Rose is the symbol flower of TAKASHIMAYA, the long-established department store.
' Rose-chan ' appeared as the mascot character in 1962,
designed originally by the painter TAKAOKA Tokutaro.
Rose-chan has shown us the various fashion and action in the history.
Sometimes she looks a little girl and the other times a boy,
or a naked baby, a princess, an athlete, and so on.
Now, Rose-chan has been dressed in the blossom
of the symbol tree of Futako-tamagawa, Hanamizuki, i.e. dogwood.
Hanamizuki Rose-chan is the original character of TAKASHIMAYA Tamagawa store
designed by a member of the staff through internal competition
and illustrated by UMEKAWA Kimiko.
I feel it's like a relay.
Then I've been passed the baton
of the history and relationship of a department store
with the customers, with the town and the environment.
The offer for me in this time is making an art work
based on ISHIKAWA Kazuharu's unique and free interpretation.
The live drawing was like a improvisation with a sheet music for me.
The white wall and the spot light,
the comfortable atmosphere full of sincerity in the store and smiles of audience
must have had some influence on my line.
I made it with respect for everyone’s love for Rose-chan .
* You can see various Rose-chan at Takashimaya Archives...
>> https://www.takashimaya.co.jp/shiryokan/index.html