Staff Picks: Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto

I've always been fascinated by the unique culture of Japan. Here are two of my favorite recent reads from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto

When Shoji Morimoto’s boss criticized his job performance and accused him of doing nothing, Morimoto wondered if doing nothing could become his life’s work. In 2018 he started accepting requests to show up and do nothing. It’s a unique hobby that’s proved worthwhile as thousands of customers in and around Tokyo have requested Morimoto’s humble presence. 

Morimoto candidly describes the types of requests he receives. He’s been asked to share meals with strangers, wave to departing vacationers, visit people in the hospital, and accompany people on various outings.  

Morimoto rejects the idea that one's worth dereives from their productivity and says, “people have a value even if they do nothing.” 

This slim memoir is an interesting look at modern Japanese culture and the universal desire for human connection. I love the fact that Shoji Morimoto found people who would appreciate his presence in silence and that he was able to author an international bestseller while “doing nothing.” 

Strange Pictures by Uketsu; Translated by Jim Rion

Strange Pictures is a collection of inner-connected short stories that weave together an extended mystery. Each story includes sketches that are key to solving the mysteries. In the first story, two friends who enjoy researching paranormal activities notice something strange about a popular blogger's cryptic final post.     

Uketsu is a popular Japanese author and content creator who appears in YouTube videos wearing a white mask and black body suit and using a device that digitally distorts his voice. While he is well known in Japan, Strange Pictures is his first book to be translated into English. 

Forsyth County Public Library celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month this May with programs highlighting Asian culture at each of our five branches. Learn how to care for Bonsai, the history and basics of the game Go, and Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science for harmonizing spaces. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Mount Fuji, Japan