{"id":1597,"date":"2013-01-07T10:00:34","date_gmt":"2013-01-07T01:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ginzaofficial.sakura.ne.jp\/?p=1597"},"modified":"2015-06-26T18:04:56","modified_gmt":"2015-06-26T09:04:56","slug":"%e9%ab%98%e6%a9%8b-%e7%b4%94x%e9%ab%98%e5%b6%8b-%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e5%ad%90-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/connective\/1597","title":{"rendered":"Yusuke Harada\u00d7Chisako Takashima"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I scrutinize pieces to determine if they are top class, without becoming bound by famous names.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
When was Sagamiya Fine Arts and Antiques founded?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
It was founded in 1947, so 2012 was our 65th anniversary. My grandfather founded it, making me the 3rd generation president.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
What kind of art pieces do you exhibit?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Mostly modern paintings from after the Meiji period. We also display jewelry, though our collection has shrunk quite a bit. My grandfather loved anything that was beautiful.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Do you yourself go to auctions to buy works of art?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Yes. I mostly go to auctions for people in the industry and compete on bids. I also make bids to purchase works of art in private collections or sometimes commission modern artists to make paintings, paying for the costs and the painting itself.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
If you add restoration, it\u2019s just like a music store! I am not particularly familiar with the art world, but the distribution system sounds very similar. Is there anything in particular you look out for when buying art?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Different galleries display different types of art. We only display pieces that are truly beautiful first rate products that are well done. Each artist produces many different pieces, but we will not display poorly done pieces even if they are done by someone very famous.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I\u2019m impressed! So you don\u2019t buy pieces only for the name. That is different from the music industry, where we buy a Stradivarius even if it is rotting (laughs). I guess it is important to have a good eye for discerning good art.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Yes. It is very important not to be swayed by brands. More than anything, I try to emphasize my personal feeling and intuition. Those pieces are the ones that really touch the hearts of visitors.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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The relaxed atmosphere of the gallery interior<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I hope to continue to grow alongside artists as we work together.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
You mentioned that you sometimes commission work to artists. Do you associate with them directly?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
My father and grandfather were personally associated with prominent artists like Seison Maeda and Ikuo Hirayama. This may also be a special feature of Sagamiya Fine Arts and Antiques. I doubt there are many galleries that actually meet with the artists personally. This probably shows how we value not only just selling paintings, but also conveying their true appeal.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I\u2019m sure you can make many discoveries by directly interacting with the artists.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Yes. We can learn the background behind a piece of art work, like the peculiarities of the artists or what stories they envisioned when creating the piece. That way we can convey to visitors interested in a certain piece its animated appeal that you cannot learn from books.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I\u2019m sure the piece would become even closer to your heart from hearing the background story. In addition to the elite artists, do you also help to develop young artists?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
I\u2019ve associated with young artists in the past, and hope to continue to actively support their development in the future as well. At our gallery, we display works by young artists on the first floor where they will be seen by passersby on the street.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
An opportunity for the works to be seen.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Exactly. It cannot be appreciated if they are not seen. I will also devote myself so that the artists we display gain a high reputation from being recognized by Sagamiya. While helping young artists gain a foothold in the market, I hope to continue to grow alongside them.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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We create opportunities for people to visit galleries more easily.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
It seems like there are tons of galleries in Ginza. How many are there exactly?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Including rental galleries, I think there are about 200.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That many! I didn\u2019t realize there were so many. Why are so many galleries concentrated in Ginza?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
I\u2019m sure it\u2019s because Ginza has always been the center of fashion and Tokyo, and brilliant works of art come together in brilliant places.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Even though it\u2019s a busy shopping and entertainment district, an air of tranquility also flows through Ginza.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
The reason we built Sagamiya in this spot on Suzuran-dori is because my grandfather strongly valued that tranquility. We built the gallery on a quiet street slightly more secluded in Ginza so that the noise would not interfere with visitors viewing the paintings.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
There is an air of elegance here. I feel nervous just stepping foot inside the door. Sagamita seems to have a high entry level, so it\u2019s hard to bring yourself to casually walk inside.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
That may be the case usually, but it becomes much easier to walk in during certain events. Every year, we hold Garonoyakai (night gallery tours) at the beginning of summer. In 2013 it will be held on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8. The event was started in 2004 with the concept of freely interacting with gallery owners and artists. Participating galleries hang special paper lanterns at their entrance to mark their participation.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That sounds interesting. Can first time gallery visitors buy works of art?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Certainly. We display some pieces that are only about 50,000 yen. During the Christmas season or the night tours, we suggest giving a special person a painting as a present.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Giving someone a painting! What a wonderful idea! I would love to take part in this event. I understand that you publish a magazine called Ginza Shiturai. What kind of magazine is it?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
This magazine was created by six galleries in Ginza that work together to increase the familiarity of art galleries that are thought to have a high entry level. Different galleries display pieces with slightly different auras. This magazine introduces the galleries and describes certain pieces we want to introduce along with photos.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
It is a really content-rich magazine, with gorgeous photos as well as interviews and restaurant descriptions. Where can we find it?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
You can get one at each of the galleries or at hotels that we have business with. They are available for anyone. You can also buy a catalog on the Internet(http:\/\/ginza-shiturai.com\/)<\/a>.
I am happy to say that they have a modest reputation.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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“ginza shiturai” published independently by galleries in ginza<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I always straighten up to keep myself as dignified as Ginza.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
What kind of place is Ginza to you?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Ginza has a certain high-class aura. Many dignified people and clean-cut people come here, so I also have to straighten myself up to speak with them. I always try to maintain a proper appearance and attitude.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I see. Because it\u2019s Ginza, you have to stand up straight for certain customers. As the gallery has a long history, has your gallery maintained associations with customers throughout generations?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Yes, we have continued associating with them in various ways. We have continued associating with families that have a variety of tastes, with previous generations preferring Japanese paintings and new generations preferring Western-style paintings. We sometimes receive requests to help sell or restore art pieces purchased by the older generation.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Personal preferences for arts differ greatly, so you associate with customers in various ways.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Exactly. Artistic preferences differ completely between individuals. For example, the same art piece is sometimes valued very differently in Japan and in other countries. This point is also very interesting. Japanese art rarely makes it to other countries.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Is that so? Do you mean that Japanese art is sealed off to the outside world?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
In a way, yes. Perhaps subtle Japanese nuances are not completely conveyed in other countries. But this is not always bad. You may have another chance to see pieces that go overseas at a major museum like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but otherwise, there is a good chance that you will never again see pieces from an artist you like once they leave Japan.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
If you put it that way, it is kind of nice that Japanese art stays in Japan.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
I think so. That said, I want to introduce more and more active young artists to countries outside of Japan.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Ginza galleries might start moving their activities abroad.<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
Yes, we want to introduce Japanese art from Ginza to the rest of the world.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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The next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
Harada<\/dt>\n
It\u2019s Lintaro Mizuhara, president of Ginza Seigetsudo. His family ran a famous French restaurant in Ginza from the post-war period until recently. They presently have a rental gallery and caf\u00e9 in Ginza and a restaurant in Shinjuku. I hope you will hear interesting stories about the history of the restaurant and the changes in Ginza over time.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Chisako Takashima<\/h4>\n

Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n

Chisako Takashima\u2019s official website<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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Yusuke Harada<\/h4>\n

President of Sagamiya Fine Arts and Antiques. He introduces mostly modern Japanese and Western-style art by artists ranging from great masters to emerging artists in a variety of exhibitions. He is on friendly terms with a wide array of artists. Numerous customers place their complete trust in his detailed assistance including consultations for commissioning works, appraisals and restorations.
\nAs a side activity, he also edits the \u201cGinza Shiturai\u201d magazine. His interests are art appreciation, tea ceremony, Kouta (Japanese ballads accompanied on the samisen), and skiing.<\/p>\n

Website for Sagamiya Fine Arts and Antiques<\/a>
\nWebsite for Ginza Shiturai<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

Writer: Mizuho Takahashi\u3000\u3000Interview location: Sagamiya Fine Arts and Antiques<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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