TOKYO (ANN/THE JAPAN NEWS) – In a quaint corner of Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, a literary wonderland has taken shape, inviting readers of all ages to step into the enchanting universe crafted by the renowned author Eiko Kadono.
Unveiled to the press this week, the Maho no Bungakukan, affectionately known as Kiki’s Museum of Literature, promises a magical journey through the imagination of the mind behind Majo no Takkyubin (Kiki’s Delivery Service).
Set to open its doors to the public on November 3, this museum, officially named Edogawa-ku Kadono Eiko Jido Bungakukan (Edogawa Ward Eiko Kadono museum of children’s literature) is a tribute to the beloved children’s literature maestro.
Nestled within a serene municipal park, the museum stands as a three-story marvel, featuring a pristine white exterior designed by the architect Kengo Kuma.
As visitors venture inside, they are greeted by a vibrant burst of strawberry red, a colour synonymous with Kadono’s literary universe, adorning the interiors and infusing the space with the same warmth found in her stories.
The heart of the museum lies in its expansive library, home to a treasure trove of approximately 10,000 carefully curated children’s books handpicked by Kadono herself.
Now 88, Kadono lived in the ward from the age of 3 to 23.
In 2018, she received the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing, which is dubbed the Nobel Prize of children’s literature. The museum was built to honour and preserve her achievement for posterity.
Kadono, who became the director of the museum, attended a ceremony at the facility on Tuesday.
“I’ve been so excited about today,” she said. “I think this will be a place where not only Japanese people but also people from overseas can have fun.”
