Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" vol.13 + bee!

Issued April 2023, 1

vol.13 winter issue

The Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" is a quarterly information paper that contains information on local culture and arts, newly published by the Ota Ward Cultural Promotion Association from the fall of 2019.
"BEE HIVE" means a beehive.
Together with the ward reporter "Mitsubachi Corps" gathered by open recruitment, we will collect artistic information and deliver it to everyone!
In "+ bee!", We will post information that could not be introduced on paper.

Feature article: Ikegami + bee!

Artistic people: Motofumi Wajima, owner of old folk house cafe "Rengetsu" + bee!

Art Place: "KOTOBUKI Pour Over" owner/suminagashi artist/artist Shingo Nakai + bee!

Future attention EVENT + bee!

Not only selling books, but also people who publish their own books have been born.
"BOOKbook STUDIOStudio・Mr. Keisuke Abe, Mr. Hideyuki Ishii, Mr. Akiko Noda”

Ikegami is the place where Saint Nichiren passed away, and it is a historic town that has developed since the Kamakura period as a temple town of Ikegami Honmonji Temple.We are trying to revitalize it as an art town while taking advantage of the unique scenery and calm lifestyle of Teramachi.We interviewed Mr. Keisuke Abe and Mr. Hideyuki Ishii, who run the shared bookstore "BOOK STUDIO" in Ikegami. "BOOK STUDIO" is a collection of small bookstores with a minimum shelf of 30cm x 30cm, and each bookshelf is given a unique name by the owner of the shelf (store owner).

BOOK STUDIO, a shared bookstore with a minimum shelf size of 30cm x 30cm
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

BOOK STUDIO is a place for self-expression.

How long has BOOK STUDIO been active?

Abe: “It started at the same time as the opening of Nomigawa Studio* in 2020.”

Please tell us about the concept of the store.

Abe: Speaking of bookstores in the world, there are small bookstores and large-scale stores in the city. It's more fun and convenient to go to a large bookstore with a lot of things.If it's design, there are a lot of design books.There are related books next to it, and you can find this and that.But that's the bookstore's I think it's just one aspect of the fun.
The interesting thing about share-type bookstores is that the shelves are small and the tastes of the owner of the shelf can be expressed as they are.I don't know what kind of books are lined up.Next to a haiku book, there may suddenly be a science book.Random encounters like that are fun. "

Ishii: BOOK STUDIO is a place for self-expression.

You also hold workshops.

Abe: When the owner of the store is in charge of the store, we use the space of Nomigawa Studio to hold a workshop planned by the owner of the store. It's attractive."

Ishii: I don't want to put the thoughts of the owner of the shelf only in that shelf. However, if the shelf is empty, nothing will pop out, so I think it's important to enrich the bookstore. ”

How many pairs of shelf owners do you currently have?

Abe: “We have about 29 shelves.

Ishii: I think it would be more interesting if there were more tananishi. ."

BOOK STUDIO is also a meeting place.

How are customers reacting to the shared bookstore?

Abe: Some of the repeaters who come to buy books come to see a specific shelf. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Is it possible for customers and shelf owners to communicate directly?

Abe: The owner of the shelf is in charge of the store, so it's also attractive to be able to talk directly with the person who recommends the books on the shelf. We will tell the shelf owner that this person has come and bought that book. I don't know, but I think that as a shelf owner, I have a lot of strong connections with customers."

Ishii ``Since the shopkeeper is on duty, it's not always possible to meet the owner of the shelf you're looking for, but if the timing is right, you can meet and talk. You can also stick the

Abe: If you send us a letter, we will deliver it to the owner.

Ishii: There was a shop called Haikuya-san, and a customer who bought a book there left a letter for the shelf owner. There is also."

Abe: Due to everyone's circumstances, it tends to be the last minute, but I'm also letting you know about this week's schedule, such as the owner of the shelf.

Ishii: Some of the shelf owners have not only sold books, but also published their own books.

Nomigawa Studio where workshops planned by Mr. Taninushi are also held
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The backbone of the city is solid.

Could you tell us about the attractions of the Ikegami area?

Ishii: We both talk about how we can't do bad things because we have Honmonji-san. There is no doubt that the presence of the temple has created this unique atmosphere. Ikegami has a solid backbone.”

Abe: Of course, I can't do anything sloppy, but I feel like I want to be of some help to the city. Just looking at the birds that come to the river can be fun, such as when it's duck season or when migratory birds are coming.The condition of the water, or the expression of the river, is different every day.The sunlight that shines on the surface of the river is also different. I think it's lyrical and nice to be able to feel that kind of change every day."

Ishii: I hope that the Nomikawa River will become cleaner and more friendly. Actually, the entire river was planned to be closed off and turned into a culvert. It has remained as it is now.It is a river that miraculously survived, but at present it has little contact with the residents.I hope it will become a place where people can have more contact.”

*Nomigawa Studio: A multi-purpose space that can be used by anyone, including a gallery, event space, video distribution studio, and cafe.

Profile

Left wearing Nomigawa Studio original T-shirt
Mr. Ishii, Mr. Noda, Mr. Son, and Mr. Abe
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

abekeisuke

Born in Mie prefecture. Operates Baobab Design Company (design office) and Tsutsumikata 4306 (business trip live distribution and distribution consulting).

Hideyuki Ishii, Akiko Noda

Born in Tokyo.landscape architect. Established Studio Terra Co., Ltd. in 2013.

BOOK STUDIO

• Location: 4-11-1 Ikegami, Ota-ku Daigo Asahi Building 1F Nomigawa Studio
• Access: 7-minute walk from Tokyu Ikegami Line "Ikegami Station"
• Business hours / 13: 00 to 18: 00
• Business days / Fridays and Saturdays

We are currently looking for a shelf owner.

website

What I've been doing is connecting people and stories
"Motofumi Wajima, the owner of the old folk house cafe 'Rengetsu'"

Rengetsu was built in the early Showa period.The first floor is a soba restaurant, and the second floor isA basket of lizardsHatagoIt has been popular as a banquet hall. In 2014, the owner closed down due to his advanced age. In the fall of 2015, it was revived as an old private house cafe "Rengetsu", and it has become a pioneer of new urban development in the Ikegami district as well as renovation of old private houses.

Old folk house cafe "Rengetsu"
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

Not knowing anything is the hardest thing and the best weapon.

Please tell us how you started the store.

“When the soba restaurant Rengetsuan closed its doors, volunteers gathered and started discussing how to preserve the building. I was at a loss, so I raised my hand and said, 'I'll do it'."

Rengetsu, an old folk house cafe, is famous now, so I have an image that it has been smooth sailing since the opening, but it seems that you had a lot of trouble until the launch.

“I think I was able to do it because of my ignorance. Now that I have the knowledge of how to run a store, I would never be able to do it even if I received an offer. When I tried it out, it was a shock financially.I think that ignorance was the hardest thing and the best weapon.Maybe I had the courage to take on the challenge more than anyone else. After all, five months after we received the offer, it was already open.”

That's early.

“Before the store opened, we started filming a movie called “Fukigen na Kashikaku,” starring Kyoko Koizumi and Fumi Nikaido. We were lucky to be able to extend it. Actually, half of the floor on the first floor is a movie set, and we made the other half (laughs).”

Creating new value in old things.

I heard that you ran a second-hand clothing store before Rengetsu.I think that old clothes and old folk houses have something in common to make the best use of old things.What do you think.

“I realized after I started Rengetsu, but what I do in my life is to create new value in old things. The way to create that value is to tell stories. Human beings are always exposed to stories.Watching dramas, reading books, thinking about the future, looking back at the past, we live unconsciously feeling stories. 's job is to connect people and stories."

Is it the same when you sell clothes?

“It turned out to be the case. Tell the story of what the clothes are. The people who wear the clothes find value in the stories and become involved in their lives.”

Please tell us about the concept of the store.

“The theme is to allow people to experience civilization and culture. When remodeling, I wanted to make the first floor a space where you can walk up with your shoes on, and the second floor has tatami mats so you can take off your shoes. The 1st floor is not an old private house as it is, but a space that has been updated to match the present age.The 2nd floor is almost untouched and is close to the state of the old private house.For me, the 1st floor is civilization, and the 2nd floor is culture. I am living separately so that I can experience such things.”

Cozy space leading to the garden
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

So you are particular about coordinating old things with the present.

“There is that. Don't you feel uncomfortable in a store that looks cool?

I would be happy if new memories and stories were born in each life.

What kind of customers do you have?

“Many of them are women. On weekends, there are many families, and couples. I was told it was fine, but I thought it was a little different.I think that the best marketing for me is not to set a target.”

Have you noticed anything after trying the shop?

“This building was built in 8. I don’t know about the people of that era, but they certainly lived here. Beyond that, we are now, and I'm a part of those people, so even if I'm gone, if this building remains, I feel that something will continue.
What I realized when I opened this store is that what I do now will lead to something in the future.I want Rengetsu to be a place that connects the past, present and future.And I would be happy if new memories and stories were born in each customer's life by spending time at Rengetsu. ”

By coming into contact with culture and the arts, you can say that your life expands, and you feel that you have a life of your own before you were born and after you are gone.

"I understand. What I existed will disappear when I'm gone, but what I said and the fact that I worked hard will spread and live on without me noticing it. I'll tell you that old buildings are comfortable, and I'll tell you. , I want to convey that the people who lived in the Showa era are connected to the present.There are various pasts, and I think that various people in the past thought about us now and worked hard. We will also do our best for the future in the same way.I want more people to be able to spread happiness, not just the happiness in front of us.”

Is it possible to feel such a feeling only because it is such an old building?

“For example, here on the second floor, you take off your shoes on the tatami mats. Taking off your shoes is like taking off a piece of clothing, so I think you can get closer to a relaxed state. The number of houses with tatami mats is decreasing, so I think there are different ways to relax.”

A relaxing space with tatami mats
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

In Ikegami, the flow of time is not rushed.

Did the birth of Rengetsu change the town of Ikegami?

“I think the number of people who have come to Ikegami for the purpose of visiting Rengetsu has increased. When it is used in dramas or in the media, people who have seen it continue to send information about wanting to visit Rengetsu. We are also streaming properly (laughs).I think that more and more people are interested in Ikegami, not just Rengetsu.The number of various attractive shops is also increasing.Ikegami is a little bit of a revitalization. I think I could have become

Please tell us about the attractions of Ikegami.

“Perhaps because it is a temple town, time may flow differently in Ikegami. There are many people who are enjoying the change in the city.

Profile

Mr. Motofumi Wajima in "Rengetsu"
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

The owner of the old private house cafe "Rengetsu". 1979 Born in Kanazawa City. In 2015, he opened an old private house cafe "Rengetsu" in front of Ikegami Honmonji Temple.In addition to the renovation of old private houses, it will be a pioneer in new urban development in the Ikegami district.

Old folk house cafe "Rengetsu"

• Location: 2-20-11 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 8-minute walk from Tokyu Ikegami Line "Ikegami Station"
• Business hours/11:30-18:00 (Last order 17:30)
• Regular holiday / Wednesday
• Phone / 03-6410-5469

website

Writers get together and want to create something from this place
"KOTOBUKIKotobuki Forpoor Aboutオ ー バ ー”Owner / suminagashi artist / artist Shingo Nakai”

KOTOBUKI Pour Over is a renovated wooden house on the corner of Ikegami Nakadori Shopping Street with large glass doors.This is an alternative space* run by Shingo Nakai, a suminagashi* writer and artist.

A unique Japanese house painted in blue
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

I realized that there was nothing Japanese in my art.

Please tell us about your encounter with suminagashi.

“Twenty years ago, I felt uncomfortable with the art education in Japan, so I stayed in New York and studied painting. During an oil painting class at the Art Students League*, the instructor looked at my oil painting and said, "What is that? It's not an oil painting." Furthermore, it was the moment when he said, ``It looks like calligraphy to me,'' and something changed in my consciousness.
After that, I returned to Japan and researched various aspects of Japanese traditional arts and culture.It was there that I encountered the existence of decorative paper called writing paper for hiragana and calligraphy, which was established in the Heian period.The moment I found out about it, I was connected to what happened in New York, and I thought, this is the only one.While researching paper, I came across the history and culture of suminagashi, one of the decorative techniques. "

Expressing it as contemporary art has a higher degree of freedom.

What attracted you to suminagashi?

“The charm of suminagashi is its method of reflecting the depth of history and the process of creating nature.”

What made you switch from calligraphy to contemporary art?

“While doing calligraphy, I researched and made paper myself. I couldn't get used to it.Ryoshi was paper, and there was too little demand for it to be a profession.When I thought about ways to make it easier for the younger generation to take in, expressing it as contemporary art was more flexible. Suminagashi has the potential for modern expression.”

Mr. Nakai demonstrating suminagashi
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Japan doesn't have many free-to-use boxes

What inspired you to start the shop?

“I found this place by chance when I was looking for an atelier-cum-residence property. I do a lot of on-site work, such as painting directly on walls, so I don’t want to waste time when the atelier is vacant. It also leads to interaction with new artists.There aren't many free spaces in Japan where you can have a chat while enjoying a cup of coffee or alcohol, and appreciate art works, so I wanted to try it myself, so I started."

Please tell us the origin of the name.

"This place was originallyKotobukiyaKotobukiyaThis is the place where there was a stationery shop.As with the suminagashi I am doing, I think it is very important to pass on something and to have something remain in the midst of change.Even while the renovation work was going on, many people passing by said to me, ``Are you a relative of Kotobukiya? is.
It's an auspicious name, so I decided to inherit it.That's why I named it KOTOBUKI Pour Over with the idea of ​​pouring coffee and pouring something on top, Kotobuki = Kotobuki. "

cafe space
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

Why was it a cafe?

“When I was in New York, I didn’t just exhibit my work and just appreciate it quietly, but the music was blaring, everyone was drinking booze, and the work was on display, but I didn’t know what was the main character. The space was really cool.It's that kind of space, but it doesn't feel like you're going underground, but it's a space where you can enjoy delicious coffee and a little special sake. I wanted to create a space where you could just come and have a cup of coffee.”

It used to be a paper shop before it was a stationery shop, but I feel that it is a kind of fate that a sumi-nagashi/ryogami artist reuses it.

"Exactly. When I was passing by, I saw that Kotobukiya Paper Shop was written, and the building was standing tall, and I thought, 'Wow, this is it!' There was a real estate agent's poster on the street, so I called them on the spot (laughs)."

I would like to provide an exhibition environment where young people can continue their artistic activities.

Please tell us about your exhibition activities so far.

“Since opening in 2021, we have been holding exhibitions at intervals of about once every one to two months without interruption.”

How many of your own exhibitions are there?

"I am not doing my own exhibition here. I have decided not to do it here."

You are also collaborating with theater people.

“There is a theater company called ‘Gekidan Yamanote Jijosha’ nearby, and the people who belong to it get along well and cooperate in various ways. I would like to team up with

Are there any artists or exhibitions you would like to see in the future?

“I want young artists to use it. Of course, young artists need to create works, but they also need experience in exhibiting. I would like to provide an exhibition environment where you can
I want to create something from this place where writers can get together.I think it would be great if there was no hierarchy, where writers would gather in a fair relationship, hold events, and create new genres. increase. ”

An installation exhibit that reproduces suminagashi works and workshops
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

Going out for coffee and appreciating art has become commonplace.

Have you ever felt any change in the town of Ikegami by continuing the space?

"I don't think it has enough influence to change the city, but there are people who live in the neighborhood and it's become commonplace to go out for coffee and appreciate art. Buy what you like. There are also people who want to see it.In that sense, I think it will have a little impact."

What do you think about the future of Ikegami?

“I wish there were more spaces, galleries, and shops that I could recommend to customers. There are still many interesting shops, but it would be nice if we could hold some kind of event around the same time.
It's nice to have people coming in from outside and it's lively, but I don't want the environment to be uncomfortable for the locals.It will be difficult, but I hope that the environment will become a good balance. ”

* Suminagashi: A method of transferring swirl patterns made by dropping ink or pigments on the surface of water onto paper or cloth.

*Alternative space: An art space that is neither an art museum nor a gallery.In addition to exhibiting works of art, it supports various genres of expressive activities such as dance and drama.

*The Art Students League of New York: The art school where Isamu Noguchi and Jackson Pollock studied.

Profile

Shingo Nakai standing in front of the glass door
Ⓒ KAZNIKI

Suminagashi writer/artist. Born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1979. KOTOBUKI Pore Over will open in April 2021.

KOTOBUKI Pour Over

• Location: 3-29-16 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 5-minute walk from Tokyu Ikegami Line "Ikegami Station"
• Business hours (approximately) / 11: 00-16: 30 Night part self-restraint
• Business days/Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

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Attention EVENT information may be canceled or postponed in the future to prevent the spread of new coronavirus infections.
Please check each contact for the latest information.

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"Kenji Ide Solo Exhibition"

Ryushi Memorial Museum 60th Anniversary Special Exhibition
"Yokoyama Taikan and Kawabata Ryushi"

Contact

Public Relations and Public Hearing Section, Culture and Arts Promotion Division, Ota Ward Cultural Promotion Association