'Missing Post Office' collects letters to the soulーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• The Missing Post Office (漂流郵便局 - Hyōryū Yūbinkyoku): A museum/archive for undeliverable mail located on Awashima Island.
• Setouchi Triennale: An international contemporary art festival where the project originated.
• Grief Counseling/Catharsis: The psychological function of writing to the deceased or inaccessible recipients.
• Archival Preservation: The systematic collection and curation of personal, non-deliverable correspondence.

1. Overview and Origin

The "Missing Post Office" is a unique facility located on the small island of Awashima in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, which has a population of approximately 130 people. The project was conceived by a local artist as an installation for the 2013 Setouchi Triennale International Art Festival. The site, a repurposed post office, serves as a repository for letters and postcards that have no physical destination, often addressed to deceased loved ones, former selves, or future versions of the authors.

2. The Nature of the Correspondence

The letters housed in the museum are characterized by their "spiritual dimension." They serve as a medium for individuals to express emotions that cannot be communicated through traditional channels.

• Content: Many letters contain expressions of grief, updates on the sender's life, and questions directed at the deceased (e.g., "Have you been able to see Grandpa?").
• Purpose: The post office acts as a sanctuary for "feelings that can’t reach anyone else," providing a sense of relief and connection for the writers.
• Volume: The project has gained significant traction, receiving over 68,000 letters to date.

3. Management and Legacy

The facility is managed by Nakata Tatsuo, a native of the island. The history of the office is deeply tied to his family:

• Nakata Katsuhisa: Tatsuo’s father, who served as the island’s actual postmaster for 45 years. Following his retirement, he became the postmaster of the "Missing Post Office" for the art project. He passed away at the age of 91 in the previous year.
• Continuity: Despite the elder Nakata’s passing, the project continues. Tatsuo manages the site with a philosophy of sustainability, noting that he intends to keep the office open without placing "too much pressure" on himself, ensuring that the public can continue to send and visit these messages.

4. Visitor Experience and Accessibility

• Public Access: The museum is open to the public on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Impact on Visitors: Visitors often describe the experience as moving, noting that the letters feel like "prayers." The act of reading these anonymous missives allows the public to share in the collective human experience of loss and longing.

5. Notable Quotes

• Nakata Tatsuo: "I understand everyone has a desire to confide in someone. I'm keeping these letters and appreciating them with all my heart."
• Visitor Perspective: "From these letters with no addressee, I can sense the emotions and what feels like people's prayers. It's really amazing."

6. Synthesis and Conclusion

The Missing Post Office on Awashima Island represents a successful intersection of contemporary art and human emotional needs. By providing a physical space for "undeliverable" mail, the project has transformed from a temporary art installation into a permanent, vital archive of human grief and memory. The project’s success—evidenced by the 68,000 letters received—highlights a universal human need for catharsis and the desire to maintain a connection with those who are no longer present. Under the stewardship of the Nakata family, the office remains a testament to the enduring power of written communication as a tool for emotional healing.