The shapes of the characters and the spaces around them reveal deep insights into the writer’s personality.
The special exhibition currently held at the Mori Ōgai Memorial Museum, ‘The World of 111 Postcards,’ brings together an extraordinary collection of postcards exchanged by literary and artistic figures. With seasonal greetings, thank-you notes, and personal exchanges about daily life and work—each handwritten postcard offers a unique glimpse into the sender’s thoughts and feelings.
These 111 handwritten postcards, spanning from the late 1880s to the late 1970s, were meticulously collected over 40 years by Sosetsu Kawakami, the 10th-generation head of the Edo Senke tea ceremony school. Donated to the museum in 2023, the collection underwent a year-long transcription process by experts, and a detailed catalog delves into their fascinating contents.
This exhibition offers a rare chance to explore not only the relationships between the senders and recipients but also the historical context surrounding their exchanges.
1st Postcard: Written by Mori Ogai, this is a thank-you note regarding the collection of materials for his writing.
2nd Postcard: Written by Hori Tatsuo, the postcard is filled with large, bold text saying, “I’m bored, so why don’t you come over?”
3rd Postcard: Written by Natsume Soseki, the use of katakana to spell his surname as ナツメ instead of kanji hints at the close relationship he shared with the recipient.
The more than 100 postcards in the collection captivate with both their calligraphy and content, likely due to the discerning eye of a tea master who carefully curated them.
When donating the collection, Sosetsu Kawakami requested that the exhibition allow visitors to see both sides of each postcard. In response, the display incorporates thoughtful touches, such as reproducing one side of the postcard alongside the original or standing the postcards upright. These creative methods bring variety and ensure the postcards’ charm is showcased to the fullest.
In the exhibition room dedicated to ‘Showa-era Postcards,’ the postcards are displayed upright in low cases, allowing visitors to view the handwritten messages on both sides.
The exhibition is divided into three sections: Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. The changes in postcard design, size, and materials from each era are clearly visible.
Each postcard carries words filled with emotions—joy, anger, sorrow—capturing the essence of the sender’s heart and delivered in a lasting form. Kiyoji Suda, the exhibition’s curator and emeritus professor at Otsuma University, likens the collection of 111 postcards to a tapestry weaving together a stunning scene. With the sentiments woven throughout the exhibition, it might just inspire you to send a handwritten note to reconnect with someone special.
1st Postcard: Created by Nihonga painter Ryushi Kawabata, this postcard features a vibrant illustration of fava beans alongside a haiku he composed for his birthday on June 6.
2nd Postcard: Written by art historian Yaichi Aizu, it showcases a masterful balance of calligraphy and painting within its compact, palm-sized space.
3rd Postcard: Written by politician Shozo Tanaka, its bold and dynamic strokes reflect his energetic personality.
4th Postcard: Penned by poet Takuboku Ishikawa, its soft brushstrokes beautifully echo the tone of his literary works.
Lastly, let’s take a moment to highlight the facility hosting this exhibition.
The Bunkyo City Mori Ogai Memorial Museum is dedicated to Mori Ogai, a prominent figure from the Meiji to Taisho eras who balanced his career as an army surgeon with his work as a novelist and translator. The museum was established in 2012 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ogai’s birth, on the site where he lived from his 30s until his death at age 60. Designed by architect Fumio Touki, the building features a minimalist modern aesthetic. Its exterior is composed of unadorned concrete, while the interior pairs its bold walls with a touch of warmth from elegant wooden accents.
1st Image : Exterior
2nd Image : Morikine Cafe
At the back of the first floor is Morikine Café, offering seasonal treats, including baked goods inspired by Ōgai’s connection to Germany. From the café’s expansive frameless windows, visitors can admire an ancient ginkgo tree, said to have stood watch over the grounds since Ōgai’s time.
After immersing yourself in the world of these postcards, take a moment to reflect and savor the lingering echoes of your journey under the timeless presence of the ginkgo tree.
From the tranquil atmosphere of Morikine Café, the majestic ginkgo tree comes into view.
The stark concrete exudes a sense of gravitas.
Mori Ogai Memorial Museum
Address: 1-23-4 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3824-5511
https://moriogai-kinenkan.jp/
