Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" vol.21 + bee!

Issued April 2025, 1

vol.21 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.

Artistic person: Actor Hairi Katagiri + bee!

Art Place: Sanno Audium + bee!

Shopping street x art + bee! 

Future attention EVENT + bee!

Watching a movie means being inside the movie.
"Actor Hairi Katagiri"

Actor Hairi Katagiri is a die-hard movie fan who still finds time to work as a ticket collector* at movie theaters. You can casually spot her in the shopping district around Omori. Katagiri is a graduate of Sanno Elementary School. We asked her about her memories of Sanno and her thoughts on movies.

  Hairi Katagiri relaxing in a garden in Sanno ©KAZNIKI

I had always thought of Sanno Elementary School as a school that was close to arts and culture.

I understand that you graduated from Sanno Elementary School. Please tell us about your memories of Sanno.

"When I think of Sanno, I can't forget the tower of Taro Okamoto at Mami Flower Design School. I'm so sad that it's gone. It looked like a blue tile version of the Tower of the Sun."

Unfortunately, it was demolished in 2002 due to deterioration and earthquake resistance issues.

"There is Tenso Shrine, and the view of Taro Okamoto's tower is burned into my memory. I had the image of Sanno as a town of art. There is the Shiro Ozaki Memorial Museum and the Sanno Sodo Memorial Museum of Tokutomi Soho, and many painters live there. I even had a haiku poet's grandson in my class. I grew up hearing things like, "Writers live there," and "Yukio Mishima was there." Sanno Elementary School was a school where students came from outside of the city, and I thought it was a school close to art and culture. The students who came from outside of the city all rented apartments, and in fact those houses became hangout spots for mischievous kids (laughs)."

Former Mami Hall Photo courtesy of Mami Flower Design School

We did some excavation and even buried some things ourselves (laughs).

Is there any place that is particularly memorable?

"Children in those days played outside, usually at shrines. I often played at Tenso Shrine or Kumano Shrine. We also played in parks, but the best playgrounds were vacant lots. There were a lot of vacant lots in those days. When a mansion was demolished, it became a huge vacant lot. I often played at the site of the Omori Hotel*, which is now Sanno Park."

Do you know what the Omori Hotel was like when it was here?

"The first thing I remember that I liked the most was the red lanterns at the Omori Hotel. They were really beautiful, and it felt like I was in a faraway foreign country, like I'd wandered into a movie. And then there was the German School*. Every morning when I was going to elementary school, a bunch of German children would come and it made me feel like I was living in a foreign place. There were lots of old mansions and very stylish houses."

I hear you like archaeology.

"When the mansion is demolished, the site becomes an archaeological site. It needs to be investigated, so excavation begins. I also went to an excavation. It's more like a tour, and anyone can participate voluntarily. This area is the birthplace of archaeology in Japan, so I think it was inevitable that I became interested in archaeology. One time, a friend of mine in elementary school came back to find shells from a shell mound and was scolded by his teacher, who told him to 'give them back'. We did excavations, and we even buried things ourselves (laughs)."

Omori Hotel Provided by: Ota City Local Museum

After school, I would go and watch it still in my school uniform.

Please tell us about your encounter with film.

"I started going to the cinema with my parents when I was in elementary school, but I became obsessed with movies when I was in junior high school. There were three cinemas across from Cafe Ruan in Omori, and I saw the first Star Wars* at one of them, the Omori Aiton Theater. I also remember being shocked as a child by seeing A Clockwork Orange*. The theater next door was showing Western pornographic films, something a little more shocking like Emmanuelle* (laughs)."

It covers a wide range of genres, from entertainment to arthouse to soft porn.

"Back in the day, there were movie posters all over town, and some of them were quite erotic. My kids used to pass by, knowing they shouldn't look, but pretending not to. I tried not to look, but you can't help but see them (laughs). There were three posters lined up on a wall near the Sumitomo Bank in front of the station. Back then, everyone knew what was showing at the cinema that week. Nowadays, there are people who don't even know that there's a cinema in Omori. My dream is to have a Kineka Omori poster and sign at Omori Station."

I heard that when you became a junior high school student, you started going to the movies alone.

"I just couldn't wait to see it. After school, sometimes I would change clothes, but I would go to see it in my school uniform. I would go to the local cinema, of course, but also to Kawasaki, Gotanda, and all sorts of places. There were still a lot of art house theaters* back then, but we didn't have much money, so it was tough. If you tell young people today that you're going to see a double feature at an art house, they'll ask, 'What, you can see two movies?'"

© KAZNIKI

I wish I had met this actor who is considered a legend, and listened to what he had to say.

When you entered university you started acting in theatre, but why did you choose to study theatre instead of film?

"I wanted to join the film club, but they told me to go into theater instead. I didn't want to be an actor, but I thought I might be able to do something like shooting 8mm films, and then they said, 'You have a big face, so you're suited to theater,' so I went into theater. I had no interest in the stage, but they wouldn't let me join the film club, so I had no choice. At the time, the drama club didn't have enough girls for the play they were trying to do, so they said, 'Anyone is welcome,' and let me in."

You appeared in a movie right after graduating from university. How did you feel about appearing in a movie?

"It was a bit tough. 'Comic Magazines Nante Iga Ni!' (1986)* was my first film, but 'Hachiko Monogatari' (1987)* was the first one I did properly. Every day, I had to go to Shochiku's Ofuna Studio, get ready in full costume, and wait the whole time. There were days when I was told, 'You're not going to be in it today.' I played the role of a maid at Hachiko's house, so I was told, 'We don't know which shot you'll be in. We just need you to wait.' That's what movies are like. Since then, even when I watch movies, I find myself thinking things like, 'How did they shoot it? How many days did this person wait?' or 'I wonder which shot was OK for this one?' It was tough, so I decided to give up on movies. That's why I didn't appear in many films in my twenties and thirties. Looking back, I don't regret it, but I do wish I had met some of the so-called legendary actors, and listened to what they had to say."

© KAZNIKI

I want to cherish those two hours in the darkness of a movie theater.

Please tell us about the appeal of movies and movie theaters.

"The hardest thing for me is being asked, 'What is your favorite movie?' I like the content of movies, but basically, I enjoy being in a movie theater and having a lot of fun. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has started watching movies at home, and on top of that, you can watch as many movies as you want on your smartphone. There's been a trend that people don't go out of their way to go to the movie theater, but I've always believed that, 'No, no, that's not true.'"

This means that there is a kind of enjoyment that can only be had at a movie theater.

"Yes. People often talk about the merits of movie theaters in terms of a big screen, good acoustics, and high specs, but I think it's different. I want to say, 'Are you forgetting that it's your body that goes to the movie theater?' You enter the darkness of the movie theater and watch a movie with strangers. I think that's a completely different thing, a different form of entertainment, from watching at home or on your smartphone. You can of course talk about the same movie, but I think that it's a completely different experience. The most important thing is to disconnect from your everyday life. Make the choice to turn off your smartphone and concentrate on the movie. It's important to dedicate your time to the movie. I want to cherish those two hours in the darkness of the movie theater. It's important that your body goes there. Watching a movie isn't about taking in information, it's about entering the movie. It's not about which is better or worse. It's about being different."

When I went to work on the first three days of the New Year, I received a 500 yen New Year's gift from the movie theater (laughs).

Finally, please tell us what masterpieces you would recommend to watch during the New Year holidays.

"You should definitely watch "Tora-san"*. For me, New Year's Day starts with "Tora-san". When I was a student, I worked part-time at a movie theater, and there was a long line for "Tora-san" from the morning. Everyone who had come to the shrine for the first time of the year came to see the movie with their hamaya arrows and wearing long-sleeved kimonos. When I think of New Year's Day, the only thing I can think of is "Tora-san". It was released during Obon and New Year's, so it's half New Year's material and half Obon material. I think it's best to choose a New Year's movie and watch it. In fact, when I went to work on the first three days of the New Year, the movie theater gave me a 500 yen New Year's gift (laughs). When I spent New Year's Day in Japan because I couldn't go anywhere due to the coronavirus pandemic, I watched "Tora-san" with my 11-year-old child. We see scenery and lifestyles that once existed. It seems that children will feel like they know something, even though they have never seen it before. They enjoyed it a lot. Everyone can laugh together. "

I would like to see the residents of the ward create an archive of old footage.

Finally, please give a message to the residents.

"Right now I'm looking for photos of movie theaters. Surprisingly, there are very few photos of Aton left. Behind the old Budoya on Ikegami Street there used to be a movie theater called Omori Hollywood, but there are no photos of it either. I've heard that the space that becomes a rotary during the Tori-no-ichi festival at Otori Shrine used to be a circular movie theater. There were apparently several in the Magome area as well. 8mm film and VHS tapes, as well as the footage that people took, are all discarded when they are replaced by other people. If you take a moment to look and see if there are any photos of the old townscape, you're sure to find some valuable materials. I hope that a library or someone will create an archive of old footage made by the ward's residents."

Photo shoot cooperation: BOOKCAFE Book Garden

*Mogiri: A slang term for ticket collectors at theaters, cinemas, etc., who tear off the stub of your ticket at the entrance or reception.
*Omori Hotel: Opened in 1921 or 10, closed around 1922. A bungalow-style Western-style two-story wooden hotel.
* German School: A German school opened in Yokohama in 1904 (Meiji 37). It moved to Sanno, Ota Ward in 1925 (Taisho 14). In 1933 (Showa 8), a school building was established near the current location of German Street. In 1991 (Heisei 3), it moved to Yokohama.
*The first Star Wars film: Star Wars, directed by George Lucas and released in 1.
* A Clockwork Orange: A 1971 film directed by Stanley Kubrick. It has been deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and is preserved in the National Film Registry.
*Emmanuelle: A French film released in 1974. It became a big hit as soft porn for women.
*Arthouse cinema: a movie theater that screens films that have no longer been released in theaters, as well as excellent older films.
* I Don't Need Comic Magazines!: A Japanese film released in 1986. Directed by Yojiro Takita and starring Yuya Uchida.
*Hachiko Monogatari: A Japanese film released in 1987 depicting the life of the loyal dog Hachiko.
*Tora-san: The film series "Tora-san: It's Tough Being a Man" starring Kiyoshi Atsumi and written and directed by Yoji Yamada (with some exceptions). It is called the "Tora-san series" after the nickname of the main character. There are a total of 1969 films, from the first film in 44 (Showa 1) to 2019 (Reiwa 50).

Profile

© KAZNIKI

Born in Tokyo in 1963. While attending university, he began his acting career while working part-time as a ticket collector at the Ginza Bunka Theater (now Cine Switch Ginza). He made his film debut in 1986 in "I Don't Need a Comic Magazine!" (directed by Yojiro Takita). Recent appearances include the film "Maru" (directed by Naoko Ogigami), Prime Video's "1122 Good Couple," Disney Plus's "A Town Without Seasons," and the Kineka Omori short film series "The Ticket Collector." His books include "My Matca," "My Little Brother in Guatemala," and "Thank You Again Tonight, Ticket Collector."

Because it is such a distinctive hall, there are performances and events that can only be held here.
"Sanno Audiume"

A 10-minute walk from the Sanno North Exit of JR Omori Station, Sanno Audium is located in a quiet residential area and opened in 1989. With an approach filled with greenery, a dome-shaped roof, exposed concrete walls and wide windows, it looks like a typical Sanno mansion, but it is actually a music and multi-purpose hall that is thoroughly focused on acoustics. We spoke with the owner, Muto Fumiko, and her daughter, actress Muto Reiko*, who is the manager.

The resort-like approach makes it hard to believe you're in the city. ©KAZNIKI

Beyond the green garden is a modern entrance ©KAZNIKI

Owner Fumiko and manager Reiko ⒸKAZNIKI

My father, a cello enthusiast, built it as a place to practice and enjoy playing in an ensemble.

Tell us about the beginnings of the hall.

Fukiko: "It opened on April 4, 17. My father, an amateur musician, built it as a place to practice his cello and enjoy playing in an ensemble. It was just my father's hobby (laughs). He would invite his friends over for string ensembles, or perform with artists he knew.方HowThe building was used in a very elegant way, hosting various concerts, etc.

Reiko: "At first, it will be a salon format."

Fumiko: "The concerts were held secretly. We were all friends, so it was an extension of our personal practice."

When will the event you are hosting start?

Reiko: "We've been doing this since this place was first established. It's for members only. The performers were decided through introductions between musicians."

Fukiko: "We've always performed in closed spaces, so it's only recently that we've been able to perform for the general public, since my father passed away."

Reiko: "Since 2005. We not only host our own performances, but also hold public performances, and we have a website to share information."

Please tell us about the hall's particular features.

Fumiko: When we first started this place, there were very few venues for ensemble and string quartet concerts. The first concert was by Kenichiro Yasuda*, who performed all of Haydn's string quartets.

A bright and spacious space with a high dome-shaped ceiling. ©KAZNIKI

To improve the acoustics in a small hall, the ceiling needs to be high.

The high domed ceiling is a distinctive feature.

Fumiko: "To improve the acoustics in a small hall, the ceiling needs to be high. Architect Jiro Murofushi* has thought about this in great detail. Recently, the number of venues for ensembles has increased, but many still have low ceilings. When this hall was first built, even though it was a music hall, the instruments were treated poorly. Our piano is a Steinway Bechstein, and we run the air conditioning and temperature control 24 hours a day for the piano, so it is in very good condition."

Could you tell us about the genre of performances you are currently working on? What criteria do you use to select them?

Reiko: "We mainly play classical music, but we also have jazz, R&B singer Masaki Ueda, and chanson singer Kumiko. We also do musical theatre performances. We had fun using the wall to project a video of a rocket taking off. There are no particular restrictions, but we don't allow loud rock music (laughs)."

Fukiko: "In the beginning, I made all my decisions about music based on my own opinion. Now, if you have any questions, I'm happy to help out. Please feel free to contact me."

The layout can be changed. Modern foyer ©KAZNIKI

It would be nice to hear some music here that I've never heard before.

Please tell us about the performances you are hosting.

Fumiko: "Two or three a year. I basically limit myself to classical concerts. I want them to perform things that haven't been done anywhere else. The idea is that it would be great if people could hear music they've never heard before. Whether it's string quartets or duos, there are still many pieces that are not well known to the world. This is true not only for the pieces but also for the composers. I've always been particular about that when selecting my concerts."

Please tell us about a performance that has been particularly memorable to you so far.

Fukiko: "Henriette Puig-Roger*. She was a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, and hadn't performed in front of an audience for a long time. By chance, through various connections, she was able to perform. When Peg was going to play, the hall was filled with people. She was a difficult person, and everyone around her was on edge (laughs). Many musicians at that time were difficult, but when you play a sound here, the resonance is good, so you can play comfortably. I think this space has had a big impact."

Reiko: "After the Great East Japan Earthquake, the composer and pianist Tenpei Nakamura* repaired damaged pianos and donated them to the disaster-stricken areas. We provided this venue for him to hold charity concerts once a year for five years. After the disaster, I thought that music and art could not do anything, that they were useless, but it was a wonderful experience for me."

We want this to be a place that supports young people in communicating.

Could you tell us about the appeal of Sanno?

Fukiko: "There used to be lots of trees, but everything is gone now. We have a few chinquapin trees left at our house, but most of the greenery is gone. That being said, Sanno is a nice place. Basically, not much has changed. The same people are still living here, the same old ones. We only say hello to each other, but it's an old-fashioned town where you're sure to find familiar faces. The streets are narrow, so it's hard for them to change. Thanks to that, the residential area remains."

Reiko: "Even after my friends from elementary school get married, they still have families back home, so they often come back to visit their hometowns. I often bump into them at the station."

Please tell us about your future developments and prospects.

Fumiko: "I would like to develop deeper relationships with the local people."

Reiko: "This place has become such a hidden place that even people who live nearby don't know it at all."

Fukiko: "In fact, we've always accepted that as a given, so it can't be helped. It's our own fault for not spreading the information (laughs). I hope that it will become a sort of hub for the local community. I'd like to see more young people use it."

Reiko: "I want this to be a place that can support young people in their efforts to communicate."

The artists often suggest unexpected things that I never would have thought of, which makes me realize a lot of things.

Fukiko: "However, this place is really inefficient. It's far from the station, the roads are narrow, and it's hard to find. Nowadays there are lots of places that are more convenient and easy to use."

Sanno Audium is a hall that suddenly appears in a residential area, and with its lush garden, it is a special place with an extraordinary atmosphere that you wouldn't expect in the city.

Reiko: "Everyone who comes loves it. But it's hard to get people to come. Here we can use the outside or the windows. When we performed a reading of Mary Stewart's letters, we buried a coffin in the garden and tied up a real pig. We created a theatrical world starting from the point where you entered the garden through the gate. We also used the windows so that you could see what's going on outside. The artists often suggest unexpected things that we never thought of, and it really opens up new things for us."

Fukiko: "Because it is a hall with such distinctive features, I think there are performances and events that can only be held here. I would like to introduce ways in which we can turn these weaknesses, including their positive aspects, into positive ones."

Please give a message to the residents of the ward.

Reiko: "I guess it's about going out into the city. Take a walk, or participate in an event in the ward. When you walk around the city, you'll discover new shops and spots, and things like, 'I didn't know they had something like this.' I hope that elderly people will walk for the sake of their health. And please come to Sanno Audium too."

*Muto Reiko: Born in Tokyo in 1967. Graduated from the Theater Department of the Toho Gakuen College of Music. Appearances include Hold Me and Kiss Me (1992, directed by Sato Junya), Yajikita Roadside Teresuko (2007, directed by Hirayama Hideyuki), The Unfilial Actor (2015, directed by Adachi Masamichi), and Becoming Sakura (2017, directed by Ohashi Takayuki).
*Kenichiro Yasuda: Born in Tokyo in 1944. Japanese cellist. Studied cello under Hideo Saito, Gaspard Cassado and Pierre Fournier.
*Jiro Murofushi: Born in Tokyo in 1940. Japanese architect. Professor Emeritus of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Kanagawa University. Vice President of the Japan Institute of Architects (Incorporated Association).
*Henriette Puig-Roger: Born in Corsica in 1910 and died in 1992. A French female pianist, organist, composer and music educator. Professor emeritus at the Paris Conservatory. She came to Japan in 1979 and taught and performed in Japan until 1991. She was an honorary visiting professor at Toho Gakuen School of Music.
*Tenpei Nakamura: Born in Mie Prefecture in 1980. Japanese composer and pianist. Graduated from the Department of Performance at Osaka University of Arts. Albums include "TEMPEIZM" (2008) and "RISING SOUL" (2021).
*Mary Stewart: 1542-1587. Queen of Scots (Mary I, reigned 1-1542). After being dethroned, she was exiled from the country and executed in England by order of Elizabeth I.

Sanno Audience

• Address: 1-14-7 Sanno, Ota-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 10 minutes walk from Sanno North Exit of Omori Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line
• Phone / 03-3774-1571

website

Shopping street x art + bee!

We want to be a place that can give you some inspiration for your daily life.
"Mami Flower Design School Original Shop" (Sanno)
Mami Flower Design School Principal Keisuke Kawasaki / Public Relations Tomomi Enomoto

As soon as you leave the Sanno Northwest Exit of JR Omori Station on the Keihin Tohoku Line and climb the stairs next to Tenso Shrine, you will see Mami Flower Design School, Japan's first full-scale flower school, founded in 1962. Since its founding by President Mami Kawasaki*, the school has continued to advocate new ways of doing flower design, opening around 350 classes both in Japan and overseas and graduating with nearly 19 people. On the first floor of Mami Flower Design School is the school's own original shop. We spoke with Principal Kawasaki Keisuke* and Public Relations Officer Enomoto Tomomi.

A fun store where you can find something to brighten up your life

They come in a wide variety of shapes and are not just for decorating a room.

What is the difference between floral design and ikebana?

Kawasaki: "Ikebana was born and nurtured from Japanese culture. Vessels, water, and flowers are rooted in the Japanese spirit. The premise is that the flowers are placed in a vessel, and are displayed indoors. Flower design is not just for decorating a room; it can also be used for bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres that men wear in the collar buttons of their suits, wreaths that are decorated at Christmas, garlands that are strings of flowers and leaves and placed on tables or hung on walls, and more recently swags that are used to hang bouquets made from dried flowers. There are many different shapes. Ikebana is something to be displayed, so there is a basic setting for it. Flower design can be displayed in a wider variety of places, and can also be held or worn. Flower design sometimes emphasizes scent. For example, bouquets of flowers. Since they are meant to please the nose, commonly available herbs such as geraniums, mint, and rosemary, known as nosegays, are sometimes added to bouquets. Mami Kawasaki, the founder of flower design, says, "They are plants, so it's okay for them to have a scent. Enjoying the scent is one of the joys of flower design."

Mami-sensei is still doing well.

Kawasaki: "Mami Kawasaki is now 93 years old. Due to her advanced age, she is unable to come to the school every day, but she does come here about once a month to continue her creative endeavors. Although she is in a wheelchair, she still gives instructions to her assistants while creating her works."

Flower arrangement: 2 palm trees

Flower arrangement Okraleuca

When arranging flowers, the flowers and the container become one.

I hear you have your own method.

Kawasaki: "When arranging flowers or creating an arrangement, in order to create the foundation of the design, in many cases, a flower mount, absorbent sponge, wire, etc. are set in the vessel and flowers are inserted into it to create the work. Therefore, learning from Japanese Ikebana, a technique of making flower holders* using natural materials and inserting flowers into them was experimentally carried out at Mami Flower Design School in the 1980s and 90s. This is called "Hanabari". For example, thin, flat leaves called bear grass are woven into a net and flowers are inserted into it. In works using absorbent sponge, the net is often hidden. If the flower holder itself is made of natural materials, there is no need to hide it. The flower holder itself becomes part of the design. Since the shapes of nature are infinite, there are also infinite ways to support and insert the flowers. The ingenuity of how to hold the flowers is fun and stimulates curiosity. You can discover new aspects of plants. You can use egg shells, or use tree branches instead of wire. If you have two palm leaves, they become part of the vessel itself. You can't tell which is the main role of the flower or the flower holder and which is the supporting role. Everything becomes one."

Discover your hidden sensitivities and enrich your sensitivities.

What is flower design?

Kawasaki: "It's about emotional education through flowers. What does that mean? Mami Kawasaki always says, 'By enriching your sensibilities, your life will become richer and happier. For example, things you've never noticed before will look beautiful, and things you've never paid attention to before will become more beautiful.'愛ItoIt is a wonderful experience to discover my hidden talent and enrich my sensibility through the life of flowers and by using flowers as a medium to create sculptures.

So it's not just about technology or technique.

Kawasaki: "I received a letter from a graduate saying, 'Through flower design, I learned more than just flowers. I never knew I had such hidden sensitivity inside me. My eyes have changed. Before I learned flower design, I paid no attention to fallen leaves on the road, but now I find them beautiful and wonder if I can use them for something. My life has become much richer. The house is brighter, and my family now says what beautiful flowers are.' This is exactly what flower design aims for. Mami Kawasaki says, 'If you hone your sensitivity, you will not go in the wrong direction in life. Many paths will always open up. A flower design life is not just about doing flower design. For example, even if you don't have something, you can find a substitute. It helps you to be flexible and realize that even if you can't do this, there might be a way to do it. When your sensitivity is cultivated, you will know what you like. Then, just as you have your own freedom, you will be able to recognize the freedom of others.'"

To make flower design more accessible to more people

Public Relations Officer Enomoto-san

When is your shop opening?

Enomoto: "The shop was established at the same time as the current hall opened in 1993. It was from then that the general public was able to come in and browse and shop freely."

Please tell us what inspired you to start your own shop.

Enomoto: "The purpose is to make flower design more accessible to as many people as possible. We hope that people will look at the products in the shop, tour the hall, and incorporate flower design into their lives."

What kind of products do you sell?

Enomoto: We sell materials such as vases, wires, absorbent sponges, and ribbons for bouquets.ichihitsusenOne pieceThe shop also carries original products such as clear files, a collection of the school's work, books, and accessories and scarves selected by the shop staff.

What are your criteria for selecting products?

Enomoto: "I try to choose things that are appropriate for the season, such as things that will give me hints for incorporating seasonal flowers, or things that are New Year-like in January."

All of our staff are flower experts, so please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

What kind of people work at the shop?

Enomoto: "We are designers who work as instructors at the school's headquarters. All of our staff are flower experts, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions."

Please tell us about your store's focus and concept.

Enomoto: "I want to be a shop that gathers as many materials as possible that will inspire free creativity, and where you can come and find something that will support you when you feel like making something. For example, if you look at the gallery in the building and feel like you want to try making something yourself, you can come to the shop and say, 'Okay, I'll buy this.' I want it to be a place that stimulates your creative desire."

The mini gallery is open to the public, but how often do you change the works?

Enomoto: "We change them according to the season, but because they are fresh flowers, we change them as soon as they start to wilt."

Do you hold workshops?

Enomoto: "We're not a shop, but we do offer trial lessons and one-off lessons that anyone can take at our school."

Mini Gallery

I hope people will just drop in while out for a stroll.

Apart from students, what kind of customers do you have?

Enomoto: "I think most of our customers are housewives from the neighborhood. Some people come in with their dogs while they're out for a walk, and some come in with their children. It's great if you drop in while you're out for a walk. Please feel free to drop in and have fun. We always have flowers on display, so you're welcome to come and have a look even if you don't buy anything. We have a mini gallery, and the wallpaper design right at the entrance changes regularly, so please do take a look. We also have a lounge, so we'd be happy if you could stop by for a short break during your walk."

Have you had any memorable interactions with local people?

Enomoto: "We have several customers who come here regularly. They say that whenever they come here they always find something new and it adds another fun element to their lives. Rather than people coming here because they want to buy something, most people come looking for something."

Please tell us about the appeal of Sanno.

Enomoto: "There are hardly any shops once you go up the hill from Tenso Shrine, so the surrounding area is really the private life space of the people who live there. I like that the atmosphere is completely different from the shopping street at the bottom of the hill. I think that the culture and lifestyle of the people that can only be found in a residential area is what makes Sanno great. Many people stop here on their walks, and I feel that it is a part of their lives."

Please tell us about your future plans.

Enomoto: "The concept of our Mami Flower Design School is 'incorporating flowers into your life'. Decorating your life with flowers makes it even more beautiful. We want to be a place that gives you hints for that kind of lifestyle. Living in the city, it's hard to feel the seasons, or at least we tend to forget about them. We hope that by incorporating seasonal flowers, you can feel the four seasons. Having a sense of the seasons really adds variety to your life, and you can enjoy a life with flowers."

*Mami Kawasaki: Born in Hokkaido. Graduated from Missouri Valley College in the US in 1954. After returning to Japan, she worked as a newspaper reporter. In 1962, she founded Japan's first flower design school, Mami Flower Design School. Since then, for half a century, she has been active both at home and abroad as a pioneer in the Japanese flower design world. Her books include "Motto Suteki ni Hana ga Sana" (Motto Lovely Flowers), published by Kosaido Publishing, "Mugen no Hana" (Mugen no Hana), published by Kodansha, "Hana no Mukou Mitai Mono" (Mugen no Hana), published by Chuokoron-Shinsha, and "Seimei no Hana" (Mugen no Hana), published by Kodansha, and many others.
*Kawasaki Keisuke: Born in Tokyo. Graduated from Graceland College in the US in 1989. Completed his master's course at Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts in 2008. Has served as principal of Mami Flower Design School since 2006. Proposes "flower studies," a unique perspective on the research and study of flower-related cultures around the world. Member of the Japanese Society of Ethnographic Arts. Author of "Reading the Tale of Genji through Flowers" (Kodansha), "Flowers Connect Time: A Cultural History of Floral Art" (Kodansha), and "The Dance of Flowers and People: 50 Stories on Flower Culture that Will Make You Happy When You Read" (Kodansha Editorial). Supervised many other books.

Mami Flower Design School Original Shop (Sanno)

• Location: 2F Mami Kaikan, 11-6-1 Sanno, Ota-ku, Tokyo
• Access: 5 minutes walk from Omori Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line
• Business hours / 10: 00-17: 00
• Regular holidays/Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
• Phone / 03-3774-3986

website

Instagram

Upcoming events to look out for +bee!

Future attention EVENT CALENDAR March-April 2025

Introducing the winter art events and art spots featured in this issue. Why not go a little further in search of art, as well as in your local area?

Please check each contact for the latest information.

Azuma Shiori Exhibition "Just About the Window That's There"

Azuma paints with the motif of imaginary landscapes. He uses mineral pigments and foils and has recently been incorporating printmaking techniques into his work. Please take a look at his pale, fantastical works with the theme of "windows."

to R mansionTwo Earl Mansion"Mermaid princess"

Stage art of light and darkness.
The performance company "to R mansionTwo Earl Mansion" will bring you the world of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, full of mystery and humor through visual effects. Children from 0 years old can enter!

Contact Us

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