This August, we held a special exhibition at our gallery. As it was a scaled-down event, we decided to proceed without additional staff, relying on our usual setup. However, due to lingering side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, my wife was unable to assist as planned—so our high school–aged daughter kindly stepped in to help on short notice.
It was our first time welcoming guests with just my daughter and myself, and I had some concerns beforehand. But thanks to the kindness and generosity of those who visited, those worries quickly proved unfounded.
One of our long-time patrons, to whom we are always deeply grateful, kindly visited us during the exhibition. Though it was their first time meeting my daughter, they warmly engaged her in conversation. During our exchange, they shared a remarkable story: years ago, they had come into possession—albeit indirectly—of a piece bearing the tag of my father, Hiroshi Imabayashi, the founder of our gallery. Moved by this connection, they later entrusted that precious work to my daughter, saying, “If you have an interest in art, may you carry this forward with the memory of your grandfather.”
It was our first time receiving such a heartfelt connection—passed from father to daughter through the kindness of a guest. I felt my eyes welling up, deeply moved, and reminded once again that it is our customers who nurture and support us. Seeing my father’s familiar handwriting after so long brought back many memories. As we shared a seasonal sweet and a quiet bowl of tea, my daughter and I felt a moment of true happiness. We are sincerely grateful for such warm and thoughtful generosity.
“The Wind of Tenpyō” is a column written with heartfelt gratitude to all those who have been part of Tenpyodō’s journey. Each encounter, each memory—gently accompanied by a quiet breeze.