MURAKAMI T

The popular writer dishes on one of his unusual hobbies.

Murakami admits he’s not really a serious collector, but he does have many vinyl records, books, dinky little pencils, and T-shirts “that just keep on piling up.” These short, witty, and conversational essays originally appeared in a Japanese men’s fashion magazine. No suspense here, as he immediately confesses his “Tony Takitani” shirt he bought in Maui for $1 is his favorite. It inspired Murakami to write a story about him, which later became a film—absolute, best investment I ever made, he tells us, tongue-in-cheek. The author’s personal interests and shirts often coalesce, like surfing and swimming shirts, sports he enjoyed; hamburgers (preferably American) and ketchup; whiskey, which he enjoys while listening to music, mostly jazz; and beers, especially Guinness, in Ireland—“Talk about tasty.” Murakami has a number of promotional shirts from his publishers that he doesn’t wear; it wouldn’t be right walking around “loudly proclaiming” himself. An avid, global visitor of record stores, he’s amassed a sizable number of their shirts. He also likes animal-design T’s—“they are pretty cute.” He is partial to shirts with just writing on them, and he likes to get shirts as souvenirs of music concerts he’s attended. For example, he proudly discussed a Bruce Springsteen T from the recent Broadway concert and a Beach Boys Smile tour T from a few years back. He wears his VW Beetle T because it doesn’t “seem like you’re putting on airs.” A committed long-distance runner, Murakami has many shirts that commemorate his races, including the Murakami (no relation) Triathlon. No surprise that he has some related to books, including one from Portland, Oregon’s Powell’s Books, a free gift for signing some books. This lively peek into his collection provides some surprising insights into the humble, real Murakami.

A playful, witty, nostalgic journey with an acclaimed novelist.