The boundary between daily life and myth, or otherworld

“So we got the right spot picked out. Now what are you going to do?” “I’ve got to find the entrance stone.” “Entrance stone?” “That’s right.” (Kafka on the Shore, ch.24)

Murakami’s “surreality” exists in the boundaries between daily life and the twisted otherworld. I wonder if you have experienced such an unrealistic reality in your daily life.

I had one on the Enthronement Ceremony Day of today in Tokyo when the New Emperor ascended the three Imperial Regalias, the Jewel, the Mirror, and the Sword.

In the myth, the Sword was found in one of the tails of legendary 8-headed and 8-tailed Gigantic Serpent when it was defeated in the ancient time. It is said that the Sword still retains the force to generate clouds and rain when it is presented, as it did it for the Gigantic Serpent long long time ago.

Today, due to the tropical cyclone, it had rained in the morning when the ritual had been in preparation but calmed down as the ritual started and the Sword was treasured.

Isn’t it a literary attitude to extend the imagination and admire the unrealistic reality as we do with reading in daily life?

Wishing you a happy day.