artique Kamakura: Finding nostalgia by the sea
Tucked along a quiet alley in Hase, Kamakura, Artique Kamakura is home to an impressive selection of carefully selected French antiques. The house itself is a beautiful, traditional Japanese folk house, nestled within lush hedges and trees, only minutes away from the beach. The cedarwood structure has had minimal renovations since its erection during the Taisho Era (1912-1926) and remains in spectacular condition. When entering, one can immediately feel the captivating contrast between European and Japanese design.
I had the pleasure of photographing and speaking with the shopkeeper/curator, Wakana Asano, learning about Artique’s history and how it came to be.
As we sat in the garden, Wakana described to me the Asano family’s artistic roots. Her father was a painter and her mother, a children’s book writer. She brought some of the children’s books her mother wrote and father illustrated so I could leaf through them. The books told stories and tales influenced by Grenada, Spain, where the family had lived for some time before returning to their hometown of Saitama, Japan. She pointed to a page in one of the books, her finger hovering over a drawing of a dark church in a sea of white houses. With a smile on her face, she told me that her brother, Rei Asano, was born in the outline of a house just behind that church in Grenada.
In the siblings’ hometown of Saitama, Japan, their father constantly decorated their home with his paintings of Spanish landscapes. Their mother’s side were also fairly big collectors of antiques as well. Rei’s interest was particularly sparked when he discovered his grandmother’s own collection of heirlooms. Influenced by both sides of the family, Rei went on to forge a passion that combined both art and antiques: Artique.
“In the beginning, he [Rei] built a small cottage nearby our house in our hometown and filled it with his work [restored antiques]. Only the neighbors and locals knew about it so they would spread the news around the area. . . no one even really knew where it was because it was never advertised and a map for it didn’t exist. But through word of mouth, it was enough for it [Artique] to grow.”
Throughout the past 14 years, Rei’s passion evolved into the family’s passion. They would travel to France multiple times a year, perusing antique stores in Provence and selecting pieces they found befitting; ones that created a sense of attachment and nostalgia. The Asano’s even had the chance to host a few exhibitions in Paris, proving that Artique’s reputation is beyond their humble shop here in Japan.
A folk house with remarkable history parallels the Asano’s own as their pastimes and worldly adventures come together to create something truly extraordinary and evocative at the same time. Artique Kamakura isn’t just any antique shop. It doubles as an art gallery in itself to not only display, sell and emphasize the beauty of French antiques, but provides outsiders a glimpse into the Asano family’s history. I especially felt that connection when Wakana informed me that a beautiful painting in the entrance of the shop was their father’s who passed away seven years ago. It’s clear to me that their influence in antiquing and their tenacity with Artique will continue to flourish.
“Antiques won’t be able to exist without people who will take care and love them for generations to come. . . I hope visitors will find something here they have feelings for or an attachment to.”
Today, Artique comprises of two stores: Rei running the one in his hometown of Saitama and Wakana in Kamakura. Their mother lends a hand from time to time. At Artique Kamakura, antiques, restored pieces, as well as Wakana’s work (Fleurgrance) can be found for sale. If you happen to be in either Kamakura or Saitama, please visit Artique and experience the charm for yourself. Perhaps purchase something you feel a connection with and maybe even get a glimpse into the lives of the family that started it all.
For more information about Artique’s shop locations and hours, please visit artique.jp.
Photos and words by Amy Tang