This week, we delve into the inner world of guest Akira Tani

Continuing from last week, we interviewed Akira Tani, owner of the interior shop 'Orne de Feuilles' in Aoyama, about the charm of antiques and flea markets, his books and blog, and the path he has taken since opening his shop. We also heard some surprising stories about the music that has influenced Tani's life.

REVIEW | TRACK LIST

01.Brian Eno / By This River (Virgin)
02.Gustavo Santaolalla / Al Otro Lado Del Río (DG)
03.Takagi Masakatsu / Elegance Of Wild Nature (P-Vine)
04.Urbs / So Weit (G-Stone)
05.Wechsel Garland/ Verbluten (Karaoke Kalk)
06.rei harakami / Owari No Kisetsu (Sublime Records)
07.Architecture In Helsinki / Need To Shout - Mocky Remix(Tailem Ben)
08.Björk / It's Oh So Quiet (Universal)

Treasures found at Parisian flea markets

MatsuuraMr. Tani, besides running your shop, you've also published books on flea markets, craft supplies, and antique papers. I've seen them all and found them very unique. Was there a particular motivation for focusing on craft supplies and antique papers?

TaniIt was the reverse of 'making a book.' As I kept visiting flea markets, I gradually started collecting things that caught my eye. And again, ordinary items weren't enough... Of course, I source popular items for the shop, but beyond that, things that are difficult to sell as products, my personal preferences, those feelings grew stronger. Among them, crafts... I don't do any crafts myself, of course.

MatsuuraOh, really (laughs)?!



TaniNo, I don't (laughs). So, why did I collect them? I was drawn to the beauty of the label designs. For current items, I think many designs have a commercial feel, but back then, tools and such were very precious, and the designs were made with great care. They were designs befitting luxury goods. I thought such designs could be utilized in modern designs, and at first, I collected them as reference material. Before I knew it, I had a considerable volume. I started selling some of them in the shop, but if I sold the designs I had collected, nothing would remain. So, I wondered if I could leave some kind of database. That's when a publisher approached me, and that led to the book.

When dealing with antiques, I want to convey the 'product itself' rather than discussing trivia

MatsuuraAfter I learned that you also write... I first found out through your blog, and I thought you were very good at explaining things. Even in our conversation now, you explain things very clearly, your writing is very smooth, and your feelings come across well. Were you naturally good at that?

TaniHonestly, I'm not confident in my writing or speaking... However, although I don't consciously think about it, when dealing with antiques, I tend to convey the 'product itself' as much as possible, rather than talking about trivia or historical background. Perhaps that's why it's easy to understand.



MatsuuraIndeed, when it comes to interiors, music, or art, if you start talking about trivia, it gets filled with proper nouns, kanji, and parentheses, and you often lose track of what you're trying to say. In that sense, your explanations are like a window curtain gently swaying in a breeze, letting the wind in... That's just my own image, of course (laughs). That's how I feel. Perhaps I'm reading it as literature. And in the first place, blogs are a bit 'naughty,' aren't they, in a way? So, I only write the minimum necessary, and these days, it's Twitter, isn't it? But Twitter is also flooded now, so I've ended up only tweeting information. In that sense, your blog is a great example to read, and I can't write that smoothly. Everyone, please take a look at Mr. Tani's blog sometime.

Even with a few scratches or peeling paint, it's 'character'

MatsuuraMr. Tani, what do you think is the greatest appeal of shabby items, things with a bit of texture?

TaniFor example, with traditional antique furniture, there's a common view that restoring it perfectly, making it look exactly as it did 100 years ago, is valuable. But to me, that's too much like a model student and not very interesting. For instance, even with a few scratches or peeling paint, that's 'character.' It's not a model student; isn't 'character' something that's a little bit outside the lines? That resonates more with me, so I naturally started collecting them.

Interior shop 'boiserie'

MatsuuraYou select items that hold personal meaning and make them work as a business. However, I imagine that precisely because you love them, it can be difficult to manage them in a business context. Have you experienced that, Mr. Tani?

TaniBefore we opened, I thought combining old and new items was natural, but explaining that to staff and others was very difficult; I couldn't get them to understand. It was clear in my mind, but I had to explain it without a building or products actually displayed. So, there were many challenges leading up to the opening. But once the shop opened, and we were featured in magazines, people gradually began to understand. Now I can do as I please, but it was quite a struggle to get here.

What is the experimental workshop and shop 'Inspiration'?

MatsuuraSo, after six years, you've brought your vision to life and now have satellite secret bases. Besides 'Orne de Feuilles,' you also run 'Boiserie' and the experimental workshop and shop 'Inspiration,' right?



For example, we might display contrasting items like old and new together, or deliberately mix straight and curved lines in the shop's interior design. It's a place where we can reflect what we discover there into 'Orne de Feuilles' or 'Boiserie'.

'I used to envy people doing different things, but
I'm me, after all' - 'Milk' by Noriyuki Makihara

MatsuuraWhen did you first hear that song?

TaniI had heard it before when I was in Japan, but the lyrics didn't really sink in. Then I moved to Paris, and during that time, I had very few friends and couldn't speak the language fluently, so I felt lonely for a long period. It was then that the Japanese lyrics really resonated with me. I started working the day after arriving in France, but everyone around me seemed to be students, going to school happily, perhaps with more disposable income, shopping and so on. I felt very lonely among them. Listening to 'Milk' during that time, there were lyrics like, 'There's no point comparing yourself to others.' It encouraged me, saying, 'I am who I am.' Another song is Rei Harakami's 'Owari No Kisetsu' (The Season of Ending). I like electronic music like this, and I like music from various genres. Even strange things... like Seikima-II (laughs).

I want to create a new worldview with my own selection

MatsuuraAre there any challenges you'd like to take on in the future?

TaniI always want to be doing something new. The plan is to expand the shop a bit more around autumn. As part of the expansion, I'm thinking of introducing new items that we haven't carried before. These won't be 'model student' items, but rather things that are a little offbeat. I want to create a new worldview with my own selection.

MatsuuraI'm very much looking forward to it. Please do your best. Continuing from last week, we had Akira Tani, owner of 'Orne de Feuilles,' as our guest. Thank you very much.

Click here for Part 1: 'With Akira Tani, owner of interior shop 'Orne de Feuilles''