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Celebrating Tanizaki Junichiro: The 40th Zangetsu Festival

This year marks the 40th installment of the special Zangetsu Festival, dedicated to honoring the celebrated Japanese author Tanizaki Junichiro (1886-1965). On July 26th, 2026, attendees can look forward to an insightful lecture by the acclaimed writer and researcher Hiroshi Aramata, who will delve into the mystical world of Tanizaki's imagination and his reflections on the Meiji era.

A Journey into Tanizaki's World

Hiroshi Aramata, known for his ambitious explorations of fantasy literature, natural history, and yokai studies, will take participants on a captivating journey through Tanizaki’s formative years in Tokyo. Through the lens of his own experiences, Aramata seeks to illuminate the city’s past and how it shaped Tanizaki’s literary vision. The talk will provide a deeper understanding of the environments and influences that animated Tanizaki's works, particularly how they relate to his childhood memories and the bustling life of early 20th-century Tokyo.

Event Details

The lecture will be held at the prestigious Renaissance Classics Ashiya Luna Hall, located in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Here are the essential details of the event:

• - Date and Time: July 26, 2026, from 14:00 to 15:30 (Door opens at 13:00)
• - Venue: Renaissance Classics Ashiya Luna Hall (8-24 Gyohei-cho, Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture)
• - Capacity: 600 participants
• - Admission Fee: 2,000 yen (Advance ticket price: 1,800 yen)
• - Organized by: The Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum
• - Supported by: Ashiya City and the Ashiya City Board of Education

Ticket Information

Tickets can be purchased at three locations in Ashiya City, with sales ending on July 25, 2026:
1. Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum
Located a 15-minute walk southeast from Hanshin Ashiya Station, closed on Mondays, and from June 10-13.
2. Oniyasu Akibundo
A short walk south from Hankyu Ashiyakawa Station, closed Sundays.
3. Belle Pot Ashiya
On the 2nd floor of Ashiya City Hall, a 6-minute walk west from JR Ashiya Station, closed Tuesdays.

Alternatively, tickets can be requested through phone, fax, or email directly from the Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum. Attendees are required to provide the following information: 1. Postal address, 2. Name (with furigana), 3. Phone number (fax number if applicable), and 4. Number of participants. Payment instructions will be provided, and tickets will be sent upon payment confirmation.

About the Zangetsu Festival

The Zangetsu Festival is an annual event dedicated to celebrating Tanizaki's literature, held every July to coincide with his birth month. Initiated in 1986 by one of his descendants, Chiman Koizumi, it began with gatherings of passionate readers and researchers near his grave in Kyoto, specifically at Hohnen-in Temple. The name 'Zangetsu' originates from a traditional song that Tanizaki cherished. Since 2002, the Tanizaki Memorial Museum in Ashiya City has officially organized this cherished event.

Contact Information

For more details, reach out to:
Tanizaki Junichiro Memorial Museum
12-15 Ise-cho, Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture 659-0052
Phone: 0797-23-5852
Email: [email protected]

Join us at the Zangetsu Festival and step into the enchanting world of Tanizaki Junichiro, guided by Hiroshi Aramata’s expert insights. It promises to be a celebration of literary magic and cultural history that you won’t want to miss!