I decided to participate in the ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima'' project after Mr. Haba approached me. When I became independent, we shared an office, so I've known Mr. Haba for a long time. We have had many opportunities to work together, and I think we understand each other's goals and sensibilities. We currently have separate offices and are both busy with activities, so we haven't had many opportunities to work together, but I feel it's really fun to be able to work together on this project.

For this project, I was in charge of planning original goods and designing staff uniforms. I don't think you would think of general libraries in Japan selling products, but it's not uncommon overseas. Enhancing product sales can become a source of income, helping public facilities become independent and sustainable. Now, I was thinking about what kind of shop I should do.
You can also find shops with select goods such as ``SOUVENIR FROM TOKYO'' in the National Art Center, Tokyo, where I work as a buyer, ``Tokyo's Tokyo'' in Haneda Airport, and ``21_21 DESIGN SIGHT SHOP.'' Taking advantage of the characteristics of Tadao Ando's architecture, you can also create and sell goods with motifs of Tadao Ando's buildings. However, there is the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library nearby, which also has attractive shops. We decided to make all original goods with an eye toward coexistence with and differentiation from neighboring facilities.

While I was searching for something like this, the art director, Mr. Ohara, came up with a logo design. The moment I saw it, I knew I wanted to use it. It's very cute and has a gentle impression that both children and adults can relate to. Mr. Ohara's company Bootleg was in charge of designing the original goods, and with Osaka in mind, we wanted to use manufacturers in the Kansai region as much as possible. Therefore, we asked Pine Co., Ltd., a company founded in Osaka that is famous for its pineapple candy, to produce ``green apple candy'' with a motif of a green apple object in the facility, and to KOKUYO, whose head office is in Osaka, which has been a long-selling product for over 60 years. I requested an original version of the product ``Survey Field Note''. In addition, hand towels are made by Shindo Towel in the Senshu area of ​​Osaka, which is a production area of ​​towels, and Sakura Crepas in Osaka makes hand towels, as well as the original package ``Coupy Pencil.'' We also asked Sanyo Paper Industries in Osaka to make ``picnic sheets,'' and Okayama's Kamoi Kakoshi to make mt's ``masking tape.''

The term "for children" feels trite, and what adults think of as "for children" does not give a positive image. Of course, we were conscious that children would use it, but we also thought it would be appealing to adults as well. There are many books on the bookshelf here that adults can also enjoy. Also, since the building was designed by Tadao Ando, ​​people of various generations from all over the world will come here, regardless of nationality or age, so the product is aimed at everyone, regardless of age or nationality. I was conscious of creating something original. We currently have 17 items, but we plan to continue developing more products in the future.

I'm not limited to just being a buyer, but I also work in a wide range of areas, including event planning, gallery direction, and ramen shop branding. If something is successful, we may receive an order for something similar to it, but it's no fun to repeat it. I also get tired of doing the same things... (lol)

Recently, we worked on a hotel with a new concept that combines the art storage of a gallery in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, called KAIKA TOKYO, which opened in March with lodging facilities. Normally, art works in storage are not seen by people, but this hotel's art storage is designed so that guests can enjoy viewing it. It's a space that benefits both guests and artists. In addition, the exhibition ``Tsubame Sanjo: Evolution and Differentiation of Metals'' held at Japan House in London three years ago was highly praised, and I am planning to direct an exhibition of woodworking in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture at the same location this fall. It's exciting to learn new things and get a glimpse of a world I don't know about at work, and I enjoy researching things. When I looked into it, I found it to be very deep and I'm addicted to it (lol).

→Next is Chiyo Maekawa (director).

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