T-ideas: Ten insights inspired by Murakami T
Ten "T-ideas" inspired by Haruki Murakami's book Murakami T: The T-Shirts I Love. Translated from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel, Penguin Random House 2021. From the back cover: "The international literary icon opens his eclectic closet... Here are photographs of Murakami's extensive personal T-shirt collection, accompanied by essays that reveal a side of the writer rarely seen by the public."

Preview
1. Let Your Imagination Take Over
Murakami had no idea who Tony Takitani was and wondered what the word "House" and the letter "D" on the shirt meant, but eventually he learned that Tony Takitani was a candidate running for the Hawaii House of Representatives as a Democrat. Afterwards all this Murakami actually received a letter from the real Tony Takitani, who explained he had lost the election, but is now a successful lawyer.
2. Go Surfing And Have Fun - But Also Work Hard
Later Murakami was looking for a house in Kauai. The well-built older man selling real estate there turned out to be the famous surfboard shaper Dick Brewer. He told Murakami, "I don't want to do this kind of work, but my wife told me I'll never get ahead if all I do is keep on surfing the rest of my life. She told me to work hard from now on selling real estate, so here I am."
3. Put Cheerful Ketchup On Your Optimistic Ketchup
Murakami writes, "You can't help feeling the American spirit in the message, the sort of optimistic, cheerful lack of introspection that says, "Who cares about being sophisticated! I'm gonna do what I want!""
4. Keep Calm And Read Books
Interestingly, in 2008 some investment companies ordered huge amounts of these posters. It didn't work, though.
The point is, when the world's topsy-turvy and unsettled, getting comfortable with a good book is pretty nice way to go. Read books no matter what - even if the police commands "Don't read!" - like in the classic scifi novel Fahrenheit 451.
5. Springsteen & Brian - Energy & Charisma
Murakami once attended a "Smile Tour with Brian Wilson" live concert - the Beach Boys man himself. "The audience was really fired up", Murakami remembers, "Made me realize how big a role charisma plays in music."
6. Keep On Running
In the nearly forty years since, Murakami has run at least one full marathon every year. And not just marathons, but half marathons and 10K runs, too. Even a 100 km ultramarathon. And the occasional triathlon of course.
7. Sandwich Man Marketing
Today the spirit of the Sandwich Man lives on in promotional T-shirts and other garments. Companies distribute them and people voluntarily walk around wearing them. Volunteer Sandwich Men or social media influencers are an easy way for the businesses to have their advertising expenses pay off.
8. Adapt Like an Iguana
9. Soar Through The Air (Or Go Swimming)
He adds, "The birds might laugh at me."
10. Wear Plain for Great Photos
Murakami is a fan of plain T-shirts or shirts without any images specific written message. The ones with a kind of random writing that make you shake your head, wondering what the heck it means work best. Unlike shirts with pictures on them, you don't get tired at looking at them. They also go with lots of other clothes.
So wear plain clothes for great selfies and portraits.
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