Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

Satoru is the uncle and guide of Takako, as well as the owner of the Morisaki Bookshop. Satoru is a big influence in Takako’s life, as his invitation to her to live at the Morisaki Bookshop and his constant guidance on how to confidently approach life help Takako heal and grow from heartbreak. 

Initially, Takako’s view of Satoru is skewed, and her reluctance to accept his help prevents her from truly seeing him. She views him as she did when she was younger, when she could not make sense of his seemingly carefree personality: “He might be over forty now, but he still had that same breezy way about him. He was the exact opposite of anyone’s idea of a dignified man. Which was something I absolutely couldn’t stand about him when I was a teenager” (11). Now, as an adult, Takako sees the same man, merely older, and still holds reservations about him, not wanting to take advice from someone whose lifestyle she does not agree with.

Despite Takako’s initial feelings, Satoru proves to Takako that he can be trusted, and they soon develop a strong, supportive relationship. Satoru is able to show Takako a new way to approach life, in which she can be more confident in herself and her own journey, even if she does not yet know the destination. He shares with her how her birth gave him hope and direction in life, and that he found his way once he accepted himself and his own needs, leading him back to the bookshop. Through these discussions, a new image of a confident Satoru forms in Takako’s mind. 

This image is disrupted when Momoko returns and subsequently leaves again. Satoru is devastated and does not intend to pursue his wife until Takako convinces him to. When Satoru finds Momoko, he is finally unburdened by his past with her and approaches her honestly: “I felt like I was finally able to face all the things I hadn’t noticed before, all the things I’d turned away from. I took Momoko in my arms and I said ‘Don’t go’ over and over again” (144). For much of the novel, Satoru respects Momoko’s space and does not pry, even at the expense of his own wellbeing. It is only when Takako pushes him toward Momoko that he becomes a dynamic character who finally seeks what he wants.

Momoko is the wife of Satoru and the aunt of Takako. She is a mysterious figure to Takako, leaving her uncle and disappearing from the family five years prior to the events of Days at the Morisaki Bookshop. At first, Takako does not like Momoko, angry with how she disappeared and left Satoru, and unsure if she can be trusted. When Satoru asks Takako to find out why Momoko returned, Takako tries, though she finds herself caught off-guard by Momoko’s extroverted nature and friendliness toward her niece. 

Takako often eats dinner with Momoko, but Momoko effortlessly deflects every one of Takako’s inquiries: “She was already someone who seemed to jump from one topic to another without rhyme or reason, so she’d always end up going off on a tangent” (96). Despite her friendly nature, Momoko is not forthcoming about her emotions or past, keeping her personal life guarded. She does not want to share any of the details of the last five years with Takako, or the reasons why she initially left or why she is now back at the bookshop. Despite this, Takako and Momoko develop a strong bond and Momoko begins to play the role of a guide for Takako.

When Momoko invites Takako on a hiking trip, Takako accepts, believing that it is a sign that Momoko wants to open up. Momoko is still unwilling to speak candidly with Takako at first, but halfway through the trip, she finally opens up. Momoko explains how she left Satoru after their child was stillborn because of the pain, and how she has now returned because she is sick and wants to see Satoru. Through her relationship with Takako, Momoko proves to be a dynamic character by finally opening up and depending on other people for emotional support. 

This development seems short-lived when Momoko once again disappears, but when Satoru finds her and asks her to come back, she actually does: “Momoko returned. She said she’d needed to get her thoughts in order first, otherwise it wouldn’t have been fair to him. He told me that’s what she’d said when they said goodbye that day. She was as strong-willed as ever” (144). Momoko returns to the bookshop again after a year because she is finally ready to rely on Satoru and Takako and not live her life alone anymore. She is still independent, but her reservations toward sharing her pain with others evaporate, allowing her to reenter the family for good.

Wada is a love interest of Takako and a foil to her previous boyfriend, Hideaki. Takako meets Wada at Saveur in the aftermath of her breakup with Hideaki. Although she does not initially see Wada as a love interest, their bond and the easy nature of their conversations develops into romantic feelings. Wada is kind and attentive, making it seem to Takako as though they share a history: “It was also strange—it felt like we’d been friends forever, like I could talk to him for hours. When Wada seemed like he was listening to me seriously, he’d come out with something funny and make me laugh” (92). 

Wada is a foil to Hideaki because while Hideaki thinks of himself first, Wada chooses to be attentive to Takako and forge an actual bond. Wada shares interests with Takako, and pays attention to what she says, furthering the conversation with insightful comments and jokes. Wada also respects Takako’s independence and feelings, often making sure that he does not overstep: “‘Well, now’ Wada said, stretching happily. ‘Let me pick up the tab today to thank you for lending me the book. That wouldn’t bother you, would it?’” (142). Wada involves Takako, ensuring that she feels valued and appreciated. Hideaki was unable to do the same, always approaching Takako on his own terms, and effortlessly and unapologetically leaving her for another woman.

Hideaki is the former love interest of Takako and a foil to Wada. Hideaki is a selfish and inattentive boyfriend to Takako. He enjoys spending time with her but does not demonstrate any knowledge or care for her wellbeing or emotions. When he breaks up with Takako, Hideaki does so in a casual manner, showing no regret or worry for how this development might impact Takako: “[H]e says the name of a girl in a different department of the company—without the slightest hint of guilt in his voice” (2). Hideaki acts as though their breakup is not a serious development in their relationship, even asking Takako to hang out after their split. Hideaki does not notice that Takako falls into a deep depression and cannot understand how she must quit her job for her own health. 

His carelessness culminates in Takako’s confrontation with him. She tells Hideaki exactly how she feels and the ways in which he hurt her. Instead of listening to her, he dismisses her, refusing to take her seriously: “This is ridiculous. I don’t have time to hang around with people like you who have nothing to do. I’m going to bed. Unless you want me to call the police, you’d better go home” (60-61). Whereas Wada listens to Takako and values her emotions, Hideaki ignores them and acts as if they do not matter. Hideaki is selfish and self-absorbed, and his refusal to take Takako seriously causes much of the pain she deals with over the course of the novel.

Sabu is a secondary character in Days at the Morisaki Bookshop who frequents both the Morisaki Bookshop and Saveur. Sabu is older than the other characters and represents the clientele of the bookshop. He is a devoted reader who disagrees with how young people approach life and stray from reading: “Young people today, they don’t read books anymore […] they’re only seeing the surface of things. And if you don’t want to be a shallow person, then you should try reading some of the wonderful books in this place” (18). Sabu encourages Takako to read and often tries to interfere in the lives of other characters. He is very protective of Satoru, and tries to talk to Momoko to warn her against hurting Satoru again. 

Despite his intentions, Momoko wins him over and the two develop a friendly relationship: “Sabu giggles. ‘Well, maybe it’s time for me to go home,’ he says. ‘See you soon, Momoko.’ He waves to her and leaves the store in quite a cheery mood. He doesn’t say goodbye to my uncle or me” (146). Sabu represents the ways in which the bookshop and reading connect members of the community. He has a different relationship with each employee of the shop, but he fosters a friendship with each, and it is clear that his social life revolves around the shop.