Haruki Murakami, the 76‑year‑old Tokyo novelist, was in New York last week to hear his prose turned into song and to receive two prestigious honors in Manhattan.
Lifetime of Excellence Award
The Center for Fiction gala, held at the Cipriani 25 Broadway, presented Murakami with its Lifetime of Excellence in Fiction Award. The award has previously been given to Nobel laureates Toni Morrison and Kazuo Ishiguro. Patti Smith introduced the author with the ballad “Wing” and later recalled, “I was hooked, immediately.” She held up an old copy of Murakami’s debut novel, “Hear the Wind Sing,” and read its opening sentence.
Murakami Mixtape Tribute
Two days later, the Japan Society co‑hosted a sold‑out bilingual evening at The Town Hall titled “Murakami Mixtape.” The event was presided over by jazz pianist Jason Moran, translator‑publisher Motoyuki Shibata and author‑scholar Roland Nozomu Kelts. They selected passages from “Hard‑Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World,” “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running,” the short story “The 1963/1982 Girl from Ipanema,” and an essay about New York before Murakami had seen it. The program also featured a jam with 88‑year‑old bassist Reggie Workman on the title track of a live Blakey album, “Ugetsu.” Murakami briefly read a portion in Japanese from “Kafka on the Shore” and noted that he might have been a musician instead of a writer, but he could not bear to rehearse every day.
Reflections on New York and Japan
Murakami questioned the very existence of New York City, saying, “Does New York City really exist? I don’t believe, one hundred percent, the existence of the city. Ninety‑nine percent, I would say.” He recalled that in 1991, during the 50th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was advised to stay home. He described the era as “the height of Japan bashing,” adding that events allowed people to purchase a hammer for a dollar and strike a Japanese car. Murakami expressed that Japan often appears to lack a real face or identity, and that contemporary Japanese fiction was rarely found in American bookstores. He felt a real sense of crisis as a Japanese writer, but later noted that young Japanese authors now venture abroad, gaining recognition across music, film, anime, and more. He concluded that Japan’s cultural face has finally emerged.
Key Takeaways
- Murakami received the Center for Fiction Lifetime of Excellence Award and a Japan Society prize.
- The jazz tribute showcased rare passages and a jam with Reggie Workman.
- Murakami reflected on New York’s perception and Japan’s evolving cultural identity.
Muraki’s Manhattan celebrations highlighted both his literary legacy and his role in bridging U.S. and Japanese culture.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
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