A few months ago I joked with my partner that we should visit Osaka at the end of the year. She seriously replied that if so we could visit a sewing studio – nani IRO – as sadly they are about to close their physical location on the 23rd of November this year. She had bought books by them before, and they made her fall in love with sewing.
So today just two days before their closing date, we made it to the studio. I imagine that it must be a surreal feeling: to buy some books online, then one day visiting the actual location in Osaka, from Singapore. Maybe it is like me visiting the Theatre of Dreams in Manchester. I kid.
It was an inspiring experience for me as well, though I was just tagging along. I really enjoy visiting creative spaces. It was only today that I learnt that Naomi Ito, the founder, was a watercolour artist before being invited by Kokka to print her art on textiles. I especially like when different creative domains bleed into each other.
It felt meaningful to witness my partner being there. And that somehow against all odds we really made it to see it one last time.
Spotted more people painting in a park which is always inspiring to watch. It feels like they live with so much intention, to pack all their materials and go all the way to the park to paint.
Also visited this very cool used art book store:
We also visited the Kuromon Ichiba market, where people are bravely eating puffer fish sashimi:
…and of course this post wouldn’t be complete without a picture of my partner out eating ramen in the cold.
