企業が行う文化活動というと、「メセナ」や「フィランソロフィー」といった言葉が、みなさんの頭のなかには浮かぶと思います。
が、そのような大文字の概念でくくられる活動は、それこそ都会の大企業が守備範囲とするもので、地方の会社に同じ方法論をあてはめても、無理が生じることと思います。
小布施という信州の小さな町で、地域とともに刺激を受け、与えあうもの、それが私たちのめざす文化事業ではないか。
そう考えつづけてきた線上に、セーラ・マリ・カミングスという台風のような人材が９０年代に登場しました。かつてのスケッチから「Obsession」を掘り起こした彼女は、そこから独自のアイデアを膨らませ、21世紀の始まりの年に「Obusession（小布施ッション）」が、ついに命をもって動き出すことになりました。
前世紀の後半、企業は利益を上げることが第一の存在理由とされ、そのおかげで日本の経済は飛躍的な発展をとげました。
しかし、21世紀の企業には、利益にかわる最終目的が生まれてくると、私は考えています。それは「企業には企業の自己実現が必要だ」ということです。
では私たちは何のために会社を続けているのか。それは「あそこがあると町が明るくなるね」「楽しいね」と、みなさんに感じていただきたいという、じつに単純な価値観に行き着いたからです。
思えば、小布施の歴史も弊社の歴史も、サロンの主宰と展開が主題でした。つまりサロン文化こそが、私たちの目的であり、手段であり、活動の根幹でさえあったように感じています。
ですからこの「小布施ション」はイベントというより、お家芸であるサロン活動の新たな姿だと考えております。
「小布施ション」を支える思想は、平たく言うと「現代の旦那文化」です。そこに、地方のゆったりとした感触を感じていただけると幸いです。
旦那というは、あまり鋭くなく、わかっているような、わかっていないような、ぐらいがちょうどいいかな、と私自身は思っております。
（セーラ・マリ・カミングス編『小布施ションObusession 2001-2002』日経BP企画より）
"Bringing light to our Town."
Reaching for a Tradition of the Arts
Tsugio Ichimura, Owner and President of Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery / Obusedo
When I say that our business will undertake cultural activities, what probably
comes to your mind are the words "philanthropy" and cultural or artistic
"preservation." But, I believe that the type of action usually described
by those terms fits into the realm of larger companies in cities, and that it
is close to impossible for smaller companies in more remote locations to use the
same approach.
In the small town of Obuse, in Shinshu, supported by the encouragement from the
surrounding area, we have the Cultural Affairs Department. On the forefront of
this effort is Sarah Cummings, a talented women with the energy and drive of a
typhoon, who appeared here in the mid 90s. She dug up the idea "Obsession"
from a sketch found from long ago, and she built on that idea until, at the beginning
of the 21st century, it finally came to life.
Last century, earning a profit was the number one priority for a company, and
perhaps for this reason Japan's economy rapidly developed. But, I think that in
the 21st century an ultimate goal other than profit has been born. The goal is
for companies to find their own form of expression-a way of expressing their own
identity.
So, for what purpose do we continue with our company? I've arrived at two simple
values: I want you to feel that you're bringing something positive to this town,
and I want you to have fun. If you think about it, the history of Obuse and the
history of our company are the core of our artistic development. That is, I feel
that an "artistic culture" should be our goal, our means, and our basis
for action from now on.
Because of that, "Obusession" is more than an event; it is our company's
strength - the new shape of our artistic culture. The image behind Obusession
is a modern version of the old tradition "Danna Bunka." Danna Bunka
describes the role of a cultural patron, perhaps the owner of a local business
such as a sake brewery, who acts as a statesman, a cultural leader, and an educator
well versed in a variety of fields. I hope that through Obusession we can bring
some of that valuable tradition to our community and we can feel the richness
of our own local heritage.
In playing the role of a cultural and artistic patron, I tread a delicate line
between trying to best understand the art and culture I invite into our town and
becoming too involved and possibly biased through my engagement with the arts.
When dealing with strong willed artists, you can't have too solid a stance of
your own or else you risk brushing up against them. From this position, where
I seek to understand but I know that I am still ignorant of so much, I will try
to do my best.
It is with this in mind that I invite you to enjoy the new tradition of Obusession.
From the planning project of Nikkei BP, Sarah Marie Cummings, "Obusession
2001-2002" |
