Murakami, Haruki and Men's Cosmetics

ISHIWATA, Hiroshi. "Murakami Haruki and Politics: The Contemporary Reception of Haruki Boom"

Topic: Murakami Haruki and the Reception of His Novel
Issue: The readers/critiques of Murakami Haruki are indicating the “politicalless” of his novel


Muraki Haruki Boom after the 1990s

l His Novels Translated in over 30 Languages/Many Prizes/Nominated as the Novel Prize

l Searching the Reception of Murakami Haruki’s Nobels: from the Newspaper Articles in 2006

The Reception of Readers

l Positive: Readable (Easy to Translate/) and New (a New Generation of Japanese Writer)

l Political-less: Individualistic, Anti-Political (No Japan=US Security Treaty, Emperor System, No Globalisation), Transnationality (the Source of Popularity)

l The Critique of Political-less: à”Cultural Product” “a Tool for Consumerism”, “Cool Japan”

l The Critique of Political-less: àNew Japanese Soft Power; New “Political”: Imagination of Ethics

Questioning Political-less


Why is Murakami Haruki so popular all over the world now? Based on the research of the newspaper articles published in 2006, the reason of his popularity is inquired in this presentation. Among many diverse receptions of his readers and critics, the “political-less” character of his novels attracts/influences the readers as their common feeling. This includes the individualistic stance of the protagonists, the pro-commercialization attitude, the anti-political atmosphere of his novels, and the personalized/fragmented social problems which Murakami focuses on. The debate seems to be going on this ground of “political-less” character of novels whether they are just “tool[s] of commercialization” or “new ethical problematizations of the contemporaries.” Nevertheless, what we should not forget is the fact that this “political-less” individualistic situation in Japan is not really the natural result of society but the policy choice conducted by the establishments in Japan.
Good evening

“It is not Murakami enough”: Norwaigean Wood in Taiwan; Haruki Korean Students

translated in 30 languages, Prizes, the reception as Common, Even this year Nominated for Nobel Prize

Interested, Why is he such popular; The Reception of Murakami Novels, Newspaper

According to Articles

Positive; Readable (easy to read/translate): His Method of writing
New (new Image of Japan after Mishima, TAnizaki, Kawabata Generation)

Most of all, His Political-less Attitude

Indiviualistic Tone of Nobels ß1. the Protagonists are Individualistic-Oriented, and lonely, Sceptical about the Collective Entity,;

2. Anti-Political (No Japan=US Security Treaty, Emperor System, No Globalisation): Problems are among us

3. Transnationality \ßthe Sympathy of the Contemporaries not only in Japan, but also all over the world

çCritique; Criticise

çCritique; Not Really “Political” but “political”: underworld

Summary

I have a question; where is this “Individualistic/political-less situation” coming from?

From the 1980s Internationalization of Companies=Finance are ongoing ßAppreciation of Yen, Rise of Labor Cost, the State Encouraged this Process as well

àDeclining the Power of Labor Unions fairly Declined due to the place of work and Guarantee

The result, àFull of part-time due to the change of Labor law, Restructuring of Companies, Cutting down of Welfare, èChanging of Working Conditions: Shaking the Stable Collectivity of our society, Family, Education, Community àIs not It Necessary to Consider the Issue of Political Economy before Much Taliking about Ethics?

SUZUKI, Kaori. "Learn from Men’s Fashion Magazines in Bookstore"

I read the some newest Men’s Fashion Magazines. They have similar and different parts from women’s magazines in their feature articles. Both women and men have interested in fashion, cosmetic, rooms, cultures, and there are interviews of famous talents. But some articles about artists have fresh impression for me. Researches by some cosmetic companies point out men who want to be beautiful are increasing. Recent diversification of men’s fashion magazines seems like the movement in this context. How can we understand this new trend? Pharmaceutical companies and Cosmetic firms do research about the actual situation how men think about “Make-Up”. Men’s new trend is good opportunity for these companies to open up a new market. But this new trend is also one kind of release from oppression. Men’s new trend seems to have both sides as a release and to be a new consumer who is very convenient for Cosmetic firms.