I chose this book to read because I am interested in art history, Japanese culture, and music history. I have also read Muraki’s other books like 1Q84, the Wind Up Bird Chronicle, Stange Library, and After Dark and I wanted to read what this story was about. When I first look at the cover of the book Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami, it’s a pair of eyes staring off into the distance in a blue background. I didn’t know what to expect from the title of the story because from what it sounds like, it has to do with violence of some matter. The book was published in 2018 so it is fairly new. I have never been to Japan, but I do want to visit there some time because from what I’ve read about and watched on tv about, they seem strict, very proper but also fun.

When I began to read it, I like that it discusses art history through ancient Japanese art periods. The Asuka period was from 538 to 710 ad.

There are the characters Masahiko Amanda, Tomohiko Amanda, Yuzu, Komichi or Komi, Mr. Menshiki, Mariye

The places described in the story are Odawara, Tokyo, mountains out and n the middle of nowhere outside of Odawara, and Vienna, Austria.

The artist likes to paint abstracts because they don’t have a clear meaning and one has to infer about why he was painting it. Killing Commedatore is a Japanese painting that depicts a father getting stabbed with a sword and becoming bloodied with it from his son. It’s an ancient artwork. I like how the book describes ancient Japanese art periods so far because I did not know anything about it. I hadn’t studied that much about it in High school or college. It also relates to Nazism in Austria during world war Mr. Menshiki’s name means avoiding color so it is a perculiar name for the subject matter of the story because art is supposed to be representative of bright colors of the whole spectrum instead of just black and white or lack of color.

The story refers to operas from Mozart, Shubert Brahms Shumann and Beethoven, like Don Giovani. It is a strange book so far because there is a lot of adult stuff going on in the story like the protagonist sleeping with several different women after he gets a divorce from his wife. He doesn’t seem to care about what he is doing, but later he reflects about the relationship that he had with his wife and having the closeness between them that will never be shared again. He goes into detail about that he loved his ex wife a lot. It weaves in dream like scenes that are actually occurrences. When I think about it, I wonder if Japanese were influenced by western art that much. “The concept of Japanese art was born as a way of asserting something that could be distinguished as standing in opposition to western art” (116) Haruki Murakami uses similes as in “When it came to those things my father’s mouth was clamped shit, like an oyster at the bottom of the sea.” (67) “Like a hermit crab chooses the prettiest and most sturdy shell to live in” (257) “like the pale moon at dawn.” (341) “She looked like a lone night heron motionless in the shore glaring at the water’s surface for hours I end.” (442)”Like an octopus trying to survive by devouring its own legs.” (462) He connects the Western Opera Don Giovani to a Japanese painting called Killing Commendatore. The protagonists reflects on his childhood with his sister and tells about his sister’s death and how the whole family had changed after that moment. It obviously does have dark sections in the narrative like the protagonist describes another instance in his childhood where he and his sister were exploring inside of a cave and his sister had gotten lost inside of it and had no light around her and was having a difficult time of trying to find her way out of the cave. Her brother, the protagonist thinks that going into the cave and getting lost in the darkness of the cave killed his sister because metaphorically her soul could have been taken away in the cave’s darkness. That was a difficult section to read in the plot so far. It is distressing. In the book, Shintoism is referred to, with statues guarding a character’s property.

I think it has some suspenseful parts that are supposed to be unsettling and to put the reader off guard and at the edge of his or her seat. From what I get out of the story so far is that it has a lot of layers to it, but it’s all one story. It doesn’t switched time periods, however it reflects into the past for some parts of it. The story stays in Japan too. It could be described as mystery and suspense book so far. The story teller painted scenes of a white subura and of a person named Mr. Menishiki. He is commissioned to paint a young girl from his art class that he teaches by Mr. Menshiki.

I have been reading the story fairly quickly so it is a story that has kept my attention to see how it progresses which is a good thing for a book

It relates eastern culture to western culture. Asuka period. The story refers to Vienna Austria. “The truth is a symbol and symbols are the truth” (324) It is interesting to ponder the idea if there is more lighter or darker subjects and ideas in this story.

“‘On March 12, 1938,the Wehrmacht smashed across the border with Austria, invaded the country and soon gained control of Vienna. They threatened President Miklas and made him designate Seyss-Inquart, head of the Austrian Nazi Party as Prime Minister.’” (332) In this section of the story, Murakami discusses Nazism and Kristel Nacht during World War 2. The Wehrmacht is the unified armed forces of the Nazis from 1935 until 1945. Austrians were put into concentration camps. War is a theme in the book.

The narrarator paints Mariye because Mr. Menshiki wants him too. He is commissioned to do so. I think painting someone keeps their image around forever and that’s why families want paintings done, to have keepsakes and heirlooms passed down. It could relate to when Nazis came and destroyed a lot of things, families didn’t have any paintings or artwork to remember their loved ones by. It’s a story with difficult subject matter. “Tomohiko Amanda returned to Japan from Vienna in early 1939. On paper he was deported but in fact he was rescued by the gestapo. Officials from the foreign ministries of Japan and nazi germany had met in secret and agreed that he be extradited but not charged with any crime. The failed addassination attempt had taken place in 1938 but was linked to two other important events of that year: the Anschluss- Hitler’s Annexation of Austria and Kristellnacht in November. Once they occurred the brutality of hitlers plan was obvious to everyone. Austria was firmly installed as a part of the Nazi war effort. An inextricable cog in the machine” (415) The plot talks about the fall of Nanjing as well. The battle of Nanking was a battle of the second sino Japanese war. It was fought early in December 1937 between the Chinese National Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Japanese army for control over Nanking, the capital of the republic of China. (Wikipedia) I cannot believe that the Japanese were so violent during the war. It sounds like they were ruthless. They sounded like savages on a mission.

He sets and leaves scenes well. For instance with this ending a chapter in the story “ A large flock of cowing crows was winging across the valley heading to their nests.” (434) When one thinks of crows, they bring up gothic and dark symbolisms. War is mentioned throughout Haruki Murakami’s books a lot. In the last book of his that I read called the Wind up Bird Chronicle, war was a major theme as well.

Romance is discusses in ways as in reminiscing because the main character is actually in the process of getting a divorce so in his head he is reminding himself of all of the good times he has shared with his wife Yuzu. It sounds like they had a good marriage until the end when they decided to seperate. .

I have learned new things from this story like the Asuka period in Art history, the war between China and Japan during 1937, new things about the nazi party during world war 2 that I did not know prior.

“Even Ideas can fathom the import of moral obligation” (572) Double metaphors are discussed later on in the story and I don’t know what it quite means yet. I like how this sentence is phrased: “With the flashlight my only ally, I stepped down into the inky blackness of the path of the metaphor.” (596) “Your thoughts become a tree of riddles whose branches trails off into the dark.” (599) He travels through the dark until he heads towards a lighter area. The light to him was “the clearing was the shape of a half-moon and perfectly level.” (614) He had to travel into a cave like his sister did before she died. In this cave he see someone from the Don Giovanni opera named Donna Anna. It seems like she is a spirit that came back from the after life. She says “‘No was ne can tell what is pris not the real thing….All that we see is a product of connectivity. Light here is a metaphor for shadow, shadow a metaphor for light.’” Maryie went missing and that is why the Narrator had to go on a journey or mission to try to find her. The ending of the story is odd leaves me unsettled as reader, even though he gets back in touch with his ex wife Yuzu and she says that they can build a new relationship when she is pregnant. In the last chapter of the book, it discusses about when a tsunami came and did a lot of damageto the area. The narratator kills Commendatore. I like that history is talked about openly in the book because if the current generation forgets history, then it will surely repeat itself. I would recommend the book to people who are interested in international affairs,)

. ,

Have you read a great story with a disappointing ending? How would you change it? For me, « Killing Commendatore » was really interesting and at the same time, 500 pages! But the ending wasn’t what I expected after reading all those pages! How about you? . . . . . #killingcommendatore #harukimurakami #darkacademia #darkacademiavibes #darkacademiaaesthetic #lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #warmtones #quietshadesofbrown #booknookstagram #bookishflatlay #thepursuitofcosiness #bookstagram #cornersofmyworld #cornersofmyhome #booktography https://www.instagram.com/sahar.reads/p/CY9NVP2LBXe/?utm_medium=tumblr

"私は思うのですが、大胆な転換が必要とされる時期が、おそらく誰の人生にもあります。

そういうポイントがやってきたら、素早くその尻尾を掴まなければなりません。

しっかりと堅く握って、二度と離してはならない。"

ー村上春樹、騎士団長殺し

My wife found an interesting phrase about “Art in Japan before Meiji” in Haruki Murakami’s book. His book is fiction so it may not be as accurate as the academic essay, but the world-famous novelist explaining the concept of Art similar to what I have been trying to communicate is pretty amazing. So here it is. What do you think? ☆ (It is from the audiobook transcripted, so it may be not exact… please tell me if you find an error. I humbly adjust it.) ☆ Cited from Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami (2018) ☆ Meiji Restoration: until then the term “art” did not exist… just like up until then the name of country Japan was hardly ever used. With the appearance of Western art from abroad the concept of art was born as a way of asserting something that could be distinguished as standing in opposition to Western art. What had existed until then in various forms and styles was for the sakes of simplicity lumped together under the new name of Japanese painting… what had been everyday designs, arts, and crafts designs such as paintings on folding screens… were now set in frames. To put it in other way, items done in a natural style as part of everyday life were now accommodated to the western system and elevated to the status of works of art. ☆ 村上春樹著の「騎士団長殺し」、読了された方はいらっしゃいますでしょうか？妻が英訳版を読んでいて、「淳の言うアートに関する描写が会ったけど？」っていう流れで、オーディオブックから書き取りで引用です。（なので間違ってたらごめんなさい）。もし読了された方がいて、「明治維新以前はアートという概念は存在しなかった」という一節があるのですが、もし発見された方がいたら教えて貰えると本当に助かります。日本で読みたいけど単行本は高いし遠い……。ちなみに、僕のブログを読んで貰えればわかるかもですが、それなりにハルキストです（でした）。 ☆ #Sashiko #SashikoArt #JapaneseArt #HarukiMurakami #KillingCommendatore #刺し子 #村上春樹 #騎士団長殺し #日本のアート https://www.instagram.com/p/BsmFW2JlFfk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qj30jo07tq82

Đọc lúc mới xuất bản giờ không nhớ gì cả. Ẩn dụ dịch chuyển là gì? . . . #harukimurakami #murakamivietnam #killingcommendatore #gietchihuydoikysi #đọcsách #docsachmoingay https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2J45QpWj3/?utm_medium=tumblr

The epic new novel by Haruki Murakami KILLING COMMENDATORE in English, will be released on October 9th! Now available for pre-order through our website or at your local store!!

If you pre-order in store, you will receive a free exclusive tote bag! *While supplies last

More details→https://goo.gl/su7iFx

✨Caption✨ Who is an author you are intimidated by? 🍃 Well, there are certainly a few that intimidate me, but I need to mention that Haruki Murakami tops that list. One of Japan's leading contemporary authors, Murakami has a very solid & dedicated fanbase who loves everything from his magical realism &his beautiful prose. 🍃 But then there are his niggles. I have seen some common theme amongst his niggles, pointing out Murakami's portrayal of women as misogynistic, those odd sexual scenes, and confusing style.Needless to say his work is quite polarising and controversial. 🍃 I have a copy of killing Commendatore on my shelf which I'm terrified yet excited to read soon, I adore his writing styles S I have read Murakami earlier as well. I hope I'll still be in love with his writing style. What are your thoughts on Murakami? Literally overrated or genius.? Ft#killingcommendatore By #harukimurakami (at India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSO93NwFHTt/?utm_medium=tumblr

Finally, Murakami's new series entered my library's collection😊😊😊 #harukimurakami #gramedia #penerbitkpg #killingcommendatore #mycollection #books https://www.instagram.com/p/CPP5kOkr0bL/?utm_medium=tumblr

Hello everyone, welcome to my birthday book haul part 3! A huge thank you to @keeperofpages @tarheelreader Mr B, @chrissireads and my lovely family of thoroughly spoiling me. I’ve already read Sharks In The Time Of Saviours but I’m eagerly anticipating all these reads. If only there were more hours in the day! 🤣 I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books or authors. Let’s have a chat in the comments! Have a great week everyone 🤗😘 #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookhaul #bookaddict #bookaholic #birthdaybookhaul #whataluckygirl #bookishgifts #themajesties #tiffanytsao #rainbowmilk #paulmendez #sharksinthetimeofsaviours #kawaistrongwashburn #killingcommendatore #harukimurakami #theswitch #betholeary #motherwell #deborahorr #booksonmyshelf https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_G-_LroEE/?igshid=zz01rp2u0kea

KILLING COMMENDATORE

Haruki Murakami

★★★★☆

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Soundtrack for reading the book:

Magnolia by J.J Cale

The firebird (version for piano) by Igor Stravinsky 

Astral travelling by Phararoah Sanders

All My shades of blue by Ruen brothers 

_______________________________________________________________________

My thoughts 

This is definitely one of my most favourite book of all time. I always say to anyone who have never read Murakami before that they should read ‘Killing Commendatore’ as their first book because it is the most ‘Murakami’ story ever -if that makes any sense. Killing Commendatore is the name of the painting that the protagonists discover in the mountain house he is renting from a famous painter called Tomohiko Amada. The unnamed protagonists move away from Tokyo after his wife Tuzu leaves him after 6 years of marriage. The protagonist is a professional painter who is known for his good portrait work. The painting ‘Killing commendatore’ initiates a series of strange and mysterious events. Like with the other work that I have reviewed ‘Norwegian wood’ Murakami is amazing at story telling. One of my most favourite aspects is how he is able to smoothly make the plot seem realistic but at the same time incorporate supernatural elements. One thing that stood out to be was the way he describes painting as the protagonists spends a lot of time painting portraits. I never thought the description and the process of painting would be interesting but in this case it is. However, there are a few aspects which I didn’t like as much. Firstly, the book is around 500 pages and tend to be a bit repetitive, which I personally didn’t mind but if you do read it you have been warned. Another element is the odd description of every female character’s breast. This is something I have noticed have happened in a lot of Murakami’s work. Seriously, almost every female character that is introduced in all of his works he always describes the way that their boobs look. Which I guess is fine, but in this book he describes the breasts of a young girl and there are number of scenes where the young girl talks to the protagonists about when her breasts will grow. I just found this so unnecessary as it doesn’t add anything to the plot and could be left out. However, other than that I really enjoyed the novel, like I said it is one of my personal faves but the novel do lose some points due to the repitition and the breast element.

Later!

"Look deep enough into any person and you will find something shining within." #harukimurakami #killingcommendatore #2020booklist https://www.instagram.com/p/CDqrqmug_ZpDLyUtfD7bIM-oe8TZym_N8aPixc0/?igshid=11ohkvpvr40az

#Murakami books cover in #Myanmar (#Burmese Translation) #harukimirakami #murakamian #kafkaontheshore #thewindupbirdchronicle #norweigianwood #dancedancedance #pinball1973 #murakamiradio #menwithoutwomen #awildsheepchase #killingcommendatore https://www.instagram.com/p/CDp6VOQAY8Q/?igshid=owlbnhz1ewf9

I have been so lucky this year, my birthday came and went and now my Haruki Murakami collection has grown by 5 and I am so excited to dive into his work! . Have you read any of Haruki Murakami's work? . Which do you think I should start with? . . . . #harukimurakami #thewindupbirdchronicle #dancedancedance #norwegianwood #menwithoutwomen #afterdark #iq84 #killingcommendatore #birthdayhaul #birthdaybookhaul #readbyamity #ausbookstagram #ausbookishfeatures (at Wollongong, New South Wales) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBPY41YgCuI/?igshid=175g19k81zqz9

#murakami #killingcommendatore #刺殺騎士團長 #村上春樹 #harukimurakami #red #seeingred #novel #contemporaryart #whiskey https://www.instagram.com/p/CBMvU6jnegZ/?igshid=15x68dndlf4go

Number 44 on the #PopsugarReadingChallenge 2020 #KillingCommendatore by #HarukiMurakami. I've been waiting for this one. Murakami is one of my favorite authors #NowReading #Books #Reading #BookStagram #UnitedBookStagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B8CmrVaDXIs/?igshid=1ja7s0o88ja1j