As soon as we arrived and exchanged greetings, the exhibition setup began. Considering the next installation location and the time for the return to Shinkansen, we had to complete the installation in about one hour.

Upon entering the storehouse, Koike-san quickly surveyed the space, visualized the display, and began installing the artwork almost simultaneously with unpacking it.

Even when a neighbor came by to see what was happening, Koike-san continued working without pausing, chatting as he worked, and managed to complete the installation within the allotted time. After finishing the display, we were treated to delicious anko-filled rice cakes and tea, warmed by an oil stove, but without time to relax, we hurried on to the next exhibition location, “Cafe Yadorigi.”

Koike-san was like a tornado…

On the second day of our research trip, we started at “Tedono Kura” in Iwaizumi Town. We visited this place based on an introduction from the artist Hiroko Masuko.

At the shop “Teshigotoya,” works by local artisans from the town are displayed and sold. As we moved inside, we found “Tedono Kura,” a renovated former sake brewery, where old handcrafted tools were exhibited.

The shop owner, Ms. Kudo, showed great interest in Konoike’s art book. The “The Storytelling Table Runner project” particularly intrigued her, so we arranged to visit later for an exhibition.