Journey back in time to when a young Japanese doctor named Mori Ōgai first set foot in Berlin. Now, we stand before the Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte. This museum is dedicated to the life and work of Mori Ōgai. He was not only a physician but also a celebrated poet, translator, and publicist.
Mori Ōgai lived in a room within the Pension Stern. It was located at Luisenstraße 39. He resided here from April to June 1887, during his studies in Germany. Today, this very spot houses the Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte. It offers insights into his life, his literary contributions, and the era in which he lived.
The Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte is part of the Institute for Asian and African Studies at Humboldt University. It plays a vital role in bridging Japanese and European cultures. The Gedenkstätte promotes understanding of Mori Ōgai. He was a significant figure in Japanese literature.
Inside the Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte, you will find a permanent exhibition. It highlights Ōgai’s experiences in Berlin. The memorial room recreates his living space. It is furnished in the style of the late 19th century.
The study room provides access to all of Ōgai’s writings in their original Japanese. Translations and relevant research contributions are also available. The Ōgai Portal offers a deeper exploration into this founder of modern Japanese literature.
The Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte hosts special exhibitions and events. These focus on cultural and academic exchanges between Japan and Europe. They highlight the transition to modernity. Since 2017, the German-Asian Study Day for Literature and Humanities takes place here annually.
The Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte attracts many tourists. They come from Japan and all over the world. The Mori Ōgai Memorial Fund supports the work of the Gedenkstätte.
The story of this memorial began in 1965. Kawabata Yasunari, Niwa Fumio, and Takami Jun requested a memorial plaque. They wanted to honor Mori Ōgai. He promoted European literature in Japan. The plaque was unveiled in 1966.
In 1984, the Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkzimmer was inaugurated. This marked the centennial of Ōgai’s arrival in Germany. Jürgen Berndt initiated the project. Charlotte von Mahlsdorf also contributed. The DDR government and the Ōgai Society in Tokyo supported the project.
Beate Wonde, a Japanologist, oversaw the exhibition space from 1984. In 2019, she was elected to the board of the Japanese Ōgai Society. Her long service was recognized.
In 1989, Humboldt University officially established the Gedenkstätte. Jürgen Berndt was the director. Klaus Kracht followed in 1995. Harald Salomon took over in 2013. After German reunification, funding was uncertain. Japanese donations and support from Schering AG ensured its survival.
In 1994, the decision was made to preserve the Gedenkstätte as a university institution. In 1995, the Center for Language and Culture of Japan was founded. It included the Institute for Japanese Studies and the Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte.
In 2013, the Center for Language and Culture of Japan was dissolved. The Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte became an independent part of the Institute for Asian and African Studies. Harald Salomon has been the head since then. Nora Bartels joined as an education officer in 2020. The Gedenkstätte publishes the Ōgai Portal and is preparing the Ōgai Library.
Mori Ōgai’s legacy lives on through this memorial. It is a testament to his contributions to literature and cultural understanding. The Mori-Ōgai-Gedenkstätte stands as a bridge between Japan and Europe.