Fukui's local product exhibition at KITTE, commemorating the 400th anniversary of receiving the Edo kami-yashiki (upper residence) of the Fukui Domain

An event named "Fukui's local product exhibition at KITTE, commemorating the 400th anniversary of receiving the Edo kami-yashiki (upper residence) of the Fukui Domain" was held last week.
KITTE is a six-story commercial facility just outside Tokyo Station's Marunouchi South Exit. With a retro appearance that partially preserves the former Tokyo Central Post Office, the contrast with the brand-new skyscraper JP Tower that rises above it stands out. The event was held in a tourism and business information center called "Tokyo City i" on the KITTE's basement floor.
I attended a technical seminar in Tokyo on January 30th, so I went to the event on that occasion. At first, I had a question why such an event was held around the Tokyo Station. But I knew why it was held here. Because the Fukui Domain's Edo kami-yashiki was located at the current Otemachi Place, where is very near the venue.
By the way, the foundation of the townscape of Ginza was made by the then-governor of Tokyo, Kimimasa Yuri, a feudal retainer of the Fukui Domain. The graves of Sanai Hashiomoto, who was executed in Ansei Purge, and Unpin Umeda, who died in prison during the Ansei Purge, are located in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. And in Taito Ward, there used to be "Fukui-cho (town)", which was formed at the site of the Fukui Domain's residence.
I realized that there are many things related to Fukui in the center of Tokyo.
T.S

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Wine event held in front of Fukui Station

A season for wine is here in Japan. The other day, the annual wine event was held in a roofed space "Happy Terrace", right in front of Fukui Station.

At the event, they offered the 150 kinds wine selected from around the world from 200 yen for a glass. Food booths were set up by several popular restaurants and various shops in Fukui, so the visitors could enjoy good foods, breads and desserts as well. And, staff sold wine in a wagon from table to table, which was good service for visitors who don't want to stand up often to get wine at the booth. (H.S)

The "Happy Terrace" is an all-weather space, which is a good place for such an event. 

　　　　　　　　　　　There also was a champagne corner. 

　　　　　　　　　　I saw the Slovenian wine for the first time. 

　　　　　　　　　　The food booth of an old restaurant "Grill Fukui"

There were a lot of foods that go well with wine and I couldn't easily choose what to eat.

　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　

　　　　　　　                     Assorted hors d'oeuvre

                              

              Special advance tickets were sold at Liqueur World Hana and Yasubun. 

An exhibition titled "Cats are just cute"

The other day, I saw the exhibition titled   "Cats are just cute"   in Osaka.

At the exhibition, you can see a lot of adorable photos, objects and arts of cats.  

                           Photo by a cat photographer, Masayuki Oki 

                                (The photo is from FASHION PRESS) 

                                       Felt art by Midori Nakayama

                                  (The photo is from FASHION PRESS)

Other than amazing photos by professional photographers, the many photos by applicants from all over Japan were overwhelming. I felt once again that cats are really loved by people. And, posters of rare cats were displayed, which attracted my attention. I am fascinated by Bengal and Savannah Cat. They look almost like panthers, and it seems to be thrilling if I have one, but I heard that their character is sweet. The contrast is lovable. 

The exhibition in Tokyo and Osaka was over, but it will be held in Yokohama and Shizuoka from now. (H.S)

[Video] A savannah cat goes out with its owner. (2'31") 

Indeed, it looks a wild animal but obviously, it is a cat when I see it stepping on the mats.

　

Tsutomu Mizukami Exhibition "What it is to live", which commemorated the 100th anniversary of his birth

I went to the Tsutomu Mizukami Exhibition, which is now being held in Fukui Prefectural Library. Tsutomu Mizukami is a Fukui-born novelist. (1919-2004)

There was a big panel of Mizukami's photo that shows him standing in a coat in the snow.

He looked more stylish than ordinary actors. His books were displayed all over on a wall,  which was overwhelming. Each book cover was tasteful. Among them, I was particularly impressed with one of "Gobancho Yugiriro", which is the title was lettered big in pale red on a white background simply. 

Also, his handwritten manuscripts were exhibited. His handwriting looked soft and tender, which showed Mizukami's gentle personality. There were many red-pencil parts, of course, and I found how hard it was to finish final manuscripts. 

I was touched by one sentence from an essay by him: "Looking back my childhood, I think of my poor parents who didn't talk any lessons. But now I realize that they left many better words than any other books to me. " 

The exhibition is admission-free, includes a precious film and sound of lectures, so you can see a compilation of Mizukami's work. It was a meaningful space and I wanted to stay there a whole day. (H.S)