A series of connections

Last week, the two-week Utsushiki Seventh Anniversary Utsuroi Exhibition came to a close.

We are truly grateful to all of you for helping us reach our seventh year.

When the exhibition ended, it seemed like everyday life had returned, but the place was definitely different from before, and we were able to learn and gain more experiences.

We have held many events over the past seven years, but this time the exhibition expanded on the individual plans of the staff who make up Utsushiki, led by Boss.

This was a valuable opportunity for us to take a new step forward, with many firsts.

This was Oda Yudai's first photo exhibition, having continued to photograph the creators involved in Utsushiki, and the exhibition felt like a collaborative effort with the dear people who have accompanied him on this journey up to now.

On the final day, the event was forced to close a day early due to a typhoon, but after it passed, the season changed completely and scale-like clouds were painted freely in the sky.

There is no boundary between inside and outside, and not only the items displayed inside the store but also the scenery outside become part of the background.

Although the photographs and the mineral ornaments are the same thing, they are influenced by the ever-changing scenery, and their appearance changes constantly.

With such scenery nearby, you are reminded that even this present moment will not be the same from one moment to the next, and that things are constantly changing.

I planned this one-day florist experience myself.

This was the first time the event had been held in three years, but unfortunately we had to open on an irregular schedule due to a direct typhoon.

Thank you so much to everyone who came despite the bad weather, who changed their plans to make time for us, and to everyone who sent kind words.

One of the customers who reserved a plant bouquet was someone I met before I became a part of Utsushiki.

It all started when I attended an Ayurveda workshop held by Saori Tashiro at Utsushiki.

It's a rare day when snow falls in Fukuoka.

In the cold, tense air, the assembled members huddled together and listened to Tashiro's wisdom, clearing their senses.

Even though it was a long, long time ago, it remains dear to my heart and I still remember it vividly.

After that, I became involved as a staff member and had many connections with customers. With various feelings in mind, I would arrange plants in bouquets, feeling like writing a letter to each person.

When I received it, she told me what first brought her to Utsushiki.

When Utsushiki had just started, the boss, Yasuhide Ono, was attracted by a video he had filmed of himself making accessories and decided he wanted to visit the place.

The person who created that video was Oda-kun.

Although the video introduction has changed form and evolved, it is something that has been continued steadily since the opening.
I was reminded that their presence and the things they made were one of the elements that created someone's time, and a joy ran through my body.

Now that I think about it, the reason I mustered up the courage to go to Utsushiki was because Arisa Kawai, who organized the concert, was involved.

And it was through a wonderful woman who happened to stop by a solo exhibition I held when I was a student that I met Arisa...

When I think back, many irreplaceable points come to mind.

I think everyone has that.

People who come because of Ota Miho end up meeting many of the artists that we introduce.

This person was fascinated by TANE's world, which he encountered at an exhibition by Ono Tomohiro of Yamaka Design Studio, and has visited the Oita store many times.

As you enter through the small entrance, you can see that the shop has nurtured connections with many wonderful creators.

I am filled with gratitude that Utsushiki exists as a single point among the endless lines that each of us draws.

"Healthy," which was made possible through a series of connections, is scheduled to be held again next year in a different season.

Each of them will come together at a different time and accomplish something.

I'm excited to think that something like this could happen in the near future.

You can see the lingering memories of the seventh anniversary event in Oda's video.

Please look forward to future updates.

Since the beginning of next month, the well-known Kagetsubi autumn/winter hat exhibition is waiting for you.

There are many artists that we would like to continue introducing in the future.

I hope we can continue to walk together with you all in our eighth year.

We look forward to your continued support.

So, have a perfect day today.