A SINGLE BOOK

A Single Room A Single Book

Slow down, read a book.

Recently I came across a short article about an interesting concept. A Japanese book shop, Morioka Shoten, concentrates on one author at a time and the bookshop stocks only the one title of an author for a period of six days… book of the week. Copies of that one title are available to the public.

With thousands of authors publishing and marketing books every day this concept could become overwhelming when deciding to choose which author is worthy of dedication. On display besides the book are artwork and photographs relating to the book, the subject matter and the author. Book readings are organized. Intimacy with the writer is created as the author is present to answer questions from readers and would be readers.

Owner Yoshiyuki Morioka says: “This is an attempt to make the two-dimensional book into three-dimensional ambiance and experience. I believe that the customers, or readers, should feel as though they are entering ‘inside a book. The concept of this bookstore seems to have gained the sympathy of a lot of people, and I receive a number of guests from all over the globe.”

Tokyo Morioka Shoten

Photo: Nacasa & Partners, Miyuki Kaneko

Morioka Shoten has sold over 2,100 books from May 2015 to September 2015.

Morioka Shoten Ginza is located at 1-28-15 Ginza, Suzuki Building, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

Suzuki Building in Ginza, Tokyo. Built in 1929.