The Moomins’ Home Away From Home

The Moomins’ Path to Japan 

The Moomins first came to Japan when Tove Jansson’s novels were translated into Japanese in the 1960s. Soon after, TV animations of the Moomins were created and broadcast in Japan. There have been several different versions of the animations, and they have gained wide popularity among audiences in Japan. Although not as widely known as the novels and animations, Jansson’s comics were also translated into Japanese. 

In Japan, some of the characters’ names have been changed to names more suitable for Japan. For example, Hattifatteneres are called “Nyoronyoro” and Mymble is “Mimura Ne-san”. 

Following the release of the animation series “Tales of Moominvalley” in the 1990s, there was a surge in the popularity of the Moomins worldwide, particularly in Japan. Stores with the Moomins’ merchandise and goods popped up in Finland and gave way to the countless Moomin stores and cafes that are in Japan today. 

About the Moomins’ Creator

Tove Jansson was born to a Swedish-speaking family in Helsinki, Finland. Her father was a sculptor, and her mother was an illustrator and artist. Her brother Lars first started helping translate and write the text for the comics, but later began drawing illustrations as well. 

Jansson began producing illustrations for a political satire magazine called “Garm” when she was only 15 years old. During the Second World War, she contributed immensely to the magazine, including caricatures of Hitler and Stalin. She remained loud and clear about her disdain towards the fascist regimes. It was also during that time that she started writing the Moomin novels. Her anxiety and fear surrounding the safety of her family members are mirrored in her stories. 

At the same time, homosexuality was still illegal in Finland, and it was unsafe for people to love whoever they wished. It is said that some of the characters in Moomin represent her and the women she loved. Two-ticky was inspired by her long-term partner, Tuulikki Pietila. 

The Moomins in Japan 

Over the years, the popularity of the Moomins has only continued to grow. The first Moomin Cafe in Japan opened near the Tokyo Dome in 2003, while the first Moomin shop opened in Tokyo in 2012. Japan’s love for the Moomins led to the opening of the Moominvalley Park, an amusement park in Saitama, in 2019. Moomin shops and cafes can now be found all over Japan, with merchandise ranging from mugs, stationery, and t-shirts to even suitcases! 

Between 2020 and 2022, “The Moomin Comic Strips Exhibition – The Art of Tove and Lars Jansson” toured Japan, showcasing illustrations that have never been shown in Japan before, and some of which have never been translated into Japanese. In this collection, some pieces had never been displayed outside of Finland before. 

This year, for the 80th anniversary of the first novel’s publication, an exhibition called “Tove Jansson and the Moomins” is being held in Roppongi, Tokyo. According to the president of the company that manages Moomin licensing in Japan, the popularity of Moomins in Japan is not just a short-term trend. The demand for Moomin merchandise is strong, and collaborations with other companies are increasing steadily. 

The Moomins’ values are especially important today, with the global rise of racism and the impending dangers of the climate crisis. The Moomins teach us a valuable lesson on inclusivity, justice, and care. 

written by まりか