Introduction

This chapter introduces the purpose of the book, which is to analyse the evolution of what Murakami describes as the power of monogatari, which I translate as narrative or storytelling. I argue that Murakami’s power of monogatari lies in his use of distancing effects, whereby individuals cross into a different context, through which they can effectively observe themselves and reality. Briefly explaining Murakami’s phenomenal popularity both in Japan and outside Japan and the state of studies of the author in Japanese and English, the chapter points out the problems that have appeared in Murakami Studies, which cluster around scholars and critics’ exclusive focus on why Murakami’s works sell so well. I instead emphasise the importance of considering Murakami’s representation of “the power of narrative.” Referring also to the 1995 Tokyo sarin gas attack, the chapter explains how the author developed his belief in the power of narrative through his research on Aum shinrikyo, the cult that conducted the terrorism.