Snippets of Japan #3: Norwegian Wood
Navigating emotional landscapes
Haruki Murakami, the master of weaving emotion and solitude into the tapestry of human relationships, wrote one of my favorite books: "Norwegian Wood." Renowned for his distinctive blend of reality and fantasy, he brilliantly explores themes of intimacy, young love, and the depths of friendship — capturing the essence of emotional transience. Murakami’s work has been fundamental in shaping my understanding of who I am, in my making sense of the world, and deepening my exploration of emotionality.
I was in my early twenties when a friend introduced me to "Norwegian Wood." Like the central characters—Toru, Naoko, Midori, Nagasawa, and Kizuki—I was deeply in love and deeply in friendship, all the while grappling with the complexities of life, love, and of knowing myself. I navigated my own emotions as Murakami’s characters explored theirs in Tokyo. They would wait for the first morning train home at the mangakissa of Tokyo, and I would physically be at my Lisbon apartment, while at the same time emotionally roaming the streets of Tokyo. I remember the feeling of finding warmth in Tokyo’s kissaten over a decade before I ever went there. I built such a clear mind map of the city, that when I first landed in Tokyo, many years later, I could almost see Naoko and Toru walking around Yotsuya station. To this day, whenever I’m in Tokyo, I can still feel like I’m in the Tokyo of the late 60’s, when the novel is set.
The other day, a friend asked me which of Murakami’s books he should read first. I said that with this author, I lack objectivity. His words are deeply intertwined with my emotional life and have become and integral part of my very fabric. What I can say is, “Norwegian Wood” is where I fell in love. I started here.
If you dream of experiencing the landscapes of Murakami firsthand, consider joining me on the 2024 NAMKHA Trip to Japan! Immerse yourself in the unique tapestry of Japanese culture on a journey that promises to be deeply enriching. If you prefer traveling solo and seek guidance in crafting a tailor-made itinerary, feel free to get in touch. I would be delighted to assist you!
As I reflect on the profound journey "Norwegian Wood" has led me on, transporting me from the streets of Lisbon to the nostalgic corners of Tokyo, I appreciate how Haruki Murakami invites us into worlds where emotion and memory weave together, guiding the reader through landscapes both familiar and foreign. This novel is a shared experience of youthful reflections and the bittersweet taste of growing up. If you're yearning to explore the depths of human connection or to simply get lost in a beautifully troubled narrative, then I can recommend “Norwegian Wood”. You may find a piece of yourself in its pages, just as I find fragments of my soul in Murakami’s words.
