As a young person, Satoshi Yagisawa recalls the role books played in his life. “I was saved by books, and I also wanted to write books that would save people. This is where the journey of writing my Morisaki bookshop books began.”
The Japanese author, in his first international festival appearance, took the stage at The Hindu Lit For Life, in conversation with Rachna Davidar, festival director, to a packed audience of fans who thronged to listen to him speak about the charming world from his books, Days At The Morisaki Bookshop and More Days At The Morisaki Bookshop, both translated by Eric Ozawa.
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“I was very surprised and happy to learn that my books have such a big fan following here. I was encouraged to come here and am really happy that Indians have been so welcoming towards me,” Mr. Yagisawa said.
Ms. Rachna said that while Mr. Yagisawa’s books are about the rich and varied lives of its characters, she also described his writing as being a wonderful study of books in our time.
Speaking about Takako, whose uncle Satoru owns the Morisaki bookshop, Mr. Yagisawa said that while she experiences a very deep heartbreak in life which prompts her to go to the bookshop, it is here that she learns that life begins when she is able to overcome her heartbreak.
“The Morisaki bookshop might not exist in Jimbocho where the books are set, but there are many second-hand bookstores there and I want you to feel like this is one of them,” he said. “There are many books I mention in my book, and it might be difficult for Indians to get hold of some of these older books written in Japanese. These are gems and if you get a chance to read the books mentioned, you will be happy because they talk about being deeply human,” he added.
Responding to a question from Ms. Rachna about how books connect readers to one another, especially how scond-hand books often come with passages underlined from previous readers, Mr. Yagisawa recalled feeling happy and connected when he finds similar markings in books from its past owners.
“It connects people from different times and places. You might not know what the person looks like, but you know how they felt when they read the book,” he said.
Mr. Yagisawa also underscored how it should not matter how much knowledge one gathers while they read a book, and what should matter instead is “how a book deeply touches them”.
“We always need to be on the lookout for books that touch us deeply and affect our lives; not just the ones that give us knowledge but the books that leave a lasting impact on us,” he said.
While he initially did not plan on writing a sequel to Days At The Morisaki Bookshop, he said that the sequel was born after a request from his publisher.
“The writing process was pretty tedious, but once I wrote it and sent it into the world, I was glad to have written it,” he said.
Given how his first two books delve so deeply into the world of books and the effect it has on the humans around it, Mr. Yagisawa too said that being in a library or a bookshop makes him feel calm. “Even if I am not reading books, it makes me feel calm and like I am being saved by it,” he said.
The Hindu Lit For Life is presented by The all-new Kia Seltos. In association with: Christ University and NITTE, Associate Partners: Orchids- The International School, Hindustan Group of Institutions, State Bank of India, IndianOil, Indian Overseas Bank, New India Assurance, Akshayakalpa, United India Insurance, ICFAI Group, Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, Vajiram & Sons, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Mahindra University, Realty Partner: Casagrand, Education Partner: SSVM Institutions, State Partner: Government of Sikkim & Uttarakhand Government
Official Timekeeping Partner: Citizen, Regional Partner: DBS Bank India Ltd, Tourism Partner: Bihar Tourism, Bookstore Partner: Crossword and Water Partner: Repute Radio partner: Big FM
