The Picture Book 'The Little House'

When we talk about sustainability in the world of books, Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring,' which exposed environmental issues in America in the 1960s, is generally cited. While some people may have had concerns before then, it has become an extremely pressing issue recently. Personally, I've loved Virginia Lee Burton's picture book 'The Little House' since I was a child. It's about a small house in a beautiful meadow, which gradually becomes surrounded by urban development in exchange for convenience, and eventually, the house is buried and has to be moved. At the time, it was simply one of my favorite picture books, but when I reread it now, it contains a message that foreshadows the present.

A Bookshelf Reveals a Person's Inner World

That said, I grew up in the countryside and always longed for the city (laughs). Also, to be honest, I'm not the type to carefully peel off the label from every plastic bottle. Because of that, I interpret sustainability not as a business buzzword like 'eco,' but in the sense of the continuous connections and activities of humanity. And within that, there are people's small, everyday sentiments.

The concept behind 'Sustainable Life Luggage,' which I directed this time, is imbued with such sentiments. A bookshelf is a very private thing, and it eloquently speaks to a person's inner self. Instead of approaching sustainability from a grand perspective, I hope that by displaying the books and goods chosen by the talk show guests, their subtle sentiments will be subtly revealed. I'd like it to be something that, before you know it, feels casually like, 'This might be sustainable too.'

Koichi Uchida's White Porcelain Vessel

Taro grown by his parents

Everyday Sustainable Experiences

I plan to place an Astro Boy soft vinyl figure on my bookshelf. This was released on April 7, 2004, to commemorate Astro Boy's first birthday. At first, I displayed it for myself, but now my child loves it very much and cherishes it to the point of taking it along when we go out. Come to think of it, my father also liked Astro Boy, so it's actually being passed down through three generations. I think this might also be a form of sustainability.

My child also reacts strongly to Matisse's art book 'JAZZ,' which I love. Seeing them genuinely excited, without knowing he's a great artist, makes me realize anew that even if we can't afford the original works, it's wonderful that they are compiled in books like this. The passing down of art and stories through generations may also be a form of sustainability. 'Sustainable/Sustainability' is still an unfamiliar term, and discussions generally tend to be on a global scale. However, 'I' or 'my child' feels more relatable than large subjects like the Earth. I feel that makes it more realistic and easier to convey.

Astro Boy, Loved by Three Generations

Henri Matisse 'JAZZ'