Things that light up a soft glow in our daily lives.
It was a day in the middle of last month.
I was walking through the streets of Kyoto with a spring in my step, where a cold wind was blowing and occasionally a mix of rain and snow was falling.
The place I was aiming for that day was a stationery shop called "HIRAETH".
As I walked up Kawaramachi Street toward Marutamachi Street, I saw a mint-blue arch.
It was last December that I introduced postcards from "cozyca products""cozyca products"(you can jump to their note page from the link), a brand by the long-established stationery manufacturer Hyogensha, in an article.
It was when I was writing that article that I learned about the existence of HIRAETH, the direct-managed store for cozyca products.
All of the stationery and miscellaneous goods here are created through collaborations with various artists under the concept of "being a bridge that connects artists' works with daily life."
From block memo pads, letter sets, stickers, masking tape, to postcards... after seeing the shop filled with cute items and the many new products that made me feel the early arrival of spring on note and Instagram, I decided I absolutely had to visit the store, so I made my way there.
The moment the shop entrance came into view, I saw orange light spreading inside, and that alone made me feel happy.
The small door on the right is adorable.
There is also a sign on the left that says "Swimmy is here."
When I stepped into the shop, I couldn't help but say "cute" out loud.
Not only the stationery lined up, but also the hanging mobiles, handkerchiefs, and colorful plates all had a warm atmosphere, making me feel like I would love to live in a space like this.
they kindly agreed.
What I felt I liked the most was the corner by the window right after entering.
Letter sets, handkerchiefs, and other items are lined up there.
A scene where colorful things are lined up is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
It's cut off, but there are still more on the right side.
Since it's hard to use up block memo pads,
I had decided to buy only one,
but I had a very hard time choosing just one from among them.
I was also drawn to the illustrations
decorated on the wall of the staircase landing.
Just by looking at the scene of adorable and wonderful things lined up in a small shop, I can feel my heart relaxing.
Taking my time to choose the things I want to welcome into my home while worrying about this and that is also a fun time.
I left the shop thinking how glad I was to have found another place I want to visit again.
After returning home, I immediately spread out the things I encountered today on my desk.
I love the serene and fantastical worldview that this person draws.
A piece where the vivid red colors of apples, strawberries, and flamingos are impressive.
Below is Leo Lionni's Swimmy.
It's hard to convey in a photo, but the foil-stamped parts are beautiful.
On the left is "Window, Coffee" and on the right is "Flying Memories."
I find myself captivated by the delicate use of color in the lines of the hair.
Recently, I realized that I like "foil stamping."
It's the same with water surfaces and glass, but I am drawn to things that reflect light and shine, aren't I?
I have my writing desk against the wall, and I decorate that wall with postcards.
When I look up while working in my planner and meet the eyes of my favorite works, I feel happy, thinking that it really is nice.
And, not just postcards, I also welcomed block memo pads, stickers, and a letter pad.
Below that is Motoko Omori's letter pad.
On the right are Nishi Shuku's stickers.
The title of Akira Kusaka's block memo pad is "THE CYCLE
OF THE SEASONS." Each of the four patterns represents a scene of the four seasons, and all of them are as beautiful as a single painting, to the point where I feel it would be a waste to take notes on them.
Spring, blown by a pleasant breeze. Summer, wrapped in the scent of greenery.
Autumn, when even the air is dyed golden. Winter, when the stars cast their sparkle.
I feel the unique beauty in every season.
Yuko Omori's "SAKURA" letter pad uses Mino washi paper, and the rough texture on the side with the illustration is quite pleasant. There are four patterns for this as well, and all of them have a wonderful, gentle quality; I think I would be very happy if I could receive a letter written on such a pad.
The sight of petals dancing on the wind is a scene I have loved since I was a child.
I find myself wishing I could write beautiful characters
that would suit such a letter pad.
I picked up Nishi Shuku's "SCENE" stickers because she was the one who illustrated the cover of the book I was reading at the time.
The unique atmosphere, which feels both warm and cold at the same time, remains filled with tranquility even as a sticker, but it also carries the cuteness peculiar to small things, and just imagining sticking them in my notebook brings me joy.
such as on the sweater and cherries, are striking.
I am especially fond of illustrations of food,
and I find myself gazing at their calm presence.
Taking notes. Applying stickers. Writing letters.
These are all modest acts in daily life, but having illustrations that I find beautiful at hand at those times feels like something that lights a soft glow in our daily lives.
"I encountered something wonderful, it was a good day."
I think the time spent running a pen across my favorite notebook to record that feeling is also a rich moment.
* Click here for the Instagram of Hyogensha cozyca products.
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