In the works of two famous Japanese writers - Haruki Murakami (b. 1949) and Masahiko Shimada (b. 1961) - the image of Russia and, in particular, the theme of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands reveals itself with quite interesting frequency. In 2003-2004, both authors published completely different books in genre: one is dedicated to Sakhalin (recall that from 1905 to 1945, the southern part of this island was under the jurisdiction of Japan and was called the Karafuto governorate), the other-to the island of Iturup, which belongs to the Kuril Islands. What is the picture of modern Sakhalin and Iturup in the works of Japanese writers and what preceded such attention of authors, whose general content of books is rather surreal than has exact analogies with the real world? PERSONAL WISHES AND EDITORIAL ASSIGNMENT Being popular among modern Russian readers, Japanese writer Haruki Murakami first visited Russia only in the summer of 2003. Moreover, the writer began the geographical "development" of Russia from its eastern borders - from Sakhalin. Coming to the island was due, on the one hand, to the personal desire of the writer himself, who intended to visit the eastern outskirts of Russia in the company of his Russian translator Dmitry Kovalenin, on the other - a specific order from the Japanese glossy magazine "Title". The editorial task was reduced to the need to tell in a form accessible to the average reader about what kind of entertainment package Japanese people can get if they go on the next foreign trip to the Far Eastern region. The assignment of the magazine's management was carried out by Murakami together with his colleagues in the creative workshop - Yumi Yoshimoto and Kyoichi Tsuzuki, who, together with the writer, are members of a self - created association with an intricate name - "Tokyo Dried Cuttlefish Club". The name "club" was most likely given by analogy with the speed and maneuverability of movement of shellfish in sea waters. The speed of exploring u ... Read more