A couple was sitting close to each other behind the frosted glass of the Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum

Frosted glass at Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum

I once lived in the Waseda area more than 20 years ago. There is a monument marking the birthplace of Soseki Natsume on Natsume-zaka, which stretches from in front of the station, and I knew at the time that the address "Kikui-cho" was derived from the family crest of the Natsume family, "chrysanthemum in a well". The Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum in Waseda Minami-cho was built on the site where Soseki spent his last years in "Soseki Sanso."

Although I must have lived nearby, I have no recollection of the museum. I have no recollection of ever visiting or even passing by it. It was only in 2017 that this museum was opened. No wonder I don't remember a single thing about it. For no reason at all, I felt relieved and entered the memorial hall. It is interesting to see Soseki Natsume's study restored inside.

Surprisingly, this is the first full-fledged Soseki Memorial Hall in Japan. When it comes to Japanese literature, one cannot avoid Dazai Osamu, but one cannot avoid Natsume Soseki. Despite the fact that Soseki was such a great writer, there has never been a museum built to commemorate him. Perhaps it is because literature was considered a trivial and insignificant pastime in the face of the great goal of Meiji Japan, which was to become a wealthy nation with a strong military.

Comment via

日本語