Stroll around the old Tokaido Fujisawa-juku and encounter ancient times and modern art
The former Tokaido Fujisawa-juku district is full of historic buildings and scenery. The ``Fujisawa Past and Present Machinaka Art Tour'' is being held again this year, with the aim of passing on tradition and culture to the future through contemporary art. Due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the planned invitation and exchange of overseas artists was postponed, but seven artists from nearby Japan participated in their place. ``Machinaka Art'' activities, which are set in the historical and cultural heritage of Fujisawa-juku, will continue without delay.
Fortunately, most of the venues are open spaces, such as outdoors. Why not go out for a while while taking precautions against infectious diseases?
* Click here for the report on “Fujisawa Konjaku Machinaka Art Tour 2019”!
The first place we visited was ``Sekiji Shoten Bread Kura Fudo/Ishigura''.
The space is a renovated grain storehouse that was built in 1886 and is a registered tangible cultural property of the country, and is currently open as a bakery. I entered the store and went up to the second floor where the exhibition was held.
Displayed in a space with exposed clay walls are two oil paintings and three-dimensional sculptures. The author, Miho Tsuboi, spent her student days in Fujisawa and says that even now, Fujisawa is ``like a garden.''
``Although the scenery in front of the station has changed a lot, I feel that the color of the sea and sky and the amount of greenery have remained the same.''
The title of the work is ``Nest,'' which consists of a cloth-covered object surrounded by thin balsa wood. It's an image of something being protected and growing.
``When I was a student, I often played around Enoshima, so I didn't pay much attention to the old road.When I walked around it again as an adult, I realized that these fine storehouses and old folk houses were still standing and were being put to good use. I feel like I've rediscovered the charm of Fujisawa.I feel very happy as I finish my work called "Nest" here, protected by the clay walls.I can enjoy freshly baked bread from the downstairs. It’s also nice to have a nice scent wafting through the air (lol).”
*The exhibition “Bread Storehouse Fudo” is open to the public only during business hours (8:00 to 15:00, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays).
Next, we visited ``Old Inamotoya Kimono Store.'' It was founded by a wealthy merchant in the late Edo period, but due to a fire in 1977 and deterioration, only two warehouses remain today. This time, the exhibition is being held at the storehouse, garden, and Emperor Meiji Memorial Monument located at the back.
Mizuki Yui is exhibiting her works inside the warehouse. The reason he chose this space for his exhibition seems to be related to the fact that he is originally from Kura-no-machi, Fukushima Prefecture.
``I like the idea of exhibiting works by utilizing historical buildings.This time, I created a work with the theme of ``time'' flowing through this old house and land, Exhibits will be held at two locations including the Emperor's Memorial Monument.
Inside the storehouse, there are tools left behind by the people who lived here.
“I would like to be able to create a work that condenses the feeling of human activity and includes their breathing.”
In order to capture the flow of time in this house and land, Mr. Yui requested the cooperation of the fifth generation head of the Inamoto family.
The students put their hands together as if scooping water, took a mold from the inside, poured resin (pine tar), and the heart-shaped object was completed. This shape was a surprise to Mr. Yui as well.
"When resin is condensed over a long period of time, it becomes amber. With that meaning in mind, I chose it as a material that represents time. I plan to make two of these and place them in the storehouse and on the hill behind the storehouse. Literally. I think it would be great if I could express a condensed version of time with the help of the head of the family."
In the garden of the former Inamotoya, works by Akira Harada are displayed.
The theme of the work is "Today's old house."
The design, which uses materials such as scrap wood from dismantling a house and intertwining them with electric wires, may be reminiscent of an old folk house with exposed wiring for installing new equipment. It is said to represent Fujisawa, where new buildings and historical buildings coexist.
Mr. Harada is an outdoor art specialist who has been running the ``Mori Lab '' in the forest next to Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia and Satoyama Garden for over 20 years. Although he was born in Fujisawa Honmachi and currently lives in nearby Samukawa, this is the first time he has participated in the Machinaka Art Tour due to the timing not being right.
``Fujisawa is a city that is constantly changing, which is surprising. Even so, hidden among the big buildings, there are still some old-fashioned landscapes that remain, so I hope people can take a leisurely stroll and notice that.''
We spoke with artist Naoaki Ito, representative of the Fujisawa Konjaku Machinaka Art Executive Committee.
``This is the 11th time we've held this event, and there are so many different things happening each time (lol).
Each venue is taking measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, such as disinfection, ventilation, and avoiding crowds, so when you go out, please be careful of your physical condition such as fever and cough, wear a mask, and maintain distance from other spectators. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are glad that we were able to hold the event."
``Although the planned visit of overseas artists to Japan did not happen, there are many experienced resident artists in Japan.What should we, artists, do in response to today's divisive trends? I would like to continue this small activity while carefully weaving such thoughts.”
In addition to the above, ``Fujisawa Modern and Past Machinaka Art Tour 2020 '' is also holding exhibitions at ``Arita House'' and ``Fujisawa City Fujisawa-shuku Koryukan.'' Why not enjoy a "short trip" where you can encounter contemporary art while thinking about the history of the area?
《Fujisawa Past and Present Machinaka Art Tour 2019》
[Exhibition opening dates] October 31st (Saturday), November 1st (Sunday), 7th (Saturday), 8th (Sunday), 14th (Saturday), 15th (Sunday), 21st (Saturday) , 22nd (Sunday), 23rd (Monday/Holiday)
[Time] 11:00 - 16:00
*Kanji Shoten Bread Kura Fudo is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding Mondays and Tuesdays during the exhibition period.
[Venue] Sekiji Shoten ( Bread Kura Fudo ) , Former Inamotoya Kimono Store, Arita Family, Fujisawa City Fujisawa-shuku Exchange Center
[Participating artists] ASADA , Naoaki Ito, Kaoru Sasaki, Miho Tsuboi, Akira Harada, Masayuki Fushimi, Mizuki Yui
