Ibaraki City Kawabata Yasunari Museum of Literature to Hold Special Exhibition Commemorating Kawabata Yasunari's Birth Month in Reiwa 8: "Kamakura Bunko's Kawabata Yasunari - Lending Books, Publishing, and Discovering New Talent"

The Ibaraki City Kawabata Yasunari Museum of Literature (2-11-25 Kamishojoji, Ibaraki City) will hold a special exhibition commemorating Kawabata Yasunari's birth month in Reiwa 8, titled "Kamakura Bunko's Kawabata Yasunari - Lending Books, Publishing, and Discovering New Talent," from Saturday, June 6th to Monday, July 13th.

Kamakura Bunko, a bookstore that lent books, was started in May 1945 (Showa 20) by writers residing in Kamakura who brought their personal book collections together. It became very popular because many people desired printed matter and sought solace in reading during the emergency period, and its profits are said to have supported the livelihoods of writers whose activities were restricted during the war. After the war, it expanded into the publishing industry, and the magazines it published became a platform for young writers such as Yukio Mishima.

This exhibition will introduce Kamakura Bunko from its inception to its closure through letters, magazines, and books. It will focus on the activities of Kawabata Yasunari, who played a central role, and delve into his book lending and publishing businesses, as well as his aspirations for discovering new talent.

Previously unpublished letters from Kawabata Yasunari will also be exhibited for the first time.

Reiwa 8 Commemorative Special Exhibition for Kawabata Yasunari's Birth Month "Kamakura Bunko's Kawabata Yasunari - Lending Books, Publishing, and Discovering New Talent"

Exhibition Period: Saturday, June 6, Reiwa 8 - Monday, July 13, Reiwa 8

Venue: Commemorative Room, Ibaraki City Kawabata Yasunari Museum of Literature

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Closed: Tuesdays

Admission Fee: Free

Main Exhibits

・Letters from Kawabata Yasunari

To Riichi Yokomitsu (November 2, 1945)

To Shiga Naoya (February 8, 1946)

To Makoto Hojo (April 6, 1949)...First public showing

・Kamakura Bunko Published Magazines: "Ningen," "Fujin Bunko," etc.

・Kamakura Bunko Published Books: Yukio Mishima's "Yoru no Jitaku" (1947), etc.

Ibaraki City Homepage "Kawabata Yasunari Birth Month Commemorative Special Exhibition"