Murakami in public

After two decades, recluse Haruki Murakami to make an appearance in Japan

BY JEVA LANGE

Following the release of his highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed newest novel, "Shikisai wo Motanai Tasaki Tsukuru to Kare no Junrei no Toshi," May marks Murakami's first public appearance in Japan since 1995, when he spoke following the destructive Kobe earthquake that inspired his collection, "After the Quake."

While Americans still anxiously wait for word on an English-language release date for Murakami’s latest, the author will take to the podium across the Pacific at a seminar in Kyoto. No stranger to literary prizes himself (he’s received the Franz Kafka Prize, the Jerusalem Prize, and been rumored to have a shot at a Nobel), Murakami’s appearance kicks off a new award in honor of the late Hayao Kawai, an old friend of Murakami’s.

The L.A. Times jokes of fans buying plane tickets to Japan, although at this point we’re starting to get tempted. Flights from New York City start at $860.

(Photo: Facebook)

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/2013/04/after-two-decades-recluse-haruki-murakami-to-make-an-appearance-in-japan