Murakami T: The T-Shirts I Love (村上T: 僕の愛したTシャツたち, Murakami T: boku no ai shita tishatsutachi) is a book by Haruki Murakami that was originally serialized in Popeye from 2018 to 2020 before getting published by Magazine House in 2020.[1] It predominantly consists of pictures of T-shirts owned by Murakami with occasional personal essays. In 2021, an English translation by longtime collaborator Philip Gabriel was released by Knopf.[2] The book's English release was accompanied by a collection of T-shirts and merchandise from Out of Print.[3]
 | |
| Author | Haruki Murakami |
|---|---|
| Translator | Philip Gabriel |
| Language | Japanese |
| Publisher | Magazine House (Japanese) Knopf (English) |
Publication date | June 4, 2020 (Japanese) November 23, 2021 (English) |
| ISBN | 978-4838731077 |
| Preceded by | 一人称単数 (First Person Singular) |
| Followed by | 職業としての小説家 (Novelist as a Vocation) |
Contents
editThe book showcases some of Murakami's T-shirts—most of them acquired while thrifting in Tokyo or while traveling—which he collects in cardboard boxes and frequently wears. Some of the T-shirts in the book are accompanied by essays.
In The New Yorker, a few months before the book's English release, Murakami shared some highlights of his T-shirt collection including T-shirts with phrases like "I put ketchup on my ketchup" and T-shirts branded after Heineken, Sigillum Universitatis Islandiae, and the Ramones.[4] For The New York Times, Murakami stated that he never intended to amass such a large collection of T-shirts, though he found that wearing T-shirts represented "freedom" for him as a writer.[3] In Vanity Fair, Murakami stated that the book came about during writing sessions when he wasn't "in the mood to write fiction" but nonetheless wanted to write something.[5]
Critical reception
editPublishers Weekly called it a "collection of beguiling pieces" and a "charming ramble".[6] Kirkus Reviews said the book "provides some surprising insights into the humble, real Murakami."[7]
Vanity Fair noted that the book's writing possessed the "candid, unassuming tone that characterizes his nonfiction."[5] The Atlantic wrote that the book was "part ode, part exhibit that reads with restrained affection for his accidental accumulations."[8] The Japan Society said of the book: "As always, it's Murakami's mixture of casual friendliness paired with a kind of sagely wisdom that charms in the extreme."[9]
References
edit- ^ 村上, 春樹 (June 4, 2020). 村上T 僕の愛したTシャツたち. マガジンハウス. ISBN 978-4838731077.
- ^ Murakami, Haruki (November 23, 2021). Murakami T: The T-Shirts I Love. Translated by Gabriel, Philip. Knopf. ISBN 978-0593320426.
- ^ a b Kambhampaty, Anna P. (November 18, 2021). "Haruki Murakami Unpacks His T-Shirt Collection". The New York Times.
- ^ Murakami, Haruki (2021-09-20). "An Accidental Collection". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ a b Landsbaum, Claire (2021-10-27). ""Even a Novelist Has to Wear Something": Haruki Murakami Puts His Massive T-shirt Collection on Display". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ "Murakami T: The T-Shirts I Love by Haruki Murakami". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ MURAKAMI T | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ Lau, Charlene K. (2021-11-16). "The Personality Test in Your Closet". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ Green, Laurence. "Murakami T: The T-Shirts I Love". The Japan Society. Retrieved 2024-11-09.