COMMUNICATIONS

On 13 October, we invited the fashion designer Koshino Hiroko to Nichibunken, and were lucky enough to be able to speak with her on stage at our auditorium. The topic was “Japanese Fashion Travels the World: from the Past to the Future.” Her interlocutors were Nichibunken Professors Liu Jianhui and yours truly.

These sorts of gatherings are meant to be academic. We had planned for the event to be open to scholars only. But Ms. Koshino is a well-known fashion designer. People would be keen to come if they knew Ms. Koshino was making an appearance. Therefore, we changed our original approach, and allowed local residents to also attend.

Because we sent out notices at the last minute, there were not that many people in attendance. But there was a woman in the audience wearing items Koshino-designed clothing. At the reception desk, she pointed to her own outfit and, with obvious delight, declared, “This is Hiroko Koshino!”

I took that on board. We were able to bring a little happiness to some locals. That is good. In the future, too, I am determined we shall foster similar moments of contact.