Hotels and Literature
Writers who loved Ise-Shima
From Shima Time, Autumn 2019 issue
At the autumn Restaurant “La Mer the Classic” a special dinner begins with the view of the setting sun reflecting the SHINJU the CLASSIC and ripples following the fishing boats floating in the inlet of Ago-Bay . It is said that the hotel was designed by Togo Murano, a genius in the Japanese architectural world, to provide a beautiful view of Ago-Bay.
The desk and chair used by Toyoko Yamazaki for writing (on display at the CLUB)
"As the sun sets and the tide begins to come in, a magnificent twilight descends on Ago-Bay on the Shima Peninsula."
Manuscript paper exclusively for Toyoko Yamazaki
This is the opening sentence of author Toyoko Yamazaki's novel "The Magnificent Clan." Having stayed at the hotel many times, Yamazaki contributed a special article to the hotel's in-house newsletter, titled "The Hometown of My Work," in which she wrote the following about her experience writing at the hotel: "I asked the head of the personnel department at the time to find out the time of sunset, and watched the sunset from various locations at that time. One time, hoping to capture the exact moment when the sun sank below the horizon, I watched the sun sink for hours, even days, from the window of the boiler room in the hotel's semi-basement. (Omitted) I still can't forget the joy I felt when I finished writing these few lines. The sight of the setting sun, splendidly painting the sky and sinking in flames, was the symbol of "The Magnificent Clan," and it was there that I was able to hear the first cry of the novel."
The special contribution states that the openings to his debut work, "Noren," and his Naoki Prize-winning work, "Hana Noren," were also written in a hotel room.
Yasushi Inoue, who was Yamazaki's boss when he worked at a newspaper company and is said to have taught him how to write articles, also wrote a novel set in a hotel. The novel "The Tilting Sea" tells the story of a group of guests with complicated backgrounds staying at the hotel (now the CLUB) at the time, who are attacked by the Ise Bay Typhoon, but who turn misfortune into good fortune.
Shima Kanko Hotel is popular with many writers, including Yukio Mishima, one of Japan's leading postwar literary figures, and author of "The Sound of Waves," set on Kamishima, an isolated island in Toba City about 50 minutes from the hotel.
The hotel, surrounded by beautiful sunsets and the natural beauty of the ria coast, offers a place and time that inspires artists and allows them to unleash their rich creativity.
A reading room with a spectacular view of Ago-Bay.
Find books of various genres
The Reading Room is a relaxing space where you can read books such as "The Magnificent Clan" while gazing out at Ago-Bay in the hotel where the novel was set. There are over 200 books available for guests from all over the world to enjoy, including stories and essays that teach you about the history of the land, photo books that give a sense of the rich culture and history of Ise-Shima, and art books.
Works of Mie's traditional craft "Ise Ittobori"
The bookshelves are categorized by various themes such as the beauty of Japan, stories of Ise-Shima and Japan, and aesthetics that connect with the world. They have been selected by Yoshitaka Haba of BACH, who is active both domestically and internationally, to match the hotel's theme and concept.
Also on display are traditional crafts from Mie Prefecture, objects that embody the beauty of Japan, Scandinavian design items that evoke the warmth of wood, and Akoya pearls that evoke the ocean of Shima.
Masataka Haba
Representative of BACH Co., Ltd., and book director. In order to bring people closer to books, he has created libraries in various locations, including public libraries, hospitals, zoos, schools, hotels, and offices. He has also worked on projects such as the Kobe Eye Center and JAPAN HOUSE LONDON, which selected books for the visually impaired, and in recent years has worked on many planning and editing projects using books as a resource. He also serves as creative director for the JFL soccer team Nara Club. He is a part-time lecturer at the Waseda University School of Culture, Media and Society and the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music School of Design.
A reading room located in the Guest Lounge
| Location | Guest Lounge(the CLASSIC 2F) Reading Room Listening Room |
|---|---|
| Time | 7:00-22:00 |
- Exclusively for staying guests.
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Shima Kanko Hotel quarterly magazine "Shima Time"
As the seasons change, Shima Kanko Hotel quarterly magazine, "Shima Time," introduces the four seasons of Ise-Shima through the local culture and abundant nature.
