“Anatanisama”, a book fairy, is said to show up on the street in Otaru at night in the middle of winter. First wittnessed about 100 years ago, it would offer you a book and say, “To you (Anata Ni).” If you receive the book and start reading, you cannot stop because the book is so fascinating, and will freeze to death. The only way to survive is to say, “I’ve already read it.” Then, Anatanisama will disappear right away. However, it is also said that those who survived would regret telling a lie for the rest of their lives, craving to know what the book was about, and thus, captivated by the magic of literature.
February 2nd is “Anatanisama Day”. Give your favorite book to your loved one.
According to an old story, a woman barely escaped death when she was offered a book by Anatanisama, by instinctively saying “I’ve alrady read it” . That happened on February 2nd in 1919, and since then, people in Otaru is said to have started giving, on that particular day, their loved one their favorite book so that they could say, “I’ve already read it.” Let’s give a book on February 2nd and tell your loved one the spell; “I’ve already read it!”
This is how you play Anatanisama gokko; 1) download your favorite Anatanisama stamp below (download possible until February 18th) 2) edit with it a photo of you handing out a book you are going to give on Anatanisama Day, pretending that you have become Anatanisama 3) post the edited photo and your comment about the book on your X with #anatanisama, and share it with the world!
I will give "The Neverending Story" by Michael Ende. I especially like the latter half of the book, which reveals what the story is all about. I bought it 38 years ago and have loved reading it ever since.
日時:2024年2月2日(金) 16:00~20:00 会場:小樽運河プラザ 中庭(小樽市色内2-1-20) 入場無料 special thanks:ReguRegu
Celebrating "Anatanisama Day" on February 2nd One Day Only Special Outdoor Exhibition "Anatanisama, The 13 Book Fairies"
13 Anatanisama dolls, created by ReguRegu based on the eyewitness accounts, will be exhibited outdoors for the first time. Meet them out in the snow and experience the magic of literature!
2024.2.2 Friday 4PM - 8PM at Canal Plaza Patio Free Entry