Photo by Masatoshi Moriyama, Art Direction: Twotwotwo
Temples and shrines weaving the scenery of the four seasons, Japanese gardens, dishes with the essence of a chef and hospitality, people who inherit traditions and pass on the future... Just look at it and you can feel like traveling in Kyoto, KBS Kyoto · Kyoto Pictorial, a program co-produced by TOKYO MX·BS11, has been broadcast since October. The cast is actor Takako Tokiwa. Although he has visited Kyoto many times for work and personal reasons, he has heard him say that he "can't fully understand" the charm of Kyoto.
——How about the location shooting of the first regularization of Kyoto Pictorial?
Tokiwa: Although the weather is not good, Kyoto is also beautiful in the rain. The moss looked wet and the sound of rain was pleasant.
——I heard that you visited the 450-year-old material pavilion "Scoop Pavilion" located next to Nanzen-ji Temple, and the "Kaihua Hall" where craftsmen make tea pots.
Tokiwa: At Hattei, I had the privilege of talking with Mr. Eiichi Takahashi, the 14th generation head of the household, and Mr. Takao Sasoka, the third-generation head of Hanamichi Nobuyuki Sasaki. I've heard about "food" and "beauty" in Kyoto, but [people who work in culture and art in Kyoto] have a clearer vision of "what is beauty" than we always think of beauty.
- Specifically, how do you express your aesthetic awareness?
Tokiwa: Maybe this is a unique expression of Kyoto people... It is not explicitly stated in words. In an abstract way, say "Please be considerate". But there is a clear vision there. That's how I understand it. For example, if you can casually say, "I like something like this," different people will have different understandings. Mr. Takahashi of "Ototei" also said, "I like to be 'not marginal'" and "that's it" when I eat food. It is not so much an acceptance of language as an acceptance of the consciousness of beauty.
——Did you actually take tea pots and coffee pots in the "Kaihua Hall"?
Tokiwa: Yes. I was also shown the actual production site, and I felt that the only thing I could bring back with that memory was travel. The lid will fall off (because of the weight of the lid itself) and close it as if it were. From now on, I can enjoy not only the time of making coffee, but also the time of opening and closing the coffee bean can. (The copper jar can enjoy the change over the years) I want to stroke it every day and cultivate it into a good color.
Photo: Moriyama Masatomo
──I heard that you spent your childhood in Kansai, and have you ever felt close to Kyoto since then?
Tokiwa: In elementary and middle school, he lived in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture because of his father's transfer of work, and moved to Yokohama in the first year of high school. When I lived in Nishinomiya, I rarely went to Kyoto. In general, after the 20s, I go on my own.
──Since then, you have visited Kyoto several times for work or personal reasons, what is your impression of Kyoto?
Tokiwa: It should be said that it is full of things that women like. France feels the same way [at this point]. Whether it's an art museum on the street or a place that makes people feel overwhelmed, Paris and Kyoto are very similar.... It has a long history and a mature culture. People who live in Kyoto share this pride. Knowledge and upbringing (based on history and culture) are also plentiful.
- Kyoto and Paris are very similar. This is something you will only feel after your visit.
Tokiwa: By the way, Kyoto people are very good at talking. Chat with the chef at the bar and learn about the seasons and food culture. In the restaurants of Paris, there are also many cases of chefs coming out to chat. I think that's similar. I think in Kyoto, guests also say "the counter is very good" and have a good chat.
—What Paris and Kyoto have in common, the catch of the ball in conversation with the chef.... Is this the exclusive fun of Kyoto for adults?
Tokiwa: Yeah. Although it has come to an end to some extent, because there is still a long way to go, it is impossible to achieve it to everyone.... I wanted to use this show as an opportunity to meet Kyoto, which I haven't seen so far, so I'm looking forward to it.
After the postponement of the broadcast of the COVID-19 disaster, Kyoto Pictorial will become the long-awaited norm from October, so let's hear your thoughts.
Tokiwa: This is the first time I've watched this kind of show, and I'm not used to it, and I'm very upset [when I get noticed]. I don't think I'm up to it. However, the first location shot made me think "is this okay". It's just that if I can become a "representative of people who like Kyoto".
- "Representative of people who like Kyoto". Indeed, the audience can also enjoy it while having resonance.
Tokiwa: I like Kyoto so much that I've been there many times, but I didn't notice that there's a further charm behind Kyoto. I think this show is all about letting everyone find opportunities for investigation and learning that interests you.
--In mid-November, Kyoto will have autumn foliage season, so if Ms. Tokiwa has been so far, do you have any autumn foliage spots that you want to visit in the future?
Tokiwa: I'm really sorry, I'm "Eikando". I didn't think clearly about the reasons why people went to Kyoto to see the autumn leaves (although I understood it in my head, but before I actually went to see them). But the first time I saw the autumn leaves of Eikando, I was really surprised. "So everyone is coming!" Say yes. I never knew nature was so rich in color. In one sentence, it can be summed up as maple leaves, which originally had so many colors. Thinking about it this way, many of the colors of kimonos are Japanese. This subtle color difference is also expressed because of seeing natural colors. (from nature to culture, art) is familiar with a lot of things, really a culture shock. In the future, there will be outdoor shooting of autumn leaves and gardens, and I am really looking forward to it.
I think there are a lot of people who can't visit Kyoto because of the COVID-19 disaster. Please leave a message to the audience who watched the show.
Tokiwa: Just as I learned about the charm of Kyoto through this show myself, I hope that viewers will also take this opportunity to learn about their favorite Kyoto.
◇
Through the scenery, culture, traditions, and people who support it, ms. Takako Tokiwa met, she discovered a new "Kyoto" that she had never seen before. While resonating with the encounters and discoveries of Mr. Tokiwa, the "representative of people who like Kyoto," let's also take a "tour" of Kyoto.
Takako Tokiwa was born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1972. He has starred in TV series such as "Say You Love Me", "Beautiful Life", "Xiao Xi", "Proud Wife" and many other works. The films include "Red Moon", "Brothers In the Palace", "Pen Love", "20th Century Boy" 3-parts, "Wild Flower" and so on.