Saul Bellow in Roppongi

During my first stay in Japan, in 1972 I had the opportunity of hearing a public lecture by the future Nobel-winning novelist Saul Bellow. Since I was just beginning to read his works, I was at a bit of a loss when he referred to Martin Heidegger and other philosophers and devoted most of the lecture to Gustave Flaubert’s “Madame Bovary.” Nonetheless, I was impressed with just how deep a writer could be.

I embarked on a serious effort to read all of Bellow’s works. The first was “Dangling Man,” a short novel that I related to as a potential draftee in the military for service in Viet Nam. Of the longer novels, I was most deeply moved by “Herzog,” a work which one can read and reread and still feel there is more to gain.

Several days after the lecture which I attended in Nagoya, I visited a friend who was spending several nights at the International House of Japan, in Roppongi. In addition to enjoying our conversation there, I was impressed by the ambience of “I-House,” as it is called.

Recently, I had the opportunity to stay at the I-House myself, thanks to an organization where I gave a presentation, and I was re-impressed by the lobby, the library, the restaurant, and the whole feel of the place. And there was something extra.

After visiting my friend, I was walking back to Roppongi subway station, when—coming down the sidewalk toward me—I saw Saul Bellow! Not wishing to intrude, as we passed, I simply said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Bellow.” But he stopped, turned around, shook my hand, and we exchanged a few words, before parting.

So, Saul Bellow is permanently connected in my mind with Roppongi, and with the International House of Japan. In 2024, that memory still remains.

(302 words)

The book shown below is over 700 pages and goes into fine detail about Bellow’s last 40 years.