The Tsundoku is a Japanese term describing the habit of buying books and then letting them pile up on the shelves without reading them. However, this term goes beyond the simple description of a habit, but represents a cultural and psychological approach towards knowledge.
The word was born in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and combines three linguistic elements: “tsunde” (accumulate), “ok” (leave aside) e “doku” (read), suggesting an intention to read which however remains suspended in time.
Emerging as a concept as early as 1879, Tsundoku represents behavior linked to the desire for own and surround yourself with books. In contemporary society, daily frenzy contributes to the spread of Tsundoku.
Each book represents a future possibility of knowledge
Driven by momentary inspiration or by a need to enrich one’s culturebooks are purchased but they remain intact on the shelves. This accumulation often reflects a tension between aspiration and lack of time, but should not be seen as something negative.
Accumulating books, even without reading them immediately, reflects a form of intellectual aspiration. Each book added to your collection represents a future possibility of knowledge, a still unexplored opportunity that fuels curiosity. It is a silent reminder of the vast world of ideas and information yet to be discovered.
The psychology behind Tsundoku has deep roots. Buying books generates a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction, linked to the idea of enriching one’s intellectual potential. Furthermore, a personal library full of unread books is not a sign of failure, but of awareness of one’s ignorance and desire to expand your horizons.
Finally, Tsundoku also reflects the intrinsic value of books. Owning them, browsing them or simply seeing them on the shelves can generate a form of emotional comfort and stimulate creativity. Even if a book remains closed for years, its presence conveys a promise: that of a journey that it just waits for the moment Right to be undertaken.
