Donald Keene "Seeds in the Heart"
Setagaya Literary Museum
Until Mar 8
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Donald Keene
Japanese literary scholar Donald Keene (1922-2019) began a lifelong study of Japan and Japanese culture after developing a deep interest in those subjects through a fateful encounter with Arthur Waley’s translation of The Tale of Genji and with Ryūsaku Tsunoda who taught Japanese Intellectual History. Donald Keene, who subsequently announced his naturalization as a Japanese citizen after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, dedicated his entire life to Japanese culture and literature.
“Looking back, I realize that the time I came to Japan and experienced so much inspiration was a golden age for Japanese culture comparable to the Heian and Genroku periods. I feel it was the greatest blessing from the bottom of my heart to come to Japan in those times, to subsequently live here, encounter many different people, and find a place to write.” - excerpt from the Chronicles of My Life: An American in the Heart of Japan
Who is Donald Keene, the man who learned more about Japan and Japanese culture than the Japanese people, and spent a lifetime teaching their appeal? What were the times he spent here that he described as a golden age? Tackling these questions will surely serve as a guidepost for those of us born in Japan to live in the global society of the future. This special 30th anniversary exhibit at the Setagaya Literary Museum speaks of the appeals of Japanese Culture along with the life work of Donald Keene.
“Looking back, I realize that the time I came to Japan and experienced so much inspiration was a golden age for Japanese culture comparable to the Heian and Genroku periods. I feel it was the greatest blessing from the bottom of my heart to come to Japan in those times, to subsequently live here, encounter many different people, and find a place to write.” - excerpt from the Chronicles of My Life: An American in the Heart of Japan
Who is Donald Keene, the man who learned more about Japan and Japanese culture than the Japanese people, and spent a lifetime teaching their appeal? What were the times he spent here that he described as a golden age? Tackling these questions will surely serve as a guidepost for those of us born in Japan to live in the global society of the future. This special 30th anniversary exhibit at the Setagaya Literary Museum speaks of the appeals of Japanese Culture along with the life work of Donald Keene.
Schedule Now in session | Nov 15 (Sat) 2025-Mar 8 (Sun) 2026 85 days left Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥1000; University and High School Students, Seniors 65 & Over ¥600; Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥300; Persons with Disability Certificates + 1 Companion free. | ||||
| Website | https://www.setabun.or.jp/exhibition/20251115-202600308_donaldkeene.html | ||||
| Venue | Setagaya Literary Museum http://www.setabun.or.jp/index.html | ||||
| Location | 1-10-10 Minami Karasuyama, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0062 | ||||
| Access | 5 minute walk from the South exit of Roka-koen Station on the Keo line; From the North exit of Chitose-Funabashi Station on the Odakyu Odawara line, take the Keio bus towards to Chitose-karasuyama Station. The venue is 5 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 03-5374-9111 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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