Yoshiyuki Morioka – proprietor of the recently opened Morioka Shoten (Morioka Bookstore) in Ginza, Tokyo – just made bookstore browsing a whole lot easier. In fact, by only carrying one book at any given time, his tiny boutique has eliminated the whole idea altogether.
Morioka's featured book changes weekly and is occasionally accompanied by art works, photographs or other related items; an exhibition of ceramic jewellery and objects by Mayumi Kogoma inspired by one of Kenji Miyazawa’s novels (1934's Porano no hiroba) is currently on show. Sometimes the shop appears more like a gallery than an actual bookstore – but it’s always the book that takes centre stage.
To call the space minimal would be an overstatement; the raw concrete walls and ceiling have been given a coat of white paint and the concrete floor left as is. The only furniture is a vintage chest of drawers that now doubles as a counter, Morioka’s personal work desk and a flimsy table displaying the single book.
Morioka came up with the idea for Morioka Shoten when he was running another, more conventional bookstore at a different location, where he organised regular readings and signings with authors and publishers. These were always well recieved – why not, he thought, launch a dedicated shop where the focus was always on just one special book?
The boutique is on the ground floor of the Suzuki Building, bult in 1929 and one of Tokyo’s few listed structures. From the early 1930s to the end of the Second World War, it was home to Japan’s propaganda publisher Nippon Kobo, who produced the Nippon periodical. Coincidentally, Morioka used to have a rather large collection of Japanese wartime propaganda (he likes the quirky, strong graphics) that he sold in order to finance the opening of the store.
It might not be a place to lose a couple of hours browsing for that perfect read or birthday present – but, then, perhaps it's actually rather nice to have someone choose for you sometimes. If you read Japanese, that is.
Yoshiyuki Morioka came up with the idea for Morioka Shoten when he was running another, more conventional bookstore at a different location, where he organised regular readings and signings with authors and publishers.
ADDRESS
Morioka Shoten
Susuzki Building 1F
1-28-15 Ginza,
Chuo-ku
Tokyo
-
The most whimsical hotel Christmas trees around the worldWe round up the best hotel Christmas tree collaborations of the year, from an abstract take in Madrid to a heritage-rooted installation in Amsterdam
-
Stone dials are making a comeback: here are the watches doing it bestWatches with hard stone dials are enjoying a surge in popularity
-
These illuminating fashion interviews tell the story of style in 2024Selected by fashion features editor Jack Moss from the pages of Wallpaper*, these interviews tell the stories behind the designers who have shaped 2024 – from Kim Jones to Tory Burch, Willy Chavarria to Martine Rose
-
'Moroseta Kitchen' is a new recipe book offering a glimpse into the Puglian countryside'Moroseta Kitchen - A Window Into The Puglian Countryside' by Giorgia Eugenia Goggi is based on the essence of eating in Italy, rooted in farm to table seasonal recipes
-
‘Bethlehem’ is a new recipe book celebrating Palestinian food‘Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food’ is a recipe book by Fadi Kattan that celebrates culinary tradition and explores untold stories
-
René Redzepi, Mette Søberg and Junichi Takahashi on Noma’s new cookbookLifting the lid on Noma’s secrets, a new cookbook celebrates the pioneering restaurant’s season menus, and offers a deep dive behind the scenes
-
60-Second Cocktails book shakes up summer happy hour at homeThis 60-Second Cocktails book brings summer happy hour into your home with easy but sophisticated cocktail recipes and tips to guide even novice shakers
-
New cookbook transforms horror movies into terrifying food artHorror Caviar, the first cookbook from A24, features recipes inspired by horror movies, from creatives including Laila Gohar and Chloe Wise, alongside essays by Carmen Maria Machado, Stephanie LaCava, and more
-
Edible flowers: the how, the what and the whyA new book from Monacelli, Edible Flowers: How, Why, and When We Eat Flowers, uncovers a fascinating history
-
Aman Tokyo’s new patisserie is a culinary destinationThe legendary hotel's first standalone patisserie is a culinary theatre where customers can watch the highly skilled chefs at work
-
Match point: learn how to properly pair food and wineLearn a thing or two about fine cooking and wine selection with this new book from the London Club
