Originally written by:Arunima Mazumdar
Link to the article:https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/satoshi-yagisawa-my-books-are-more-popular-in-india-than-in-japan-101769795357195.html
Japanese author Satoshi Yagisawa, best known internationally for Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, has made an observation that surprises many readers: his books have found a larger and more passionate audience in India than in Japan. What began as a quiet, reflective novel rooted in Tokyo’s bookish streets has unexpectedly crossed borders, languages, and cultures striking a deep emotional chord with Indian readers.
A Quiet Story That Traveled Far
Yagisawa’s writing is gentle, introspective, and unhurried. His stories focus on loneliness, healing, second chances, and the quiet comfort of books themes that don’t rely on spectacle, but on feeling. While such subtle storytelling sometimes competes with faster-paced, trend-driven literature in Japan’s crowded market, it has been warmly embraced by Indian readers who value emotional depth and reflective narratives.
In India, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop gained traction through word of mouth, book clubs, and social media communities that celebrate slow reads and literary fiction. Readers connected strongly with its portrayal of finding purpose during moments of personal loss an experience that transcends geography.
Why India Connected So Strongly
Several factors help explain Yagisawa’s unexpected popularity in India:
● A Growing Reading Culture: India’s young, urban readers are increasingly exploring translated fiction, especially Japanese literature known for its calm, minimalist storytelling.
● Emotional Relatability: Themes of family bonds, self-discovery, and starting over resonate deeply within Indian cultural contexts.
● Bookstore Aesthetics & “Healing Fiction”: The rise of “comfort reads” and cozy literature in India has aligned perfectly with Yagisawa’s narrative style.
Indian readers often describe his work as soothing, intimate, and life-affirming books that feel like quiet conversations rather than dramatic performances.
A Global Author Beyond Borders
Yagisawa’s experience highlights a broader shift in global literature: a book doesn’t need to be loud to be heard worldwide. Sometimes, stories travel farther when they speak softly. His success in India underscores how cultural boundaries are becoming increasingly porous, allowing emotionally honest storytelling to find its audience wherever readers are open to it.
As Japanese literature continues to gain momentum in India, Yagisawa’s journey stands as a reminder that authors don’t always find their biggest fans at home and that’s perfectly okay. After all, stories belong to the readers who see themselves in them, no matter where they are in the world.
