Killing Commendatore: Welcome to Haruki Murakami’s Enchanting Labyrinth Where Reality and Fantasy Intertwine
Have you ever been intrigued by the mysteries hidden in everyday life, the emotions slumbering deep within your heart, and the enigmatic power of art? If so, Haruki Murakami’s novel “Killing Commendatore” will be the door that invites you on a captivating journey.
The story begins with “me,” a portrait painter, moving to an atelier in the mountains of Odawara after separating from my wife. It’s the place where Tomohiko Amada, a renowned Japanese painter, once lived. The tranquil space surrounded by nature rekindles the artistic fire within me.
However, the peaceful days don’t last long. A mysterious man named Menshiki, living in a white mansion across the valley, requests me to paint his portrait. I discover a peculiar Japanese painting titled “Killing Commendatore” in the attic of the atelier, and a mysterious bell rings in the middle of the night… Like tangled threads, inexplicable events begin to occur around me one after another.
The Mystery Hidden in the Painting “Killing Commendatore”
“Killing Commendatore” seems deeply connected to a historical event that Amada supposedly experienced during his studies in Vienna. However, the details remain shrouded in mystery, and Amada himself has remained silent. As if he sealed those memories away, the painting was hidden in the attic of the atelier.
The painting depicts a scene where a knight commander, dressed in Asuka-era attire, is stabbed to death by a young man. Mysterious figures like the beautiful daughter of the knight commander, a servant-like man, and a strange-faced man called “Long Face” are present at the scene, each with different expressions.
What does this painting signify? Why did Amada hide this masterpiece from the public without revealing it?
The Boundary Between Reality and Fantasy
As I try to unravel the mystery hidden in the painting, I am drawn into a strange experience where the boundary between reality and fantasy becomes blurred. “Idea,” who appears as the knight commander as if stepping out of the painting, and a man called “Long Face” who introduces himself as “Metaphor”… They leave me with cryptic words and invite me to another world.
That other world is an underground space called the “Metaphorical Passage,” where the laws of time and space are distorted, and events beyond common sense occur one after another. I grope my way through the maze-like passage. What awaits me at the end…?
Emotions Slumbering Deep Within the Heart
“Killing Commendatore” is not just a mystery novel. The emotions hidden deep within the characters’ hearts, their sense of loss, loneliness, and longing for love, are intricately intertwined and depicted.
Through my separation from my wife, I confront my inner self and delve into past memories and emotions. Menshiki harbors a past with a certain woman and develops feelings for a girl who might be her daughter. Amada struggles to express himself through his art while confronting past trauma.
They each face the darkness within their hearts in different ways, searching for their own meaning. Their struggles resonate deeply with us readers and evoke empathy.
The Power of Art
“Killing Commendatore” also questions the mysterious power of art. Paintings, music, literature… they have the power to move our hearts and show us new worlds.
Through painting and encountering people, I realize that I am changing. Menshiki finds himself in the portrait I painted, sensing new possibilities. Amada tries to confront past trauma and find peace of mind through his work.
They confront themselves through art and try to find new paths. Their actions teach us the power of art and the depth of life.
“Killing Commendatore” is a profound and captivating work, depicted with Haruki Murakami’s unique worldview and delicate touch. The mysterious world where reality and fantasy intertwine, the emotions slumbering deep within the heart, and the power of art… Please witness this magnificent story woven from these elements with your own eyes.