Ginzan Town Fairy Tale (Episode 8)

Chapter 7: The Right Stuff

On the Tuesday after Golden Week, Takahashi voiced his admiration to Tanaka as he arrived at work.
“I never would have thought of a Fairy Art Museum. My wife was impressed, too. She says she definitely wants to see it.”
“It’s not really something to be praised for. When Hanzawa-san pressed me about a ‘main project,’ I just happened to remember a story about Koriyama City building an art museum centered on British art, and the words ‘Fairy Art Museum’ just came out. It was like a shot in the dark.”
Takahashi thought, his eyes wide (I feel like I’ve read a newspaper article like that, but I could never have come up with the idea of a Fairy Art Museum from it).
“Even if it was by chance, that’s fine. It’s the result of keeping your antenna up. So, the other topics that came up were incorporating a ‘Fairy Path,’ an ‘Observation Deck,’ and so on. I’ll confirm with the section chief, but I’d like you to be present when we report to the mayor, Tanaka-san.
If we’re asked for the reason behind building a Fairy Art Museum, it might be good to explain that since this is a ‘hometown where fairies live,’ we need a ‘Fairy Mansion,’ and we want to build it as a facility to attract visitors and facilitate interaction.”

Iida, Takahashi, and Tanaka stood before the mayor, while Munakata waited at the entrance.
“A Fairy Art Museum, that’s a good idea. And I hear Hanzawa-kun is in favor of it, too. Did Muto-kun say anything?”
The mayor was a little excited. Iida sent a glance toward Takahashi, and Takahashi nudged Tanaka lightly to tell him to explain.
“Hanzawa-san seemed to be in favor of it. Muto-san, as an architect, showed a great deal of interest.”
“That’s a truly good trend. Above all, the sense of speed is good. I’m sorry to say this to Section Chief Munakata, but when the General Affairs Division was in charge, there was absolutely no movement. I never expected things to progress this far by early May. Moreover, it’s a big deal that we’ve brought in ‘Hanzawa-kun, who opposes everything the mayor does.’ I’ll leave the details to Section Chief Iida, so there’s no need for minor reports.
For the time being, please proceed with preparations for the UK inspection in the September supplementary budget and the construction of the Fairy Art Museum in the initial budget for the next fiscal year. Since this will be a large-scale project, please don’t neglect prior coordination with the assembly members.
Information has likely already leaked to the opposition members from Hanzawa-kun and Watanabe-kun, but I would like the town authorities to handle both the ruling and opposition parties carefully and early on. I think it would be best for Section Chief Iida to convey this around the time of the bill explanation for the June assembly.”
“Understood. I believe the reason this project is progressing smoothly is because the mayor made the decisive decision on the policy for the UK inspection, and because you provided the concept of a ‘hometown where fairies live,’ which is appropriate for our town, rich in water and greenery. We will do our utmost for the development of the town.”
Iida replied proudly. After bowing to the mayor, who nodded with satisfaction, the three members of the Planning Division and Munakata left the mayor’s office.
Munakata called out to Iida, who was walking in the lead.
“It’s rare to see the mayor in such a good mood; that was something to see.”
“I wish he would stay in a good mood forever, but I’m afraid of the backlash.”
Iida showed an anxious face.
“What are you saying? If Hanzawa-kun, the spearhead of the anti-mayor faction, has joined our side, there shouldn’t be any major obstacles. We just need to calmly request the budget and steadily develop the project. With young and energetic staff, the Planning Division is safe.”
Iida wore an expression that suggested he wasn’t entirely displeased. Munakata turned to Takahashi.
“By the way, Takahashi-kun, what kind of magic did you use to win over Hanzawa-kun? Could you teach me for the future?”
Takahashi, having been put on the spot, hesitated for a moment (it’s hard to call it the magic of love), but replied,
“If there were a magic-like trick, I’d want to be taught it myself. I think this time, Tanaka’s enthusiasm and sincerity were what got through.”
Section Chief Munakata, still looking unconvinced, said nothing and returned to the office.

Back in the Planning Division, Takahashi spoke to Iida, who had a glowing expression, with a serious face.
“Section Chief, please let me confirm the future policy for our approach. Tanaka-san, please take notes. I haven’t organized my thoughts yet, but let me speak as things come to mind.
First, regarding the construction of the ‘Fairy Art Museum,’ which will be the headquarters:
1. Selection and securing of the project site
2. Collection of architectural materials, which was the homework given by Muto-san
3. Investigation into the existence of similar facilities. I will inquire with the Ministry of Education.
4. Consideration of the overall picture, including auxiliary facilities such as the ‘Fairy Path’ and ‘Observation Deck’ to be developed alongside the Fairy Art Museum
5. Formulation of the overall schedule, including budget compilation
I think this is about it, but Section Chief, is there anything else we should address?”
“I’ll handle the ‘assembly countermeasures’ that the mayor instructed. I might ask you to prepare the materials for that depending on the situation. Although, since I haven’t given the mayor any materials yet, I can’t give materials to the assembly members first, so I’ll explain it orally for now. As for the other issues, please divide the work between Tanaka-kun and Takahashi-kun and proceed quickly.
First is the selection of the project site. It’s data from two years ago, but the Welfare Division should have investigated several candidate sites when they were planning to build the ‘Elderly Welfare Center.’ Why don’t we use that material as a starting point? I’ll put in a word with the Welfare Division Chief.
Depending on the Ministry of Education’s response, this might be the first ‘Fairy Art Museum’ in Japan. It could become an incredibly unique project even among the ‘Hometown Creation Projects’ being developed nationwide. It should be well-received by the media, too.”
Iida headed toward the Welfare Division with a broad smile, and Takahashi and Tanaka returned to their desks. Takahashi thought that perhaps Iida had already completed a blueprint in his head where he would retire at the mandatory age with the success of the project as his swan song and be appointed as the chairman of the Social Welfare Council. He turned to Tanaka with a serious face again.
“Thinking about it seriously, finding a candidate site will be difficult.”
“If we use the list from the Elderly Welfare Center, we just have to choose from there, right?”
“The section chief seems to have that understanding, but that list consists of land proposed by residents at meetings held in each area. They were proposed by the regions with shallow thinking like ‘It’s a vacant lot, so isn’t it fine?,’ but it seems there were no usable places because they were former graveyards or land involved in inheritance disputes. I’ll reconfirm with the Welfare Division later, but a vacant lot is vacant for a reason.”
Takahashi frowned.
“If private land is no good, how about public land?”
“They should have identified public land at the time of the Welfare Center, but I heard there were no suitable sites.”
“Shall we ask just in case? The General Affairs Division is in charge of public land, right?”
“Then I’ll go get the list from the Welfare Division.”
They each stood up, Tanaka headed to the General Affairs Division and Takahashi to the Welfare Division, and both returned immediately. Takahashi spoke while waving a piece of paper.
“I got the list, but it was completely useless. The General Affairs Division will probably be a bust too.”
“Actually, Section Chief Munakata gave me materials on a mountain’s worth of public land.”
“A mountain’s worth?”
“Yes, it seems it wasn’t included as a candidate for the Elderly Welfare Center because it’s an inconvenient location, but the mountain north of Lake Ginzan is town-owned land.”
“Why does the town own such land?”
“It seems it was purchased in a package with the relocation site during the collective relocation of the Kawauchi settlement accompanying the development of the Ueda Dam, but it couldn’t be used for anything and had been left untouched for over thirty years. Section Chief Munakata said if the Planning Division wants to use it, take as much as you want.”
“It’s certainly an inconvenient location and no good for an Elderly Welfare Center, but if you think of it as a ‘Fairy Art Museum,’ it might be a suitable site facing the forest and the lake. Moreover, since it’s an entire mountain, there’s a possibility of expanding it for multiple uses like a Fairy Path, an observation deck, or a campsite. There’s a road, so isn’t it a really good place?”
“I think so too. It also fits perfectly with the Great Serpent legend.”
“Since it doesn’t belong to any settlement, there’s no possibility of disputes between settlements like with the Elderly Welfare Center. It might be the best place.”
“If we have a target for the land, the next thing is the ‘collection of building materials’ that Muto-san mentioned.”
“I’ll try to arrange that myself.”
“Do you have acquaintances in design or something?”
“I intend to have an acquaintance at the Ten-ei Village Office introduce me. It’s the same idea as the ‘Koriyama City British Art Museum’ that Tanaka-san mentioned. I heard that a Tokyo university is starting a ‘large-scale facility development with a British theme’ in Ten-ei Village. I’m thinking of getting introduced to those involved in the development and asking for architectural materials related to British-style buildings and art museums.”

A little later, they reported the outline of the land to Section Chief Iida, who had returned from the Welfare Division, and the direction of promoting a ‘hometown where fairies live’ centered on the Fairy Art Museum on the shores of Lake Ginzan was informally decided. Iida folded his arms, nodded slowly, and spoke to the two.
“I’ll confirm with the mayor later, but with ‘utilization of idle land,’ ‘no settlement entanglements,’ and ‘affinity with the Great Serpent legend,’ it can be said to be the most optimal site. I was thinking in my heart that it was a suitable site, so I’m glad our opinions matched.”

Two days later in the afternoon, a man I had never seen before visited Takahashi at the town office.
“Hello, my name is Suzuki from Light Staff Co., Ltd. Is Chief Takahashi of the Planning Division in?”
He was a man in his late twenties to early thirties wearing a stylish, bright navy suit. Takahashi approached with suspicion at the fawning smile beneath his brown hair.
“I’m Takahashi from the Planning Division. Nice to meet you, right?”
Suzuki said he had heard from Kikuchi in Ten-ei Village that “Takahashi in Ginzan Town is considering a British-style building” and had come to visit. To Suzuki, who said he wanted to greet him before requesting a meeting, Takahashi checked if he had time and gave instructions to Tanaka.
“Tanaka, can you check if the conference room is open?”
“I am very humbled that you would allow me to have a meeting despite my sudden visit.”
Takahashi felt uncomfortable with Suzuki’s obsequious attitude, but accompanied by Tanaka, the three headed to the conference room on the second floor.

They exchanged business cards in the conference room and explained the project outline.
“With that, we are thinking of developing a town revitalization project called ‘A Hometown Where Fairies Live’ centered on a Fairy Art Museum. So, I asked Kikuchi-san of Ten-ei Village to introduce me, hoping you could cooperate by providing materials and information regarding buildings and peripheral development suitable for a Fairy Art Museum.”
Suzuki wore a broad smile.
“Thank you for reaching out to us. Our company is doing local coordination for the development of the British theme park ‘British Hills’ in Ten-ei Village, and we have information on British-style architecture and know-how for town planning, so I think I can be of service to you, Takahashi-sama.”
Takahashi replied with a slightly clouded face.
“However, I’m sorry, but the town office hasn’t budgeted for research and planning for this fiscal year. For the time being, it would be cooperation…”
When Takahashi hesitated, Suzuki replied immediately.
“Working for free, I understand, that’s fine. Our company’s foundation is footwork and networking. To build a network with Ginzan Town, we will cooperate without charge for this fiscal year. On that basis, if you could handle it as a ‘planning and research outsourcing project’ in next year’s budget based on our company’s track record, I would be even more grateful. We will work diligently toward that end.”
“Of course, we will handle that. For that, we need to set a path for the project as early as possible this fiscal year. I would like you to take that into account. I will introduce a local construction company after this, so could you please be considerate of that as well?”
“Of course. The project won’t go smoothly without going through local companies, so we will act as the shadow.”
Takahashi and Suzuki exchanged grins like a corrupt magistrate and a corrupt merchant in a period drama.
“It helps that you’re quick to understand.”
“I will prepare materials, estimates, and design documents for the construction of the Fairy Art Museum as needed, so please leave it to me. Please select the construction site early. Oh, you’ve already prepared it? One more thing I’d like to confirm. The problem is the exhibits. This isn’t something you can prepare just because you have a budget. Art pieces are generally owned by enthusiasts, so they rarely appear on the market, and the prices are also arbitrary.
Generally, the construction of an art museum begins with items that a wealthy entrepreneur has collected over many years of time and money.
For example, the National Museum of Western Art is based on the Matsukata Collection, which centers on paintings and sculptures of Impressionism collected in Europe by the entrepreneur Kojiro Matsukata in the early 20th century.
The Bridgestone Museum of Art opened to display art collected by Shojiro Ishibashi, the founder of Bridgestone. It is said that they were acquired in a lump sum after World War II, but it required a period of several years or more. The Idemitsu Museum of Arts is the same. As for the Mitsubishi Group, even though the Iwasaki family collected art over several decades, they still haven’t built an art museum.
Also, it is desirable to have a story surrounding the exhibits, such as ‘who, why, and how.’ It is a foolish policy to buy up art pieces because you are troubled by how to use 100 million yen in the ‘Hometown Creation Project.’ It is desirable to have a history behind the art collection and a story that moves the heart. Even if that is difficult, I think it is impossible for any contractor or anyone you consult to collect exhibits in one or two years. You are proceeding with the preparation of the exhibits, right?”
The blood drained from the faces of Takahashi and Tanaka. Tanaka held out hope (perhaps Chief Takahashi has a secret idea), but it was immediately dispelled.
“At the moment, there is nothing, it’s a completely blank slate. If you have any connections, I’d like to borrow them.”
“Understood. I don’t have the confidence to meet your expectations, but I will try whatever I can.”
“I’m counting on you. Then, let’s discuss the details at Hasegawa Construction. I’ll lead the way by car, so please follow behind.”
Suzuki nodded and the three stood up.

The sky above the town office was covered in black clouds.

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