A stroll through the old Tokaido Fujisawa Post Town and encounter ancient times and contemporary art

The Fujisawa-juku district of the old Tokaido road is home to historic buildings and landscapes. The Fujisawa Past and Present Machinaka Art Tour, which aims to connect its traditions and culture to the future through contemporary art, is being held again this year. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned invitation and exchange of international artists has been postponed, but seven artists from the surrounding area have instead participated. The Machinaka Art activities, set among the historical and cultural heritage of Fujisawa-juku, will continue without interruption.
Fortunately, most of the venues are outdoors or in open spaces. Why not drop in and enjoy the event while taking proper precautions against infectious diseases?

The first place we visited was Sekiji Shoten Bread Store Fudo Stone Storehouse.
The space is a renovated grain storehouse that was built in 1886 and is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan, and is currently operating as a bakery. We entered the store and went up to the second floor where the exhibition is being held.

Two oil paintings and a three-dimensional sculpture are on display in a space with exposed earthen walls. The artist, Miho Tsuboi, spent her student days in Fujisawa and says that even now, Fujisawa "feels like a garden."

"The scenery in front of the station has changed a lot, but I feel that the colors of the sea and sky and the abundance of greenery remain the same."

The title of the work, which is an object wrapped in cloth and surrounded by thin balsa wood, is "Nest," and it evokes the image of something being protected and growing.

"When I was a student, I often hung out around Enoshima, so I didn't pay much attention to the old highway. But walking around it again as an adult, I felt like I had rediscovered the charm of Fujisawa, seeing that these magnificent storehouses and old houses have been preserved and are still being used. Finishing my work "Nest" here, protected by the earthen walls, made me feel very happy. It's also nice to hear the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from the floor below (laughs)."

*The "Pan no Kura Fudo" exhibit is only open during business hours (8am-3pm, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays).

Next, we visited the Former Inamotoya Kimono Store. It was a wealthy merchant founded at the end of the Edo period, but due to a fire in 1977 and deterioration, only two storehouses remain today. This time, there are exhibits in the storehouse, garden, and the monument commemorating Emperor Meiji's visit to the storehouse behind it.

Mizuki Yui is exhibiting his works inside the storehouse. It seems likely that his choice of this space for the exhibition is not unrelated to the fact that he himself is from a town known for its storehouses in Fukushima Prefecture.

"I like the idea of utilizing historical buildings and other structures to exhibit my work. This time, I've created a work with the theme of the time that flows through this old house and its land, and will be exhibiting it in two locations: the storehouse and the hill behind it (the monument to Emperor Meiji's visit)."

Inside the storehouse are tools belonging to the people who have lived here.

"I hope to create a work that condenses the feeling of human activity and even the breath of life."

To capture the "time" that flows through this house and land, Yui asked the fifth-generation head of the Inamoto family for help.
We asked them to clasp their hands as if scooping water, took a mold of the inside of the hands, and poured resin (pine resin) into it, resulting in a heart-shaped object. Even Yui was surprised by this shape.

"When resin condenses over a long period of time, it turns into amber. With this in mind, I chose it as a material to express time. I plan to make two of these and place them in the storehouse and on the hill behind it. I hope to be able to express the condensed nature of time, literally with the help of the owner."

Works by Akira Harada are on display in the garden of the former Inamotoya.
The theme of the work is "Old Houses of Today."

The design, which uses materials such as scrap wood left over from demolishing houses and entangles electrical wires, is reminiscent of an old house with exposed wiring for installing new equipment. It is said to represent Fujisawa, where new buildings and historical structures coexist.

Harada is an outdoor art specialist who has been running "Mori Lab " activities in the forest next to Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia and Satoyama Garden for over 20 years. He was born in Fujisawa Honmachi and currently lives in the nearby Samukawa area, but due to lack of time, this will be his first time participating in the "Machinaka Art Tour."

"The city of Fujisawa is changing so rapidly that it's surprising. However, hidden among the large buildings, there are still traces of the old scenery that remain, so I hope people will take a leisurely stroll and notice them."

We spoke with artist Naoaki Ito, representative of the Fujisawa Past and Present Machinaka Art Executive Committee.

"This will be the 11th time we've held this event, and there's always something really special happening (laughs).
Each venue is taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as disinfecting, ventilating, and avoiding crowded areas, so if you do go out, please be careful of your health, such as not having a fever or cough, and please wear a mask and maintain a distance from other spectators. We apologize for the inconvenience, but first and foremost we are pleased that we were able to hold the event."

"Although the planned visit of foreign artists did not come to Japan, there are many experienced resident artists in Japan. I believe that there is something we artists can do to combat today's climate of fueling division. I would like to continue this modest activity, carefully weaving together this thought."

 

In addition to the above, the Fujisawa Past and Present Downtown Art Tour 2020 will also be holding exhibitions at the Arita House and Fujisawa City Fujisawa Inn Community Center. Why not enjoy a short trip to encounter contemporary art while reflecting on the history of the region?

"Fujisawa Past and Present Downtown Art Tour 2019"
[Exhibition open days] October 31st (Sat), November 1st (Sun), 7th (Sat), 8th (Sun), 14th (Sat), 15th (Sun), 21st (Sat), 22nd (Sun), 23rd (Mon, national holiday)
[Time] 11:00 - 16:00
*Sekiji Shoten Bread Kura Fudo is open from 8am to 3pm except on Mondays and Tuesdays during the event.
[Venue] Sekiji Shoten ( Pan no Kura Fudo ) , Former Inamotoya Kimono Store, Arita House, Fujisawa City Fujisawa Inn Exchange Center
[Participating Artists] ASADA , Naoaki Ito, Kaoru Sasaki, Miho Tsuboi, Akira Harada, Masayuki Fushimi, Mizuki Yui