Uncle Rene Papazepetto ~The Sun of Gekkoso~
From my home in Nihonbashi to Ginza during my school days
Piano: To learn from Dan Michiko
I walked to Ginza Hachome to commute to work.
The best part about the journey is taking detours.
Number one, eat anmitsu at Okame or Kanoko.
Second, I stopped by Julien Sorel on the corner of Miyuki-dori and Namiki-dori to look at Reyes underwear.
That March, I stop by Papa Bezette in Gekkoso to buy some paints and a sketchbook. By the time I walk back to Nihonbashi, whistling with that pink, yellow, and moss green square sketchbook tucked under my arm, I'm exhausted.
(Because) right!! I get it. My stomach and sides were bloated from taking too many detours. My feet were wobbly from sniffing too many perfume samples. It was an exciting youth.
Geppetto's dad always says to the basket hanging from the ceiling, "Put your money in that basket!"
Excerpt from the 100th anniversary book "What's important in life I learned from Uncle Gekkoso"
Gekkoso and Ado Mizumori first met when she was still a schoolgirl, long before she became a sensation with her performance of singing while simultaneously drawing illustrations with both hands on a transparent acrylic board.
Mizumori, who was born in Nihonbashi, walked along the Ginza street, and the sing-song-like Mizumori was a dear friend to the founder of Gekkoso, with whom she shared the same aesthetic sense, despite the difference in their age.
On the inside cover of the sketchbook is a picture of a young Mizumori and the founder of GekkosoIn 1968, the long-awaited Gekkoso Building was completed in front of Taimei Elementary School in Ginza, housing an art supply store, a residence, a salon, a gallery, a restaurant, and more. The illustration showcasing the entire facility was created by Ado Mizumori. It is a treasure of Gekkoso, a product of their long friendship.
The baton of that friendship was passed on to the third-generation owner, Kozo Hibi, the grandson of the founder, who contributed illustrations and a poem to the commemorative book for Gekkoso's 100th anniversary, published in 2017. This is the poem with the unique rhythm that is unique to Mizumori-san, which I introduced at the beginning of this article.
Mizumori-san is still as active today as she was back then, captivating the world with her sparkling smile from behind an acrylic board, performing live and holding solo exhibitions. We hope she stays healthy and well!