Toru Fujiki×Chisako Takashima

2016.10.03

An interview series featuring Ginza people in conversation with violinist Chisako Takashima. With a special fondness for Ginza, which holds many memories both from her professional and private lives, Takashima explores Ginza from various dimensions with her guests.In this volume she welcomes Mr. Toru Fujiki, CEO of Ginza Cave Fujiki, a wine shop founded in the Meiji period.

Special sweets from well-established store in Ginza can be enjoye d at “Ginchakai”.

Takashima
Speaking of autumn in Ginza, I have been told that you play an important role in the town-wide “Ginchakai” event.

Fujiki
Yes. The event is celebrating its 15th year this year and I have been a part of it since its beginning. I have assumed a leadership role these past three years.

Takashima
What do you do at “Ginchakai”?

Fujiki
With Ginza-dori the main venue, all the streets in Ginza host nodate (open-air tea ceremony). The five major schools of tea ceremony and the Sencha school, which usually do not share a ceremony, come together for the event. A tea ceremony designed by architecture students is also held. The entire town is activated.

Takashima
It must receive many participants every year.

Fujiki
In recent years, we have enjoyed the participation of around 5,000 people. Some people come in their kimonos and we have more foreign tourists returning to their countries with photos that they took of the procedures for making tea.

Takashima
Do you have to book beforehand to participate?

Fujiki
No, visitors are welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Takashima
And yet you receive 5,000 participants! That is amazing.

Fujiki
We are very thankful. I am sure that our participants go home in satisfaction because they enjoy not only tea, but also sweets specially prepared for the occasion by well-established shops in Ginza.

Ginchakai: Ginza becomes the venue for an open-air tea ceremony

Ginza features team work through new discoveries based on old lessons

Takashima: How many years has it been since you first came to work in Ginza?
Fujiki: It has been almost 25 years.
Takashima: What do you think of Ginza today?
Fujiki: I have watched this town from my childhood and the town itself is constantly changing. On the other hand, returning to this town as an adult, I have realized that there are still many aspects that remind me of an old traditional neighborhood.
Takashima: Do you mean in terms of human networks?
Fujiki: Yes. I strongly feel that Ginza is defined by the people who support it. The infrastructure has indeed changed, but it is home to a fusion of newcomers and people who have been here for a long time. Our relationship is the kind where you tell your next door neighbor that he should take his laundry in because it has started to rain. It may be difficult to recognize from the outside, but the kind of teamwork that we would find in an old neighborhood still prevails and continues to be a feature of Ginza’s identity.
Takashima: Indeed, the network across business owners on commercial streets is particularly strong.
Fujiki: Yes. We don’t just gather amongst old members but are open to new perspectives that become the drivers of further evolution.
Takashima: It is wonderful that you are not exclusive.
Fujiki: That is true. That is why people working in Ginza love Ginza. I believe that our love for this town is what leads us to want to clean it up and treat visitors with kindness.

Chisako Takashima

Violinist. Takashima started taking violin lessons from the age of 6. After a successful career abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, where she currently performs in concerts across the country. Highly noted for her character in TV and radio appearances, she has currently opened up her career to more diverse fields with an unchanged focus on her profession

Chisako Takashima official website

Toru Fujiki

CEO of Ginza Cave Fujiki. Born in 1964, Fujiki joined Suntory after being graduated from Meiji University. He joined Fujiki Shuten Ltd. in 1992 and assumed the position of CEO in 2004. He opened Ginza Cave Fujiki in 2010. He enjoys spending time in his kitchen garden where he grows tomatoes and cucumbers on weekends. Last year he tried to make olive oil from home-grown olives.

Written by Hiroko Yoda; Place of interview: Ginza Cave Fujiki

Released! A new album by Chisako Takashima 12 Violinists: MUSE -12 Precious Harmony-

Chisako Takashima 12 Violinists have released their first album in four years: MUSE -12 Precious Harmony-.
This diverse album celebrates the 12 Violinists’ tenth year with many classical numbers.
With three original pieces, including “SPLASH!!!,” a novel number written and co-performed by Sukimaswitch, the album comprises twelve numbers.

Click here for details, including information on individual numbers.

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