A Special Exhibition by Two Seemingly Healthy Old Men

For several years before moving my workplace to Azabu 12 years ago, I ran a shop called "Old Things Saruyama" in Nishi-Ogikubo, Suginami, Tokyo. In the beginning, alongside items produced by Guillemets Layout Studio, I displayed old objects I had collected as references for product design. However, as the town was filled with antique shops and used bookstores, many people came looking for old items. Within three months, responding to demand, the shop transformed entirely into a purveyor of old things.


During this period, I would go on buying trips (acquiring old items from the public) with Suki-san, who had started his shop near Inokashira Park in Kichijoji. I participated in auctions at trade markets multiple times a month, visited flea markets from early morning on weekends, and engaged in bartering with fellow shopkeepers. Occasionally, I would handle items that could be called antiques, but most were simply junk that would be worthless once removed from the shop. I displayed these as if hanging paintings on a wall or arranged them on old shelves, minding the shop. Even without customers, I was busy repairing furniture like tansu chests in front of the store. A young, seemingly healthy shop owner could surely be seen there.


Therefore, we are holding a special exhibition where two seemingly healthy old men are once again gathering the old things we collected during that time.