March 28 was a joyous day, as it marked both the grand opening celebration for Bizen-san and the book launch party for Ms. Sumii.

First up is the opening reception party for Bizen Art Tattoo Studio’s new branch in Gion, Kyoto. Bizen Art is a tattoo studio that blends art and tattooing; it has already garnered significant attention in Tokyo’s Omotesando and Shibuya districts, and is led by tattoo artist Bizen san. With a management policy that includes screening potential clients and strictly excluding members of antisocial groups, the studio is striving to create a new cultural movement in Japan that goes beyond mere fashion.

The new Kyoto studio will open on April 10 in the Gion Shinbashi area along the Shirakawa River, a neighborhood brimming with the charm of traditional Kyoto townhouses. While we were there, we ran into Naoya—a photographer and fellow bar-hopping buddy—who happens to be involved with the project!

Passing through a narrow alley lined with an incredible number of congratulatory flower arrangements from celebrities, we arrived at a studio on the second floor of a traditional Kyoto townhouse at the end of the street, which had been renovated with a sophisticated design. There, a steady stream of guests was arriving to offer their congratulations.

When Shiozawa handed Mr. Bijan a catalog of his representative works, Mr. Bijan was delighted, and Shiozawa said, “Let’s do something new and unprecedented together!” and made a promise with him.

We hurried to the book launch party for Keiko Sumii, president of Komaruya, a fan manufacturer, held at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto.

The celebratory cello and violin performance highlighted Ms. Sumii’s extensive network of artistic connections. The event featured a welcoming address by Chief Priest Nomura of Yasaka Shrine, which included some entertaining anecdotes, and was attended by a distinguished gathering of chief priests and head monks from Kyoto’s shrines and temples, as well as prominent business leaders, all of whom came together to celebrate President Sumii.

The book, titled *Honno uchiwano goen banashi: The 400-Year History of Komaruya Sumii*, chronicles the history of the Sumii family—who have carried on Kyoto’s traditions for generations—and shares Mr. Sumii’s dedication to preserving that culture.

We met with Chief Priest Nomura for the first time in a while and caught up with him.

Today, we had the pleasure of meeting many people and forging new connections.

Thank you, President Sumii. Once again, congratulations on the publication.