Exploring Typewritten Literary Manuscripts via Kerouac's "On the Road"

2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K00422
• Research Institution: Kobe City University of Foreign Studies
• Principal Investigator: THEADO Matthew 神戸市外国語大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (70733369)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: literature / typewriter / composition

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

I traveled to the New York Public Library (in New York, USA) in order to conduct research at the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature. This collection contains the Jack Kerouac archive. I studied the typescripts of Kerouac's novel, ON THE ROAD and made image scans that I could use upon my return to Japan. I also traveled to Tokyo in order to visit Yamaji Kazuhiro, the owner of Flying Books. Yamaji-san has an important collection of Beat Generation literature that will be part of our exhibition.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

The coronavirus pandemic forced me to cancel the planned exhibition of Jack Kerouac's typescript scroll. Working in conjunction with Kobe City University of Foreign Studies' Research Office staff, and the BB Plaza Museum of Art staff, we were prepared to hold the exhibition beginning on April 25, 2020. However, government restrictions and considerations of health and safety caused us to cancel the exhibition.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

We are now planning to hold the Kerouac Scroll Typescript exhibition in 2021, along with the educational gallery talks and the academic symposium.

Causes of Carryover

I will apply the remaining funds to the Academic Symposium.