About
In a quiet residential area of Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, the Yasunari Kawabata Literary Museum stands quietly in a corner. This is the place where Yasunari Kawabata spent his childhood through to his graduation from the old-style junior high school, and it can be said to be the origin of his literature.
When you open the doors of the museum, Kawabata’s world unfolds amid the silence. In the exhibition room, about 400 materials such as his handwritten manuscripts, letters, and first editions are displayed, inviting visitors to trace the trajectory of his creative work. In particular, the model of the house where he lived with his grandparents offers a glimpse into his childhood life and helps visitors to deeply understand the background of his works.
Inside the museum, Kawabata’s beloved study has been recreated, allowing visitors to feel how he produced his masterpieces and to sense his presence. In the video corner, films about his life and works are shown, providing a deeper experience of his literature.
Every June, the month of Kawabata’s birth, a special exhibition is held, offering new perspectives on his works and life. In addition, exhibitions by local artists and literary lectures are held from time to time, making the museum a place for cultural exchange in the community.
After leaving the museum and strolling around the area, you will find the roads and scenery that Kawabata likely walked through. The sights he saw, the winds he felt, and the sounds he heard still breathe in this place. By walking while feeling this atmosphere, you can gain a deeper understanding of the emotions and aesthetic sense embedded in his works.
The Yasunari Kawabata Literary Museum is a place of solace for those who love his literature, as well as for those newly encountering his works. By visiting here, you may touch upon his worldview and sensibility, and find an opportunity to reflect on your own inner self.