went twice to the Mitaka district. The first was two weeks ago with Ace and Dice, who some of you met in my book M Train. We went to the shrines I wished revisit from our first encounters in 2015. We drove to the Zenrin-ji Temple Cemetery in Mitaka, and paid out respects to the writer Osamu Dazai. There was a waterlogged copy of his masterpiece No Longer Human and a pack of Hope cigarettes. We cleaned up the grave area, washed his stone, left white flowers and burned incense. Dice asked why white flowers. I said Dazai often had bad behavior and wrote of being a disqualified human, so perhaps he would welcome a few pure cleansing blossoms. Later I returned to the Museum MOT and did a no longer human drawing for our Correspondence exhibition.
I returned to Mitaka with Stephan from Soundwalk Collective. I wanted to go to the Tamagawa Canal that Dazai loved and also drowned with Tomie Yamazaki in a joint suicide (Shinju) with shortly before his 39th birthday. The water level was quite low and the canal much overgrown but Stephan threw a small microphone in the water and recorded for a future project. The water made a strange crackling sound rushing over stones and I’m certain we will make good use of it.
We were extremely happy to have this small adventure together in Mitaka. We stopped in the Dazai Osamu Literary Salon and looked at the plethora of Dazai books in every language. Of course ending with coffee to go with the writer’s image stamped on the to-go cup. A good productive pilgrimage. Soon I will be packing to say my farewells to all my old and new pals.
Thank you everyone. You can find Dazai’s books printed by New Directions. If you are in Tokyo our exhibition can be seen at MOT. Sending good wishes to all.
Hello, I hope your long journey wasn't too tiring.
Dazai Osamu's last work includes "Cherry Blossoms" (Outou), and cherry blossom trees bloom with white flowers. It was fortunate that Patti's choice of white flowers aligned with this.
June 19th, the day Dazai's body was found in the water, is called "Outouki" (Cherry Blossoms Memorial Day), and devoted readers visit his grave in Mitaka.
Incidentally, the paperback edition of his No Longer Human found at his grave was recently published. Patti's recent visit to his grave gained attention on Instagram, as Dazai has become popular among young people lately.
Mishima Yukio openly stated his dislike for Dazai's novels. Once, when a young person asked him why he disliked Dazai, Mishima replied that reading Dazai's novels made him want to die. Given that he disciplined his actions precisely because of such perceived weakness, it was a very Mishima-like answer.
Furthermore, the dialogue in Hiroshima was covered by three national newspapers, highlighting how truly rare it is for an American to offer such profound condolences and apology. Even Obama's visit felt merely ceremonial. It seemed to carry the same weight as the former Emperor and Empress's visit to the Philippines to offer their apologies.
In my work examining Asian patients, I sometimes apologize on behalf of the past actions of the Japanese military. Everyone remains silent; I understand that's just how it is.
Thank you so much for coming to Japan. The weather was mild and the period from late April to May when you were in Japan and Korea was like a dream for me.
Thank you Patti.
I always appreciate the stories behind your adventures.
I somehow feel transported there, momentarily.
I hope you have some memorable adventures while in Japan 🇯🇵