Gallerist's small episodes vol.12 | Memories of a flat box

【Megumi MARUYAMA / megumu art】

Japanese arts, crafts and antiques are often accompanied by paulownia wood boxes, and especially for new crafts, the boxes are treated as part of the work, signed by the artist.

When I was training, measuring and ordering these boxes was a stepping stone to success for newcomers, but I was very bad at this task. I measured the dimensions with a special ruler called a vernier caliper, and took into consideration the thickness of the inner fabric and the grain of the wood to determine the dimensions, but for some reason I would misread the numbers. 17cm to 12cm, 12mm to 7mm... I often got the height and width mixed up.

A few months later, the finished box arrived, and the moment I opened the cardboard box, I had a bad feeling. "Did I order this flat plate-like box?" -- I turned pale when I saw the order form, and more than once I wasted time wondering how to apologize until the owner returned. Sometimes I ended up wasting expensive lacquer painted boxes.

Even so, the owner and his seniors took a sigh and quietly said, "Well, be careful next time." Although they spoke calmly, I could sense the disappointment (and anger) deep inside, which really hit home.

The failed box was left behind forever, and I couldn't help but feel like it was watching me from the corner of the shelf. It made me regretful, wondering if a suitable piece would ever come along.

But then many years passed, and shortly before I became independent, a flat piece that fit perfectly in the box miraculously appeared, and finally went on its way to a customer.

At some point, a junior colleague joined the company, and I was relieved of the measuring work, which I was not good at, but now that I am independent, I have to measure things myself. Even now, the memories of those days are so vivid that I still feel uneasy when I pick up a vernier caliper.

So now, I have artists take measurements for me, or I leave it all to the box makers, and I try to delegate work that I am not suited to as much as possible.

The only thing I never want to create again is that "flat box" that remains quietly at the back of the shelf.

【Megumi MARUYAMA / megumu art】

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megumu art

10:00 - 18:00
〒104-0031 東京都中央区京橋2-12-2 三貴ビル2階
2F Miki bldg., 2-12-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031 
TEL：090-3451-8637
WEB：https://www.megumuart.com/
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