Ruri-hime & the 'Traveling with Books' anthology I contributed to will be released tomorrow

Someone who taught me the joy of the classics through novels that depicted them as entertainment.
Someone who made me think, "I can write like this too," through numerous candid, tomboyish (an outdated term, haha) essays written in her own voice.
Someone who, from an era before the words feminism and sisterhood had permeated society,
has been depicting the struggles of women, and the girls who run headlong toward the things they love.
Someone who loved the stage (especially Takarazuka), and once she started chasing it, would ignore her manuscripts,
or rather, someone who would write while stuffing manuscripts into her bag and running around, sometimes even while moving house. Someone who couldn't stop long phone calls with friends, and who loved good men and good women.
Saeko Himuro still lives in my heart like that,
and even though she is an author I admire whom I have never met since I first encountered her in my first year of junior high,
she feels like a close older sister,
or like a chatty senior at school,
or rather, like a cool teacher at school who, outside of class, would personally befriend you and chat excitedly about the boy you like or about books,
I am surely not the only one who feels that way.

When she passed away in 2008, I alsowrote like this.

The other day, while browsing for books that caught my eye at a bookstore in an unfamiliar town,
I suddenly saw this book stacked on a table.

Why now?! Stop it! I'm going to end up buying it! Seriously! Give me a break!
This kind of "book related to a favorite author" is nothing but dangerous.
(Hinako Sugiura, Osamu Hashimoto, etc., all kept carefully and securely)

And yet, of course, I bought it.

But it feels like a waste to keep reading it.

Yeah, I still haven't read it all, or rather, I haven't read it.

I'm keeping the "little bit left" carefully in my pile of unread books.

The feelings contributed by many authors,
introductions to the works written, nostalgic short stories, dialogues between people I love.
From all of that, the author that is her emerges.

"Ah, I have been reading this person all along."

I felt happy, all fluttery and light.

It is often said that there are many people who learned the charm of the classics through "Nante Suteki ni Japanesque" back then.
Among them, I am surely not the only one who got excited over the tragic Yoshino-kun (the overly beautiful monk) who appears in Japanesque, cried over his fate, and still holds a feeling like a first love for him, just like the protagonist Ruri-hime.

Wait, are you on Team Takaki? I see, as an adult, that's definitely the one! I get it!
I found myself getting excited all by myself like that.

The mental playback and mental reenactment of those famous scenes won't stop.

When I was in elementary school,
ever since I was shocked by watching "Super Kabuki" on a television theater broadcast,
I started watching stage performances.
I became even more interested in the classics and historical epic romances.

After that, it was through borrowing from a friend that I encountered Saeko Himuro.

I had already met Seiko Tanabe, so I think that's also why I got hooked.

After all, Yoshino-kun is (one of) my first loves.

And perhaps it's because I'm not young anymore that I'm reminiscing about the past and soaking in sentimentality like this.
I smile bitterly, but crying and laughing, it is, after all, sentimentality. These days. Various things.

It's nice, isn't it? Just look at the catchphrase on the cover.

"The eternal youth novel author we loved"

Inside us, "Ruri-hime" from "Japanesque" will surely remain forever.
Ruri-hime must be living on.
Beyond the Heian period, beyond the Showa and Heisei eras, she is still fresh, pop, tomboyish, and true to herself.
Or rather, perhaps we who admired Ruri-hime are Ruri-hime ourselves, surely, forever.

Or something like that. Hehe.

*

So, today I've shared a little bit of memories, and please let me make another announcement.

I mentioned it in my notes and tweets on Twitter, but
from the Tabitosakusha (Travel and Speculation Company) that I am indebted to,
an essay collection "TabistoryBooks" by various wonderful and fun authors will be released.

The commemorative "inaugural issue" will finally appear tomorrow, May 21st.

The theme of the first volume is "Books," "Traveling with Books, This Book and That Book in Life"
That's a pretty difficult topic, isn't it? (haha)
What kind of books did the nine authors choose, and what kind of memories did they write about?
I am very humbled to be among such amazing people, but
I wrote about a small encounter.
(Although I didn't touch on Saeko Himuro's works here)

I would be very happy if you could pick it up.

First of all, sales will begin tomorrow at the event called "Literature Flea Market Tokyo."

It seems to be at the booth [Z-7, 8] for "Tabitosakusha & Shuppatsuten."

You can purchase it not only at tomorrow's event, but also at the web store and in-store.

Sales will begin at 11:00 AM tomorrow at the web store (page below) of the company's bookstore, 'Shuppatsuten' in Yushima, Tokyo.

You can also buy it at the shop itself (they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so they will be open from the 24th).

I would be happy if you could take a look at it along with the books I am selling at my 'two-box shelf owner' spot (a two-box bookstore inside the shop where I place books I want to share with you all; I plan to organize and swap them out again at the end of the month) that I mentioned the other day.
Please feel free to take home the free paper in the shelf that serves as my business card.
(I wrote one example of how to get to the shop here the other day, so please refer to it if you like.)

Through various books and memories of various books,
I think it would be wonderful and I would be happy if connections were made.

To the past, and to the future.

May it be a good encounter with many people, and with you.

◆◆◆
The following is a brief self-introduction.
Please bear with me if you would like.
(Two small announcements from the other day have also been added 📚🆕 Please come to the bookstore)

My name is Momoko Nakamura (Touka Butai), a composition writer/writer/columnist/essayist.

I am a writer fascinated by popular entertainment,
traveling theater (popular theater),
and now, striptease 🦋♥ and strip theaters.

I usually work on radio program composition, materials, CM writing, various texts, and catchphrases.

I love theaters. My interest in humans is endless.

After experiencing theater appreciation (Kabuki, musicals, Shinkansen, small theaters, performing arts, professional wrestling) and theater troupe activities during my student days (writing/directing/production/acting),
I studied under a music director of a certain theater troupe, a late Kansai comedy writer, and an essayist who loves Osaka.
After that, I worked at an Osaka production company and advertising agency before going freelance.

I love the stage, books, and of course theaters and humans, and oh, alcohol too, and I have been writing about humans wholeheartedly.

I am currently working on two manuscript projects (book adaptations) that are my lifework.

I am updating my daily 'various things' note 'Touka Butai' as a way to show my face and train my muscles.
I would also be happy if you followed me on various platforms.

[Twitter] and [Instagram] and [Instagram for book reviews]

Oh, I have also been running a two-box second-hand bookstore at the bookstore 'Shuppatsuten' in Yushima, Tokyo, since May 1st.

Detailed profile, background, and greetings can be found on the top page of the blog below.
Please feel free to contact me or request work from here or via DM. Please, by all means.

I am currently serializing two types of columns in 'tabistory,' a web magazine by the Kanto-based publisher Tabito Shisaku-sha.

A tavern story 'Kokoro Hadaka, Pittanko' (currently 17 episodes) and
a story about important places 'Home' (currently 4 episodes including a spin-off)

I have also been doing various writing jobs related to traveling theater and popular theater for a long time.
Writing, catchphrases, planning/composition for videos, various texts, scripts, ghostwriting for actors, and catchphrases and text for DVD packages.
The DVD-included magazine 'Engeki no Tomo' that I was in charge of has ceased publication, but past videos are available on the YouTube channel.
Back issues of this are also available at the aforementioned 'Shuppatsuten'.

I look forward to working with you in the future. May I have a connection with you.