The Beginning

Happy New Year!
How did you all spend your New Year holidays?
As for me, those few days felt like a continuum of life, with work at sea ending and work at sea beginning, and nothing ending or beginning yet.
However, when I hear the sound of the bell tolling repeatedly in the cold darkness, I am enveloped in a sense of freshness that I do not know where it comes from, as if to tell me that a new year is beginning.
Well, last year a variety of scenery unfolded at Utsushiki.
I can vividly picture in my mind the faces of everyone who shared that once-in-a-lifetime joy with me.
On a more personal note, I have secretly joined the Utsushiki Circle for two years now.
As the new year approaches, I am able to reflect on the months that have passed since I joined the group as a hidden "helper."
Under the tutelage of his boss Ono, who builds a ship that sails through oceans with no route and steers it himself, he is unable to be of much help, but his strong desire to "be useful in any way I can" remains strong.
Starting in December, I will be in charge of the interview section of the " Dialogue " section of the Utsushiki website, and from now on I will be listening to the stories of the creators of things that have a connection to Utsushiki.
The first interview was with Mr. and Mrs. Ota from "TANE" in Beppu, who hosted a dinner party for me at the Ono Tomohiro exhibition in December.
[Interview Article -TANE Part 1-]
![Dialogue - TANE [First Part] -](https://utusiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/image1-336x240.jpeg)
[Interview Article -TANE Part 2-]
![Dialogue - TANE [Part 2] -](https://utusiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/LINE_ALBUM_tane_%E9%A3%9F%E4%BA%8B%E4%BC%9A%EF%BC%88%E5%8F%96%E6%9D%90%E9%A2%A8%E6%99%AF%E5%90%AB%E3%82%80%EF%BC%89_211209_5-336x240.jpg)
Next time, we plan to hear from Chikuni in conjunction with the Chikuni exhibition, which finally begins on Saturday the 22nd of this month.
Chikuni's lights have long been an indispensable part of my daily life, so I can't contain my excitement to see what kind of works will be on display at this exhibition!
In addition, on the first Saturday and Sunday of the exhibition, the 22nd (Sat) and 23rd (Sun), there will be a learning opportunity hosted by musician Miho Ota, who is a friend of Chikuni.
To coincide with the learning environment, you can also enjoy a course meal prepared by botanical chef Kimie Noda Yuko.
This was the first time I had the opportunity to dine with Noda-san through Miho, and I was also able to enjoy Miho's powerful and beautiful voice.
It will be an irreplaceable experience not just to receive these lessons, but to create them using your own voice and body.
Miho will also be performing on Saturday the 22nd. The stage lighting will be provided by Chikuni!
We hope you will all join us for a bright and successful start to 2022.
Starting Thursday, January 5th, we look forward to opening the door to beautiful encounters and a new world for you.
We hope you enjoy our Utsushiki this year as well.
Noserumi
Event details
<Miho Ota Concert>
Start time 18:30
Price: ¥4,000
How to make a reservation: Please send your name, number of people, and contact information to info@utusiki.com
<Places of learning>
Singing Gregorian Chant
1/22 (Sat) 6 adults
10:30 ~ 3 hours (including meals)
Participation fee: 13,500 yen (including course meal)
※After the transfer, we will inform you. Location: Utsushiki Cafe What to bring: Writing equipment Dress code: Warm clothes, drink
○ "Chorus"
January 23rd (Sunday) Approximately 10 children Siblings are also welcome to participate
10:30 ~ 3 hours (including meals)
⚠️Participants must be accompanied by a guardian. ⚠️Guardians will be spectators. Participation fee: Children 2,500 yen (meal included)
Adult (guardian) 4,500 yen (for plate lunch)
※Notification after payment is received
Location: Utsushiki store, coffee shopWhat to bring: writing equipmentClothing: dress warmly and bring a drink⚠️We will be wearing white clothing during the presentation, so we would appreciate it if you could wear white clothing⚠️We will be taking photos of the learning environment.
How to apply: If you would like to participate, please send us a DM on Instagram @__kaoriono__ with the following information:
(1) Name
(2) Number of people *Please also state the age of children
(3) A phone number where you can be contacted on the day
(4) Preferred date of participation *Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
We will respond to you within 3 days.
*Please note that if you cancel, the following cancellation fees will apply.
Cancellation fee: 2 days before - on the day: 100%