8/11/2025 Motomy
One day in June, I visited a photo exhibition held by a regular customer who works as a company employee, at a shop in Asagaya.
That shop was opened by a young, refreshing, and genuinely nice man back in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s now approaching its fifth anniversary. The interior, designed with the owner’s meticulous taste, has a retro atmosphere that gives the place a warm and nostalgic charm.
But let’s get back to the main story.
The regular customer who held the exhibition did so at the owner’s second shop — a shared bookstore called Aoi Komado(“The Blue Little Window”), which is also located in Asagaya. She held her solo exhibition there for two days, and it was a great success, attracting many visitors — from fellow regulars like myself to even hair stylists and others from different walks of life.
She told me that photography had long been her hobby. The displayed works were mainly landscapes. But it wasn’t just a simple display — it was an interactive exhibition. Visitors could look at the photos through small windows cut into handmade boxes, illuminated by tiny lights inside. And, symbolizing her wish to take flight toward a new version of herself, she created one hundred handmade butterflies. The creativity and thought behind it were truly remarkable.
When I spoke with her, she told me that she had spent more than half a year preparing and had been planning it for over a year. She had long wanted to hold a solo exhibition, but it took time to find the ideal venue — until she discovered the shared bookstore.
I could deeply relate to her story. I myself held my first solo art exhibition from April to May, lasting about three weeks while balancing it with my day job. My preparation took eight months, so I know well how challenging it can be — the emotional ups and downs that come with it.
About a week before her exhibition, she asked me if I could help paint the butterflies. Of course, I immediately said yes. From my own experience, I’ve learned that it’s best to rely on others when something feels overwhelming. She told me she still hadn’t finished preparing, and I said, “You still have a whole week — it’ll be fine. Let’s just keep doing what we can until the end.”
When I finally saw her exhibition, I was deeply moved and inspired. It was truly wonderful.
Once again, congratulations on your first solo exhibition.
(原文)
６月某日、阿佐ヶ谷のお店で会社員をしてる常連さんの写真の個展に行った。そこのお店は若い爽やかな好青年が２０２０年コロナ禍で営業を始め、もうすぐ５周年である。そこのお店はその好青年の店長がこだわりぬいた内装でレトロな店内である。さて話を戻そう。
個展を開いた常連さんはそこの好青年の店長が開いた２店舗目「青い小窓」というシェア型書店で個展を開催した。そのお店も阿佐ヶ谷にある。個展を開いた常連さんはそこのお店で個展を２日間開催していた。２日間で多くの来場者があり、大盛況であった。私と同じくお店の常連さんから美容師さんまで幅広く来ていた。彼女は趣味でカメラを使い写真を撮っていたそう。飾ってある写真は風景画が主だった。ただ飾っているだけでなく、参加型の個展だった。それは手作りの箱で箱に開いてる窓から写真を覗く。そこにはライトが仕掛けてられていた。また、新たな自分に羽ばたくという意味で手作りの蝶が１００匹。創意工夫が凝られていた。彼女に話を聞くと準備は半年以上、構想は１年以上前からである。個展をやろうと思っていたが、理想の会場に出会えなく、良いと思ったのがシェア型書店だったという。私も仕事と両立しながら絵の初個展を４月から５月まで約三週間やり、準備期間は８ヶ月なので、どれだけ大変だったか、またメンタルの波の上下があったか共感できる。個展開催の一週間前に個展を開催する彼女から蝶の色塗りを手伝って欲しいと相談を受けた。もちろん、二つ返事である。できないことは周りに頼るのが一番と私は個展で経験をしてるから。彼女はまだ準備が終わらないと言っていた。私は「あと一週間もあるから大丈夫。最後までやることやろう」と。私が彼女の個展を拝見した感想として、とても素晴らしく、刺激を受けた。改めて、初個展おめでとうございます。