Spirituality and tradition of Japan in some of Murakami's fictions

Abstract

Murakami's literary work is characterized by its combination of a reflection of the contemporary world, which provokes social and personal maladjustment in his protagonists, with the inclusion of extraordinary creatures, phenomena, and environments in his plots. Among this distinctive fantastical material, it is interesting to discover the presence of aspects of Japanese tradition, its imagery and its religious beliefs andspirituality (Shintoism, Buddhism, Zen). From this perspective, it is necessary to examine literary motifs such as characters of supernatural origin (ghosts, spirits), objects with special properties (the mirror), and spiritual guidelines provided by this worldview, which address essential questions (death, existence, etc.). This analysis draws on specialized monographs about the author, both from the Spanish-speaking world (Carlos Rubio, Justo Sotelo) and the English-speaking world (M.C. Strecher, J. Rubin). Sociological studies on Japan (Y. Sugimoto) and introductory explanations of religious beliefs and spiritual practices (S. Ono, T. Deshimaru) have also been consulted. It is equally essential to consider the author's own statements regarding his narrative approach to this subject.