Filippo's Journey: Exploring Japanese Literature, Toys, and the Charms of Shikoku

Filippo's Journey: Exploring Japanese Literature, Toys, and the Charms of Shikoku

Recently, at the request of an old Italian friend, I had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Filippo from the University of London, who specializes in Japanese literature. This was Filippo's first visit to Ehime, and as a devoted fan of Nobel Prize-winning author Kenzaburō Ōe, who hails from Uchiko Town, he made sure to visit Ōse, a location featured in Ōe’s works.

To my amazement, Filippo was highly proficient in Japanese. When I asked him about his motivation for learning the language, he explained that his childhood love for Japanese anime and manga eventually led him to teach Japanese literature at the University of London. It was a reminder of just how deeply Japanese culture influences people around the world.

Additionally, Filippo is a passionate toy collector. He amusingly mentioned that his wife often scolds him for not tidying up his collection—something I found quite endearing.

Kenzaburō Ōe’s Literature and the Allure of Japan

In 1994, Kenzaburō Ōe was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The committee praised him for "creating an imagined world where reality and myth condense to form a disconcerting picture of the human predicament today." This particular evaluation, emphasizing the fusion of reality and myth, resonated with me deeply.

As the number of foreign visitors to Japan continues to rise, I find myself reflecting on what aspects of Japan captivate them the most. What we see as ordinary might appear to them as something mythical or extraordinary.

Experiencing the Flavors of Shikoku

Since this was Filippo’s first time in Shikoku, I took him to Dōgo Onsen to relax before introducing him to "Kyōdo Ryōri Kadoya," a local restaurant in Dōgo. There, he had his first taste of tai-meshi (sea bream rice) and jakoten (fried fish cake).

“Kadoya” serves the traditional cuisine of my hometown, Uwajima. Jakoten <YouTube Video>  is a widely loved dish throughout Ehime, and Filippo seemed to greatly enjoy it. What made the evening even more special was discovering that the restaurant stocked "Nobushi<YouTube Video> ," a local sake from Matsuno Town that I had previously enjoyed with BBQ Samurai and Char. Sharing this drink with Filippo was a delightful surprise.

Japan’s "Mythical Worldview" in Our Daily Lives

Although we believe we understand our own history and culture, there are still so many things we take for granted or overlook. The fact that foreigners are drawn to Japan through anime and tokusatsu (special effects films) suggests that what we consider our everyday life might, in their eyes, be "a condensed world of reality and myth."

Japan is a country deeply connected to mythology, and perhaps to outsiders, we appear as people living within that mythical world. My encounter with Filippo was a valuable opportunity to reconsider the depth of Japanese culture. Moving forward, I hope to cherish these cultural exchanges and continue rediscovering Japan’s unique appeal.