Kanagawa Gallery Stroll
File.2 studiofujino
( Shino Yamamoto/Galerie Watts)
This time we will take a walk in the direction of Mt. Jinba, which straddles Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture and Hachioji City, Tokyo.
Rather than a stroll, it's a short trip where you can enjoy a drive. I got off at the Sagamiko Interchange on the Chuo Expressway, and on my way up the mountain, I encountered quite a few people enjoying mountain climbing. Jinbayama has been selected as one of the ``100 Views of Fuji in Kanto'' and ``50 Scenic Spots in Kanagawa.''
The deeper we go, the thicker the layer of greenery becomes, and as we drive slowly with the windows fully open and enjoying the phytoncide, we discover a lovely oblong old folk house between the trees across the river.
People who don't know that there is a modern gallery deep in the mountains may be surprised.
We passed through a gate that was once used as a horse stable and arrived at gallery studio fujino.
This is the gate seen from the gallery side. Apparently the horse stable was on the right.
Old wooden Japanese houses are nostalgic and remind me of my grandpa's house. When you open the sliding door and enter, you will find a cafe corner on the dirt floor.
The owners of gallery studio fujino are Yuko Higashikawa, an art director, and Hitoshi Fujisaki, a wood furniture craftsman.
He has lived here for 10 years, but before that he lived in Milan for 7 years.
Mr. Higashikawa works at the Italian design firm cerri&associati, where he works on various designs such as visualizing brand images and designing exhibitions, while Mr. Fujisaki is involved in the production of custom furniture and works for designers such as master designer Enzo Mari. I did.
``I was working as a freelance woodworker, but in Italy, designers, craftsmen, and manufacturers are all independent and segregated, so it was an easy environment to work as a freelancer. I was also involved in the decoration of the private bank, which was an interesting job."
The two could have continued living in Italy, but Fujisaki laughs and says, ``I couldn't really imagine living there permanently in the future.''
It's kind of a waste.
Upon returning to Japan, it was difficult to make furniture in Tokyo, so he was looking for a suburb and came across this property.At first, there was a raccoon living in the attic.
It took two years to restore the 140-year-old house. It's too wide, so I'm still adding to it little by little.
The cafe table and simple blue sofa are Fujisaki's originals. Next to it is a rattan chair by interior designer Isamu Kenmochi, which is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The framed art on the wall is made of used coffee filters! I was suddenly captivated by the modern space that I couldn't have imagined from the exterior.
Now, when I entered the store, I was so excited to see the works of artists such as pottery and decorations placed everywhere.
Simple beauty. The coexistence of a chuckle and coolness. Detailed handwork...I feel the selection is typical of two people in the design world. Most of the furniture and fixtures are made by Mr. Fujisaki, and you can also consult about custom-made furniture.
Further inside, there is a corner room that the landlord, who is over 60 years old, had given him as a study room when he was a child.It is a luxurious space that takes in the beautiful scenery. Higashikawa and his team have turned it into a contemporary art gallery space.
The works gathered here have a dignified presence, including objects by young artist Shiho Hayashi that can be mistaken for stones, and objects by Guido de Zan, an artist with whom Fujisaki worked in Italy. The objects that Mr. Fujisaki has recently been enjoying making, made of tin to give expression to wood, were truly beautiful. A small sculpture that changes the space just by placing it in your home. It's really good, I'm relieved.
I'm very happy to be able to meet new authors whose tastes I like.
At first, the two of them only had their own atelier and didn't really have a gallery in mind.
"However, it was a bare scene with only furniture, so I put in some of my friends' ceramic works, and little by little the pieces by the creators started to increase, and now I'm thinking, ``I'm sorry to have to send people home after coming from such a far place.'' So I decided to start a cafe (lol).”
At the cafe, you can enjoy Higashikawa's homemade cakes and paninis. The plate, which was first made with antique details for a French event, has now become Fujisaki's signature work.
A gallery deep in the mountains.
There is also a river running down the garden. Enjoy a relaxing forest bath and take your time to explore the works of contemporary artists.
When I come here, my sensibilities seem to become sharper.
《Gallery information》
gallery studio fujino
768 Sanogawa, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture 252-0181
TEL:080-5695-2424
*Opening hours: 12:00-17:00
*The gallery is basically open only on Saturdays and Sundays of every month. Changes when there is an event
(Please check as it may be closed at times. info@studiofujino.com)
*Parking is available nearby
"access"
▶︎Get off at Fujino Station on the JR Chuo Line. Get off at the final stop of the Kanachu bus bound for Wada, then walk for 3 minutes.
