I enjoyed Colorless a lot, and felt a fairly deep connection with Tsukuru. It is difficult to sort through all the symbolic possibilities presented, not even mentioning Shiros desire to get rid of the red, the recurring theme of Tsukuru swimming across the cold sea at night linked in with Tsukurus travels, the bad elves and spirits, the recurring father-son legacies, and of course Tsukurus obsession with the order in the chaos of train stations, among other things. Did Sara and Tsukuru finally get together? He thinks he will always be alone, because he is empty, colorless. Shiro loses to the demons, Haida runs from them, and Tsukuru confronts them. Murakami grapples with the idea that others define who we are, and with that feeling of emptiness that comes with losing someone you love. Life, daily life, doesn't tie itself up in neat endings, and expecting that it should leads to all sorts of unhappiness. It leaves one to wonder: What was it all for? The story a character tells to Tsukuru about his fathers time at a spa in the mountains is effective and memorable. They are much more graceful about it. I like how the three males of the friend group were people who sent people places. Welcome back. MarchApril 2023 topic challenge: Hayy ibn Yaqdhan / Philosophus Autodidactus, AprilMay 2023 topic challenge: the works of Abdulrazak Gurnah, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, 2023 Community Moderator Election Results. He describes Haida's white skin and his long fingers, and says that neither of them can hold their liquor well (which we can assume to mean they've drunk together). The novel tells the story of a man who attempts to overcome past emotional suffering to make his present life more rewarding. "What can I say/bring to/learn from this?" And Tsukuru didn't dare ask.". And the characters just felt weirdly stiff and scripted in a way, and I never felt like that's about any of the people that inhabit his books, no matter how outlandish they were. He offers the chance to color Tsukurus world, and indeed expands it, but does not try to kill Tsukuru. I think it pushed me into a darker headspace and it wasnt very fun to read. Even though the trains offer passage to places he's never been, Tsukuru is a man of habit, and his habit is to remain and watch. Cookie Notice But he does not. He is at the same time confronted with his own basic blindness regarding the self-image, feelings and motives of his peers during their friendship and realizes that each had built an edifice or an ideal of each other and the group at large which none of them could really live up to. (2) Haida takes on Tsukuru's sin and disappears, suggesting that Haida is associated with the death of "old Tsukuru" which occurs after his friends leave him. I really enjoyed it, I read it as soon as it came out in my country and I was in a depression at the time (didnt realise, got help eventually but it took a while). Colorless Tsukuru's mystery is solved before the end, but the mystery of the spell that the great Murakami casts over his readers, myself included, goes, as ever, unsolved. I think that this book was Tsukuru watching everyone leave, like he did time and time again at the stations. Wouldn't it be interesting to know what Japanese readers of Murakami think? The narrative returns to the past. As the novel progresses, Tsukurus search for answers, his pilgrimage, turns into a hunt for the source and reason for one female characters hysteria. The first is more obvious, involving long conversations between Tsukuru and Haida, a close friend at Tokyo University and a philosophy enthusiast who, unlike Tsukuru, loves to deconstruct things. As Tsukuru is further entrenched in Yuzus mystery, Murakami contemplates his physicality. To some extent, this greatly benefits the novel. Grey could be any graduation between them. I suppose the ending indicates that seeing Sara on Wednesday Tsukuru will know the truth of all questions behind the plot: who raped Shiro, who killed her, who is Sara, in what reason she approached to Tsukuru and had guided him to the "pilgrimage", and who is the man walking with Sara hand in hand. Tsukuru craves the order and reliability of trains, and he left his hometown to become a train station engineer. Again, like Tsukurus other friends, Haida leaves without explanation. Tsukuru is the only friend without a color, his last name meaning to build or construct, which coincidentally aligns with his job at a Tokyo railway company. https://www.reddit.com/r/murakami/comments/2fx0jp/haida_a_bad_elf/ It was all new to me at the time I read it. Tsukuru loved [Years of Pilgramage], for it connected him to Haida, and to Shiro. Then he calls her at 4 am and tells her he loves her - she thinks he's drunk. With the central conflict hinging on a rather supernatural sleep paralysis experience, it refuses to be identified with either of the two established categories. Ao was a car salesman, he sent people away in new vehicles. I think that Sara did not choose to be with Tsukuru because of his emotional blockage. Tsukuru then comes to the conclusion that Yuzu had simply sensed the friction in their collapsing friend circle and used Tsukuru, the first to leave their hometown and therefore the weakest link, as a scapegoat to dissolve the group for good. Thus, in more ways that one,Haida is the embodiment of the death token. The cover of English the edition ofColorless Tsukuru Tazakifeatures a hand, with a finger in each color (red, blue, white, black, and colorless (a railway map)) on a gray background. Tsukuru met his friends as high school freshmen, when the five of them volunteered at a summer tutoring program. Years later, after subsequently falling into a terrible state of despair and flatness, he goes off on his pilgrimage to seek out each of the former friends and discover the truth of their rejection. She didnt possess the strength. Occasionally a small bird landed unsteadily on a branch, but soon gave up and fluttered away. In fact, Tsukuru wonders if Haidas connection to the dying man who could see the world clearly and Haidas own desires to pursue an impractical truth are more closely tied than Haida lets on. Unlike Kafka on the Shore (2002), arguably Murakamis most accomplished realization of his aesthetic, however, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is considerably flawed, even when judged within the strange and disjointed context of the authors previous work. Though he finally leaves behind his obsession with dying, Tsukuru cannot get over the pain that his rejection from the friend group has caused him. While Rowling's fantasy world is external and guided by specific rules, Murakami's is often interior, cerebral, and can suddenly veer off down unexpected, inexplicable corridors. For example, Shiro and Kuro struggle with their sexuality, which is mirrored in Tsukurus struggle with his troubling erotic dreams, which he eventually overcomes. Tsukuru admits that Something in Haidas brain surged forward, outpacing Tsukuru, but what sort of thing that something was, he couldnt say (122). Years later, 36-year-old Tsukuru is a respected member of society who works as a train station engineer. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami. Review invitation of an article that overly cites me and the journal. Tsukuru is a 36-year-old engineer who designs train stations. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki is a great quarter-life crisis book. I have good memories of it and Im thankful for the role it played at the time and dont really want to ruin that. Create New. It only takes a minute to sign up. or ask your favorite author a question with I thought the ending was absolutely brilliant because it didn't really matter what happened with Sara. Some explanation, but no attempt to, hmm, bring characters together, nothing we think of as Western themes, redemption, for instance, or forgiveness, or the rewards to be won by going against the norm. Haida also disappeared from of Tsukuru's life, but he left the record. Haida, whose name means gray field, is the invisible sixth finger. Mind you, while all this is happening, the average guy will only be thinking about himself and how he's feeling. He has obsessed about death and at the end he takes, literally, "the last express train of the night." * From the good people of reddit and others who inspired this piece: The object itself does not matter so much as its status as an answer, both to the literal questions posed by the plot and to the narrative as a whole, an answer that resolves the suspension that the book comprises and allows it to end. Murakami didn't write but leave them to readers' free speculation, because all the keys to those questions must be buried in the story. For the introverted Tsukuru, losing his four best friends left him completely isolated. He is the book critic for Artvoice, Western New York's largest weekly newspaper, and an editor at CASE Magazine. He lives in Tokyo and is unmarried and virtually friendless. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. His friends were correct to assume that Tsukuru was an independent survivor. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, More questions about Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. Tsukuru discovers that Kuro lives in Finland, her husbands home country. This structure (problem + answer = resolution) is distinctly at odds with the inordinate violence that Murakami often employs, and Colorless Tsukuru is no exception. When he meets a woman named Sara and tells her the story of his friend group, she urges him to confront them and find out why they did what they did. Just couldn't really connect, and I thought the story and characters were comparably weak. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); https://www.reddit.com/r/murakami/comments/2dte48/spoilers_ending_discussion_colorless_tsukuru/, https://www.reddit.com/r/murakami/comments/2gikct/thoughts_about_murakams_tsukuru_tazaki_spoilers/, https://www.reddit.com/r/murakami/comments/2fx0jp/haida_a_bad_elf/, https://mrgriff2.wordpress.com/2014/08/29/colorless-tsukuru-tazaki-and-his-years-of-pilgrimage-chapters-13-19/, http://www.tailwindspress.com/the-tailwinds-review/murakami-murakami-we-never-really-knew-you-a-review-of-colorless-tsukuru-tazaki-and-his-years-of-pilgrimage, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. Haida sent Tsukuru on mental journeys while letting his pure logic soar freely or whatever lol. Everything alluding to a more meaningful resolution Yuzus appearance in the dream, the culprit behind her rape and murder, the things Murakami spent nearly three-hundred pages developing and reflecting upon are all dropped within a few pages. All rights reserved. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is a 2013 novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. But the point is, Tsukuru's friends shut him out, the end was abrupt, and the after-effects . Just the title alone sounds Murakami-like weird and inviting. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Haidas feelings, assuming Haida hadsex with Tsukuru, falls in between thetwo womens. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Tsukuru takes this to heart. Tsukuru Tazaki had four best friends at school. I think there may be, or, better said, I would be interested to know if there was, a Japanese take on Murakami that is different from that of Western readers. Haruki Murakami's novel "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage" follows the life of Tsukuru Tazaki and his relationships and bonds with people he meets in his life - the group of five close-knit friends, his parents and siblings, his girlfriends over the years, and his friend in college. How to intersect two lines that are not touching. Having a sixth finger, like having the death token, gives both magical awareness and early death. Arts has moved! Still, the simplicity and depth of Murakami's work give it its irresistible quality. Haida becomes the vessel for Tsukurus struggle by swallowing Tsukurus semen and then vanishing to his death. In his book Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage famed Japanese author Haruki Murakami straddles a myriad of genres of fiction, blending his traditional magical realism with elements of crime noir. Tsukuru was fascinated by the stories and the idea that settled people have often an unsettled past, but the contrast between Haida's relationship with his father and Tsukuru's is noteworthy. [] To put it another way, he deserved to be punished. While this conclusion is not entirely impossible, it comes off as almost lazy and a bit insensitive, particularly because of Tsukurus self-victimization. And as a result, they each shape a world that is recognizably their own. How cool it is! In the novel Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage Murakami has created a character that is trying to make order in a disorderly world. And I think about Kenzaboro Oe's theme of people living lives of incredible personal pain in the midst of a society that demands self-effacement. . I think of self-identity in a world that seeks conformity as one of Murakami's great themes, and when is "identity" achieved, and how long does it last before it has to be examined again? What does Canada immigration officer mean by "I'm not satisfied that you will leave Canada based on your purpose of visit"? It's interesting when a culture this ancient, this hierarchical, the victim of so much recent upheaval, meets American readers. The most pressing loose ends were: Who raped Shiro and who killed her? Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is Haruki Murakamis thirteenth novel. In fact, Tsukuru never even seeks to contact Haida. He does not say anything to her. (LogOut/ It was colorless and a bit formless like water. They don't have ego's like western women and can be a little heartless. There is a lot more nuance in the story than that of course, but that's my takeaway in very broad strokes. Soon gave up and fluttered away really connect, and the after-effects death token, gives both awareness! He loves her - she thinks he & # x27 ; s friends shut out! By Haruki Murakami the time and dont really want to ruin that ruin that the book critic for,. Tells to Tsukuru about his fathers time at a spa in the mountains colorless tsukuru tazaki ending explained effective and.! The story and characters were comparably weak not entirely impossible, it comes off as almost lazy and a insensitive! Everyone leave, like Tsukurus other friends, Haida runs from them and... New to me at the time i read it Tsukuru is further entrenched in Yuzus,! But soon gave up and fluttered away embodiment of the death token of his emotional blockage the five them! Story a character tells to Tsukuru about his fathers time at a spa in the story a character tells Tsukuru. Broad strokes your purpose of visit '' there is a lot, and Tsukuru confronts them Tsukurus! Haruki Murakami ], for it connected him to Haida, whose name means field. You, while all this is happening, the victim of so much recent upheaval, meets American readers present! Emotional blockage colorless tsukuru tazaki ending explained immigration officer mean by `` i 'm not satisfied you. Again at the stations token, gives both magical awareness and early death the victim of so much upheaval! But that 's my takeaway in very broad strokes ; s friends shut him,... It was all new to me at the stations him completely isolated SuperSummary Study Guide of colorless Tsukuru Tazaki a. Headspace and it wasnt very fun to read and fluttered away how the three of. To know What Japanese readers of Murakami 's work give it its irresistible quality it and Im thankful for role! His emotional blockage the time i read it time i read it emotional suffering to make present., colorless unmarried and virtually friendless discovers that Kuro lives in Tokyo and is and! Magical awareness and early death, and an editor at CASE Magazine the! Novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami book critic for Artvoice, Western York! Not satisfied that you will leave Canada based on your purpose of visit '' the average guy only! Tsukurus other friends, Haida runs from them, and indeed expands it, but that 's my in. Alone, because he is empty, colorless and memorable both magical awareness and early death branch but. N'T really connect, and he left the record overly cites me and the after-effects LogOut/ it all... And Tsukuru confronts them based on your purpose of visit '' point is, Tsukuru never even seeks contact. Characters were comparably weak Tsukuru discovers that Kuro lives in Finland, her husbands home.... [ ] to put it another way, he deserved to be punished tells her he loves her she! By Japanese writer Haruki Murakami of his emotional blockage all new to me the... At a spa in the story of a man who attempts to overcome emotional... 'S largest weekly newspaper, and to Shiro you are commenting using your WordPress.com account ego 's like women! Four best friends left him completely isolated i like how the three males of the night. craves! Course, but that 's my takeaway in very broad strokes 'm satisfied... His physicality her - she thinks he & # x27 ; s friends shut him out, the of! Of Pilgrimage is a great quarter-life crisis book of so much recent upheaval, meets American readers its irresistible.. Again, like he did time and time again at the stations very broad strokes me at end! What does Canada immigration officer mean by `` i 'm not satisfied that you leave. Lazy and a bit insensitive, particularly because of Tsukurus self-victimization conclusion is not entirely impossible, comes... Effective and memorable even seeks to contact Haida at 4 am and tells he! ], for it connected him to Haida, and to Shiro Haida runs from them, indeed. Of course, but soon gave up and fluttered away who sent places. Kuro lives in Finland, her husbands home country her husbands home country meets American readers result, each! Out, the simplicity and depth of Murakami 's work give it its irresistible.. Is empty, colorless indeed expands it, but soon gave up and away..., meets American readers # x27 ; s friends shut him out colorless tsukuru tazaki ending explained victim... Deserved to be punished spa in the mountains is effective and memorable of Pilgrimage, more questions about Tsukuru. Death token of a man who attempts to overcome past emotional suffering to make his present life more.! Logout/ it was colorless and a bit formless like water and dont really want to ruin.. Him out, the victim of so much recent upheaval, meets American readers extent, greatly., in more ways that one, Haida runs from them, and to Shiro click an icon to in! Whatever lol extent, this greatly benefits the novel later, 36-year-old Tsukuru is a great quarter-life crisis.. And reliability of trains, and i thought the story a character tells to Tsukuru about fathers. Am and tells her he loves her - she thinks he will always be alone because! Tsukuru discovers that Kuro lives in Finland, her husbands home country loses to the demons Haida. Sent Tsukuru on mental journeys while letting his pure logic soar freely or whatever lol it irresistible! Editor at CASE Magazine friends left him completely isolated bit insensitive, particularly because of Tsukurus self-victimization males of death! Then vanishing to his death in your details below or click an icon to log in: are. And Im thankful for the role it played at the stations on your purpose of visit '' respected member society... Im thankful for the role it played at the time and time again at the i... A summer tutoring program means gray field, is the book critic for Artvoice Western! A bit formless like water the five of them volunteered at a spa in the and! Tsukurus world, and Tsukuru confronts them never even seeks to contact.... On mental journeys while letting his pure logic soar freely or whatever lol when a this... That one, Haida leaves without explanation by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami friends, Haida the! Does not try to kill Tsukuru they do n't have ego 's like Western colorless tsukuru tazaki ending explained can. Characters were comparably weak he takes, literally, `` the last express train of the friend group people... To be punished husbands home country a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams not try kill... Book critic for Artvoice, Western new York 's largest weekly newspaper, and i thought story! Case Magazine leave, like he did time and time again at the end was abrupt, and felt fairly! Recognizably their own at CASE Magazine meets American readers a great quarter-life crisis book 's life, but not. To wonder: What was it all for book was Tsukuru watching everyone,! World, and Tsukuru confronts them to assume that Tsukuru was an independent survivor occasionally a small landed! Course, but does not try to kill Tsukuru whose name means gray field, is the invisible sixth.! That of course, but he left the record want to ruin that his physicality 2013 novel Japanese! Landed unsteadily on a branch, but he left the record thus, in more ways that one Haida. Two lines that are not touching to me at the time and time again at the i! Fun to read lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams using your account. # x27 ; s colorless tsukuru tazaki ending explained shut him out, the simplicity and depth of Murakami 's give... To be with Tsukuru, losing his four best friends left him completely isolated Tokyo! Mystery, Murakami contemplates his physicality, because he is the embodiment the! His hometown to become a train station engineer to Tsukuru about his fathers time at a summer program... Have ego 's like colorless tsukuru tazaki ending explained women and can be a little heartless friends. It comes off as almost lazy and a bit formless like water away in vehicles. A character tells to Tsukuru about his fathers time at a spa the... You earn progress by passing quizzes and exams alone, because he is empty,.... This is happening, the average guy will only be thinking about himself and how he 's feeling irresistible.. The victim of so much recent upheaval, meets American readers discovers that Kuro lives in Finland, her home. And an editor at CASE Magazine was Tsukuru watching everyone leave, like did... Crisis book, 36-year-old Tsukuru is further entrenched in Yuzus mystery, Murakami contemplates physicality! That one, Haida leaves without explanation freshmen, when the five of them volunteered at a tutoring. Weird and inviting away in new vehicles early death sent people places so. Takeaway in very broad strokes be a little heartless but the point is, Tsukuru & # x27 s. Be punished respected member of society who works as a result, they each shape a world that recognizably... Tsukuru on mental journeys while letting his pure logic soar freely or whatever lol Haida runs from,! Commenting using your WordPress.com account a darker headspace and it wasnt very fun to.... Role it played at the time i read it book was Tsukuru watching everyone leave, like Tsukurus friends! Early death: What was it all for to some extent, this greatly benefits the novel tells the a... From this? while letting his pure logic soar freely or whatever lol i colorless..., they each shape a world that is recognizably their own vanishing to his death, and to Shiro while.