A 140-year-old traditional Japanese house! Discover your favorite contemporary artist.
A Stroll Through the Kanagawa Gallery
File.2 studiofujino
( Shino Yamamoto / Galerie Watts)
This time, we're taking a stroll towards Jinba Mountain, which straddles Sagamihara City in Kanagawa Prefecture and Hachioji City in Tokyo.
It was more of a short trip to enjoy a drive than a stroll. We got off the Chuo Expressway at the Sagamiko Interchange and encountered many people enjoying hiking along the way up the mountain. Jinba Mountain is apparently selected as one of the "100 Best Views of Mt. Fuji in the Kanto Region" and one of the "50 Scenic Spots of Kanagawa Prefecture."
As we drove further in, the layers of greenery became thicker, and as we enjoyed the phytoncides with the windows wide open, we drove on and discovered a lovely, long, old farmhouse nestled among the trees on the other side of the river.
"In such a remote mountain area!" Anyone unfamiliar with the area would be surprised to find a modern gallery here.
We passed through a gate that was once used as a stable, and arrived at Gallery Studio Fujino.
This is the gate as seen from the gallery side. The stables were apparently on the right.
The old wooden Japanese house evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of my grandfather's house. Sliding open the door, I stepped inside to find a cafe corner in the earthen floor area.
Gallery Studio Fujino is run by art director Yuko Higashikawa and her husband, woodworker and furniture maker Hitoshi Fujisaki.
She has been living here for 10 years, but before that, she lived in Milan for 7 years.
Higashikawa worked at the Italian design firm Cerri & Associati, handling design projects such as visualizing various brand images and designing exhibitions, while Fujisaki was involved in the production of custom-made furniture and the creation of works by designers, including the master Enzo Mari.
"I worked as a freelance woodworker, and in Italy, design, craftsmanship, and manufacturing are all independent and coexist in their own right, so it was an environment where it was easy to work as a freelancer. I was able to work on artists' projects, and decorating the interiors of private banks was also an interesting job."
The two could have continued living in Italy, but Fujisaki laughs, saying, "I couldn't really imagine myself permanently living in Italy in the future."
It's such a waste.
When he returned to Japan, he found it difficult to make furniture in Tokyo, so he was looking for a place in the suburbs when he came across this property, but apparently there was a raccoon living in the attic at first.
We spent two years restoring our 140-year-old house. It's so big that we're still working on it little by little.
The cafe table and simple blue sofa are original designs by Ms. Fujisaki. Next to them is a rattan chair by interior designer Isamu Kenmochi, whose work is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The framed artwork on the wall is made from used coffee filters! I was instantly captivated by this modern space, which was completely unexpected from the exterior.
Upon entering the shop, you'll find works by various artists, such as ceramics and decorative items, displayed everywhere, creating an exciting atmosphere that will make your eyes wander.
Simple beauty. A coexistence of subtle humor and coolness. Meticulous handiwork...you can feel the selections are typical of two people in the design world. Most of the furniture and fixtures were made by Fujisaki, and it is also possible to consult about custom-made furniture.
Further inside, there's a corner room that the landlord, now over 60, was given as a study room when he was a child. It's a truly 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 possess a dignified presence, including objects by young artist Shiho Hayashi that could be mistaken for stone, and objects by Guido de Zan, an artist Fujisaki worked with in Italy. Fujisaki's recent enjoyment of creating objects by carving textures into wood using tin also exuded true beauty. Small sculptures that can transform a space just by placing one in your home. I was deeply moved by how wonderful they are.
It's wonderful to discover new authors whose style I love.
Initially, the two of them only had their own studio and weren't particularly thinking about opening a gallery.
"But it looked a bit bare with just furniture, so I put in some pottery made by a friend, and gradually more and more things made by artisans came along. Then I thought, 'It would be a shame to have people come all this way and just send them home empty-handed,' so I decided to start a cafe (laughs)."
At the cafe, you can enjoy homemade cakes and paninis made by Ms. Higashikawa. The plates, which were originally created with antique details for a French event, have now become a signature piece of Ms. Fujisaki's work.
A gallery deep in the mountains.
A river flows through the garden. Enjoy a leisurely forest bath and immerse yourself in the works of contemporary artists.
Coming here seems to sharpen my senses.
Gallery Information
gallery studio fujino
768 Sanogawa, Midori-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture 252-0181
TEL: 080-5695-2424
*Gallery hours: 12:00 - 17:00
*Gallery opening hours are generally only Saturdays and Sundays each month. These may change when there are events.
(Please check beforehand as they may be closed. info@studiofujino.com)
*There is parking nearby.
"access"
▶︎Get off at Fujino Station on the JR Chuo Line. Take the Kanagawa Chuo Bus bound for Wada and get off at the last stop, then it's a 3-minute walk.
