Roundtable: Young Women Designers Speak (1956)

Moderator:

Kon Wajirō, Professor of Architecture at Waseda University

Clothing and Accessories:

Aoki Ikuko, Renown Labs (Renaun Kenkyūshitsu); Graduate of the Design Department of Joshibi College of Art and Design (Joshi Bijutsu Daigaku)

Furniture:

Matsuzawa Hatsue, Inoue Kazunori Architectural Firm; Graduate of the Life Arts Department of Japan Women's University (Nihon Joshi Daigaku)

Advertising:

Okuno Reiko, San-Ai Co., Ltd., Advertising Department; Graduate of the Design Department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (Tokyo Bijutsu Gakkō)

Homes:

Nakahara Nobuko, Ikebe Kiyoshi Architectural Firm; Graduate of the Musashi Institute of Technology (Musashi Kōgyō Daigaku)

Stage Design:

Nagase Sachiko, Yoshida Kenkichi Set Design Institute; Graduate of Dressmaker Women's Academy (Doresumēkā Jogakuin)

Words from the Moderator

Kon:

I studied design forty-some-odd years ago, but as I've grown older, I feel that I have forgotten some of its particular hardships. Yet, I have had some amount of experience each with architecture, interior design, clothing design, and stage design; work that always made me question just what design is. In any case, the scope of design is broad; so broad that there is no product connected to our daily lives, indeed no product at all, that isn't somehow related to design, and because of that I don't regret having studied design in my youth. These days I study something like everyday life itself, which can be said to be the foundation for design.¹ As a craftsman I have done various things, including more technical work and architecture, but I do not view myself as working in the front lines of design.

In recent times, many women have developed an interest in design jobs and studying design. Today I would like you to speak about things that could be useful for those thinking of stepping into and learning about the world of design. I wish to hear everyone's point of view, so please speak without reserve. First, Ms. Aoki, please start by telling us about your workplace.

From School to Workplace

Aoki:

It's actually only been half a year since I started working.

Kon:

Were you born in Tokyo?

Aoki:

I was born in Osaka, and went to Tokyo later. Then we evacuated to Niigata because of the war, and I graduated from high school there. I first entered the fashion department of a junior college, where I stayed in the dorms. I then studied dressmaking for two years and was admitted as a third-year student in the design department.

Kon:

Was your dressmaking teacher Kuwasawa Yōko?²

Aoki:

Yes. I also learned various things from my teachers Kōno Takashi, Yura Reikichi, Arai Sen, and Norimatsu Iwao while studying dressmaking from Kuwasawasensei.

I graduated this March and joined the research labs at Renown.³ I make various things for Renown. I am in charge of products for women in general, but I deal mostly with things like sweater or underwear design.

Kon:

I would like to ask you some more questions later, but for now, Ms. Matsuzawa?

Matsuzawa:

I graduated three years ago from the Life Arts Department of Japan Women's University. I entered Arita Architectural Firm through the connections of my drafting teacher, Chūzenji-sensei. I left Arita two months ago to join the Inoue Architectural Design Office,⁴ where I am now.

I have been working with furniture and interior design, but at the moment I'm willing to try just about anything.

Kon:

Are you a Tokyoite?

Matsuzawa:

Yes, I think I fall within the Tokyoite category. During the war, we relocated to Yamanashi, but I'm a native of Tokyo.

Kon:

Ms. Okuno, a word from you?

Okuno:

Soon after leaving the design department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, I entered San-Ai in Ginza.⁵ I graduated in March of 1952.

Kon:

Was that after it had changed to the Tokyo University of Arts (Tōkyō Geijutsu Daigaku)?

Okuno:

Yes, I was there the last year of its existence as the Tokyo School of Fine Arts

(Tokyo Bijutsu Gakkō).⁶

Kon...