Yoshiko Kanroji: Work That Enriched My Life

2018/06/26

My work is as an interior decorator. I have handled Christmas decorations for stores and department stores, and managed Puff Co., Ltd., which deals in interior goods. Thirty-five years ago, I opened my own lifestyle shop, "Puff Collection." It has been well-received for its concept as an "adult woman's toy box," offering a selection of linens, accessories, cards, and ribbons.

Actually, I have never gone through a "job hunt." This is because I gave birth to my eldest daughter during my senior year of university, and subsequently had four children. I moved to the West Coast of the United States for my husband's work, and quickly entered a period of being a housewife and raising children.

I passed my husband on the stairs of Hiyoshi Station on the day of the entrance ceremony. We met again at the student cafeteria. It was truly a fateful encounter.

Life in America was a continuous series of daily culture shocks. Since I was a child, I loved organizing things—I was a bit of an unusual child who enjoyed turning closets into beds or organizing the drawers of my mother's vanity—so the houses and interiors I saw were stimulating.

As we moved from one place to another, arranging the house and interior was a joyful way to manifest my dreams. I was also inspired by the social awareness of the housewives around me who actively participated in volunteer work.

My experience in America came to life after returning to Japan. By chance, one of the guests I invited was from Wako, and I was offered the job of decorating the Christmas window displays in Ginza. This became the catalyst for developing my Christmas business. This was in 1979, a time when there was still a gap between lifestyles in Japan and overseas.

Later, my work began to be featured in women's magazines, and my personal style of mixing Western and Eastern elements was compiled into a book titled "ie" (Home).

My interior design policy is "organization." By proceeding while considering not only functionality but also beauty, my own world is created. Looking back now, my father collected antiques, and my mother enjoyed tea ceremony and flower arrangement and handmade our clothes and sweaters—the fact that I found them wonderful as a child may be connected to my current sensibilities.

Also, I have moved 15 times so far. Five of those were in America, and four were new constructions. I have enjoyed coordinating these homes, and I am truly grateful to my husband for enjoying it with me and providing such "canvases."

*Affiliations and titles are from the time of the original publication.