Work Archives
Sakubei was a family-run shop in Sakae, Narita, that served the local community for over 50 years. Located near the elementary school, the shop functioned not only as a place for daily necessities but also as a familiar gathering point where generations of residents shared everyday interactions and memories. After the owner, Obaa-chan, became unable to continue running the shop due to her health, the store closed, leaving behind a sense of absence within the neighborhood.
Developed during the Fuwari no Mori Artist Residency, this project explored how collective memories can be transformed into a visual record of a place. Through conversations with Sakae residents, stories and personal recollections of Sakubei were collected and translated into illustrations painted on the shop’s closed metal shutter.
The project expanded into a three-day community mural workshop, inviting local children and residents to participate in the painting process. Through collaborative creation, the shutter became a shared canvas where different generations contributed their memories and perspectives, transforming a closed space into a renewed symbol of connection.
Sakubei examines the role of public art as a form of community archiving—preserving everyday histories that are often absent from official records. The mural serves as a visual memory of the shop, carrying stories from the residents of Sakae and creating a lasting connection between past, present, and future generations.
Supported by Fuwari no Mori and Sakae Town Hall.