對於寺山修司的印象，源自於大學時代，在一個藝術機構當兼職，為錄像圖書館製作資料庫。那時我看了幾部寺山修司的電影，其中一部叫《死在田園祭》，舞台般的場境佈置，光怪陸離的人物設定，濃郁的視覺語言，因為對此印象太深刻，我一度以為寺山修司只是一位出色的Cult片導演。
寺山修司在日本最為人認識的，並非他的電影作品。他是一位俳句詩人、作詞家、劇作家、政治評論家、攝影師，甚至是一位賽馬評論員。當他被問到怎樣形容自己的職業時，他說：「我的職業是寺山修司。」他做著自己感興趣的事、演繹自己，並且以此為業。寺山修司生前做過很多為人津津樂道的事，例如熱愛拳擊的他，在拳擊漫畫作品《明日之丈》來到最終回，主角矢吹丈過世時，竟為他舉辦了招待500人的喪禮。寺山修司不拘一格、好奇、瘋狂、背道而馳，對日本文化的影響力極為深遠。
究竟寺山修司的瘋狂點子是從何而來的呢？他一直吸收的是怎樣的文化營養？從他的藏書之中，或能窺看一二。東京代官山的T-Site Garden Gallery現正舉辦〈寺山修司不思議書店〉展覽，展出他過千本的藏書，橫尾忠則及宇野亞喜良為其創作的戲劇宣傳海報，亦將同時展出。
I first got to know about Shūji Terayama back in university, when I was working part-time in an arts organization helping to build up an archive for the visual library. There I came across a few of Terayama’s works, among which was Pastoral: To Die in the Country. The film was set in various theatrical stages, with all kinds of strange characters in scenes using a very vivid visual language. The film struck me so deeply that I once thought Terayama was merely a brilliant cult film director.
Back in Japan, Terayama was in fact better known for his Haiku, poetry, drama plays, political commentary, photography, and even horse-racing commentary. When being asked to define his occupation, he said, “My job is to be Shūji Terayama.” He acted according to his interest and saw it as his occupation. In his times, Terayama was always full of impressive surprises. For example, being a huge fan of boxing game himself, Terayama hosted a funeral for the fictional character Joe Yabuki, who is the protagonist in the Japanese boxing manga Ashita no Joe, when he died in the final chapter. The event even attracted 500 participants to attend. Terayama was never restricted by any norm; he was always curious, bizarre, unconventional, and cast a great influence on Japanese culture.
Where did Terayama get all his freakish ideas? From where did he gain his knowledge and thoughts? Perhaps his book collection could give us a glimpse into his mind. The Magical Bookstore of Shūji Terayama is an exhibition currently showing in T-Site Garden Gallery in Daikanyama, Tokyo. It showcases more than a thousand volumes of Terayama’s book collection, alongside with posters Tadanori Yokoo and Aquirax Uno designed for Terayama’s plays and films.
