By Kanae Takagi

On April 23, 2005, the Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum opened in the southern Hokkaido city of Date. Miyao wrote Miyao's book―The Tale of the Heike in four volumes. It is used as the script of "Yoshitsune," the NHK Taiga drama which features historical events and characters. The Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum was built next to Reimeikan which is a roadside station for tourists. Therefore, it is always crowded with people.

The reason the Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum was built in Date relates to the writing of Miyao's book―The Tale of the Heike. She wrote this book in her cottage in Date during the summers from 1999 to 2003. Moreover, because citizens had a desire to convey her works and achievement to the world, the Literature Museum was built in Date. Also, it is hoped that it can play a part in the revitalization of Date. The Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum's construction costs couldn't be covered by the town of Date alone. Therefore, town officials decided to enlist the help of the Japan Lottery Association, the government of Hokkaido, and local citizens. Also, the administration was committed to the Specified Nonprofit Corporation Date Tourist Association, which is based on a specific managerial system, so the running costs could be covered by the admission fee and not depend solely on the resources of Date.

The Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum has on exhibit the original manuscripts of Miyao's book―The Tale of the Heike, her diary, letters, her other works, her favorite things, and things she remembers in connection with Date. The exhibit has thousands of manuscripts and dozens of notebooks. They were written for Miyao's book―The Tale of the Heike. We can sense her eagerness to complete this book and her extraordinary and effort. Also, we can imagine her personality from seeing her favorite things. These personal items can help attract visitors.

Tomiko Miyao was born in Kochi in 1926. She calls herself a "housewife writer" because she did housework, raised her child and wrote at the sometime. Therefore, her stories are mostly focused on women. Her other works include Kai, Shunto, Shuka, and Niyodogawa. They are well-known as her four-part autobiographical novels. Many of her stories have been made into movies, stage plays, and video dramas.

Although Miyao is from Kochi, the reason she wrote Miyao's book―The Tale of the Heike in Date is because she was attracted to the cool weather of Hokkaido. She is weak in the summer heat in Tokyo. Besides, when she is home, many visitors come there. Therefore, it isn't suitable to concentrate on writing. Since she came to Date, she developed a weakness for potatoes, pumpkins, milk, and butter which are indigenous to Hokkaido. She still eats Kita-akari (Hokkaido potatoes). Hokkaido citizens will be glad to hear that. Although she has sold her cottage in Date, she mentioned that she wants to visit once a year.

In the future, the Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum will become a place where many people can become more familiar with literature. Also, it is utilized for social education; visitors can be exposed to living literature. Therefore, it will help Date's sightseeing development as visitors become familiar with history and literature.

However, the Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum shouldn't be thought of as Date's property. It should be seen as Hokkaido's cultural property, which includes the Ayako Miura Literature Memorial Museum in Asahikawa and the Arisima Memorial Museum in Niseko. Writer's Literature Museums which are associated with Hokkaido will increase and connect to the development of Hokkaido. Therefore, the Tomiko Miyao Literature Museum is important, so all Hokkaido citizens should cherish it.