Kiyoko Matsuoka is the deputy director of Itabashi Art Museum. Because of her job, Ms. Matsuoka has a lot of interaction with domestic and international artists, and without hesitation she navigated to MUJI Ginza, saying, ``Right now, when I think of 2019pm in Ginza, this is the place.'' Opened on Ginza Namiki-dori in April XNUMX as a world flagship store. It has become a new spot in Ginza that is attracting attention from all over the world. Kiyoko Matsuoka's Ginza, where she walks casually down the tree-lined streets at dusk in chic and sophisticated attire, is a nostalgic, yet always new, familiar neighborhood.
My job is to convey the charm of picture books.
Connect with MUJI BOOKS
Since working at Itabashi Museum of Art in 1986, Mr. Matsuoka has been involved in planning and managing various exhibitions, conducting research, and collecting works as a curator. Because of her job, she travels a lot both domestically and internationally, and on this particular night, she had just returned from Shanghai the day before. In Shanghai, she served as a judge for a picture book competition.
The Itabashi Museum of Art is well known for holding exhibitions that widely introduce Edo culture and Ikebukuro Montparnasse, which has been gaining attention in recent years, as well as holding the International Picture Book Original Art Exhibition in Bologna, Italy, in Japan. Mr. Matsuoka has been in charge of this picture book original art exhibition for nearly 30 years.
In June of this year, an event related to the Bologna Children's Book Fair was held at MUJI BOOKS on the 4th floor of MUJI Ginza, and Mr. Matsuoka also appeared on stage as a guest speaker. Many of the books from India's Tara Books, which I was familiar with through the exhibition, are also on display, and this bookstore has a deep connection with Mr. Matsuoka.
Photo left: Many picture books and books that he has been involved with in his work are lined up, and he picks them up with fond eyes. Photo right A corner with books and works by Tara Books, an Indian publisher specializing in children's books. This fall, MUJI BOOKS held an India fair, where events and workshops related to crafts were held.
``MUJI Ginza'' has food, clothing, shelter, and culture scattered all over the 6th floor, creating a space that stimulates creativity and sensibility for a wide range of generations. The 6th floor, named ATELIER MUJI, has a library and lounge, and this is also Mr. Matsuoka's favorite space. The library is lined with books that have been selected from a unique perspective, including crafts, architecture, art, picture books, and photo books, and can be read freely. There are many picture books and books by authors that Matsuoka is familiar with or close to through his work.
The bookshelf of ATELIER MUJI on the 6th floor also has many picture books by artists with whom Mr. Matsuoka has worked.
In the "library" space on the 26th floor. The "Salon" facing the library has a counter and tables where you can enjoy tea and cocktails until XNUMX:XNUMX. MUJI Ginza has spaces with different functions that are gently connected both vertically and horizontally, creating an attractive space.
The interior design and fixtures are design-conscious and look impressive, and the texture of the walls and floors resonates comfortably with the sensibilities.
A city packed with sophistication,
Memories of Ginza
Born in Tokyo, Matsuoka has been familiar with Ginza since childhood. He often shops for clothes and other items at department stores in Nihonbashi. On the way home, he ate at Ginza and had cake at Fujiya. He also chose the Imperial Hotel for his wedding reception. ``My mother is a fashionable person, and when I was a teenager, she took me to Hanae Mori's haute couture show at a boutique in Ginza.After working at an art museum, I frequently visited galleries from Kyobashi to Ginza.'' I went to see contemporary artists. Ginza is a city that is packed with sophistication. Even though the surface may change with the times, I feel that the essence remains the same."
A rare book displayed on the brick wall of ATELIER MUJI on the 6th floor.
Itabashi to Italy
meet again
Matsuoka's mother was good at English and loved traveling, and she took him to Italy when he was in high school. Because of this, I became interested in Italy and studied Italian art history. During his university days, he traveled around Europe, mainly Italy, backpacking style for two months. In his second year at the Itabashi Museum of Art, he happened to be in charge of the Bologna International Picture Book Original Art Exhibition, and says he felt as if ``Italy had returned.'' ``I have a lot of fun every day and find joy in my work.If I'm not having fun, I won't be able to convey that to the people who visit the museum,'' she says, expressing how much she enjoys her fulfilling work.
“I am convinced that museums are absolutely necessary in the future world and will become increasingly important devices.In order to survive in the future society, it is important to have a heart that accepts diversity.I feel that it will be difficult to live if we are not all the same. In Japanese society, museums are places where you can naturally learn that everyone is different. It's natural that everyone is different, and museums are places where you can honestly feel and enjoy that." So I try to do whatever I can and go anywhere and meet anyone. His thoughts and words were clear, unwavering, and resonant.
of having a place to do something
happiness
``I enjoy my work, so my hobbies are the same as my work.I think there are many curators like that.'' Every day, I complete my work by making full use of my intelligence, sensitivity, ability to take action, and negotiation skills. She loves cooking so much that she loses track of time when she's cooking. She is good at Italian cooking and often invites friends over for dinner. She also likes cleaning because she feels comfortable living a tidy life. Her sensibilities have been refined through her lifestyle, and she is likely entertaining many people with her various exhibitions. "I do what I need to do every day, and from there I take the next step. I feel very lucky to have been given a place where I can do something." On a night in Ginza, I saw the satisfied and calm smile of a person who has achieved so much with his passion, presented it to the world and entertained it.
Each bookshelf has a classic chair, perfect for relaxing and looking at books. Here too, he finds books by picture book authors he has worked with and picks them up.
Matsuoka Kiyoko
Itabashi Art Museum Deputy Director
Born in Tokyo. She graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design, Faculty of Art. After graduating from Chiba University's Graduate School of Education, majoring in art education, she worked as a curator at Itabashi Art Museum in 1986. Since 1989, she has been in charge of the ``Bologna, Italy International Picture Book Original Art Exhibition'' and has been working on nurturing picture book artists. Focusing on the potential of her picture books as art exhibitions, she has held numerous exhibitions featuring all aspects of famous picture book authors such as Leo Lionni, Tomi Ungerer, Bruno Munari, Yasuo Segawa, and Mitsumasa Yasuno.
◆Itabashi Art Museum
It opened in May 54 as the first ward art museum in Tokyo's 1979 wards. A major renovation was carried out in 23, marking the 40th anniversary of the museum's opening. The collection mainly includes early modern paintings such as those of the Edo Kano school, avant-garde art from the Taisho period to the early Showa period, and works by artists associated with Itabashi Ward. It holds exhibitions that broadly introduce Edo culture and Ikebukuro Montparnasse, as well as exhibitions related to picture books and design, including the Bologna, Italy International Picture Book Original Art Exhibition.
5-34-27 Akatsuka, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
03-3979-3251
9:30-17:00 (Entry until 16:30) Mondays (the following day if Monday is a holiday), during exhibition changes, year-end and New Year holidays
http://www.itabashiartmuseum.jp/
“Little Tree” One Stroke 2008
◆“Small Design Katsumi Komagata Exhibition” currently being held
Katsumi Komagata (born 1953) is a bookmaker/designer known for picture books such as "Little Eyes" and "Little Tree." He moved to the United States where he spent his early career working under Kazumasa Nagai at the Nippon Design Center. After returning to Japan, he designed record jackets, invitations and tags for fashion brands such as Comme des Garçons. After his first daughter was born, he began creating picture books, which attracted attention as a new type of picture book. This is the first exhibition to trace the artist's footsteps from his early days to the present with approximately 300 works, from experimental prototypes from his time in the United States, to his work in music and fashion, to sketches that illustrate the process of producing picture books. Workshops will also be held, so be sure to check the official website. Until January 2020, 13 (Monday/Holiday).
◆MUJI Ginza
A world flagship store located in Ginza, Tokyo. There is a dining room on the first basement floor, food on the first floor, clothing, miscellaneous goods, and living goods on the second to fifth floors, and a wide range of services such as custom embroidery, scented products, and renovation consultations. We are thinking about the people involved in this store, including visitors from all over the world, people who work and live in the Ginza area, and the producers who create the products sold here. aim. From Ginza, we will spread the message of ``a comfortable life'' to the world. The 10th to XNUMXth floors are MUJI HOTEL, making its debut in Japan.
MUJI BOOKS
Located on the 10th floor, there are original paperbacks and books on themes such as ``cooking and the body'' and ``walking and tidying up.'' We also hold talk events inviting people involved in books, a used book fair, and bookbinding workshops. 00:21～00:XNUMX
ATELIER MUJI
Located on the 6th floor, there are two galleries, a salon (cafe and bar), a library, a lounge, a shop, and a salon (cafe and bar).
Salon business hours are 10:00-26:00 (LO 25:00)
3-3-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
03-3538-1311
B7F: 30:22-00:10, 00st-21th floors: 00:XNUMX-XNUMX:XNUMX
Please check the website for details as it varies depending on the floor and corner.
https://shop.muji.com/jp/ginza/
Text by Misuzu Yamagishi
Lounge
Premium Salon
Tokyo, 7pm
Premium Salon
