The Arrival of Autumn and Welcoming a New Mizuya Tansu
It feels as though summer was rather short this year.
When the morning and evening breezes begin to carry the scent of autumn, just as we change our wardrobes, I find myself wanting to refresh the atmosphere inside my home. Rearranging furniture, swapping out small decor pieces.
This autumn, setting up my home in this way has been even more exciting than usual.
Actually, around spring of this year, through a fortunate connection, I decided to pass on the Mizuya Tansu I had lovingly used to its next owner. Afterward, Mr. Ushimaru from "Wormhole Furniture," who always helps me, found a new one for me. The other day, this long-awaited piece finally arrived at my home.
Taller than my previous one and boasting more storage capacity, it allows my favorite dishware to be stored spaciously.
The term "Mizuya" originally refers to a kitchen or a preparation area for the tea ceremony. Furniture used in these spaces to store dishware and utensils came to be known as a "Mizuya Tansu" (water cabinet).
The cabinet I welcomed this time has been repainted from its original wood texture to a deep black.
Perhaps due to its height, its dignified presence when placed in the room offers a completely different charm from my previous one.
What draws me in most, however, is the old glass fitted into its doors.
I was told it could have been replaced with new glass, but I chose to keep the original glass exactly as it was.
Looking closely, the surface is not perfectly uniform; tiny air bubbles are trapped here and there, and the scenery through it appears to sway and ripple. When peering at the dishware through this glass, their outlines gently blur, enveloping them in an indescribably soft atmosphere.
It is a rich expression that brand-new modern glass simply cannot replicate, possessed only by things that have weathered a long stretch of time.
As I gaze at the dishware I’ve slowly collected, my heart skips a beat every time I open the doors, imagining how I might rearrange them to match the changing seasons.
My First Clip Lamp and How It Feels to Use It
Another new addition to our life at home is a clip lamp.
The desk I currently use is on the smaller side, so placing a regular desk lamp always made my workspace feel cramped. That was my dilemma when Mr. Ushimaru suggested this lamp to me.
To be honest, I had little familiarity with clip-on lighting before this, and when I first heard the idea, it didn't quite click for me. However, once I actually brought it home, I found it surprisingly easy to use.
Because it clamps directly onto the edge of the tabletop, it requires no space for a base, keeping even a small desk feeling uncluttered.
It is a vintage piece produced around the 1950s by the Danish lighting manufacturer, RIJO. The slender, elongated stem is striking, giving the overall presence a very light and airy feel. The aluminum parts at the joints provide a subtle accent, and its form, composed of fine lines, holds a minimalist beauty.
When we think of old lighting, we often imagine something heavy with a strong presence, but this piece doesn't assert itself too much, blending seamlessly into the desk area. Its appeal lies not only in its visual beauty but also in its ability to make clever use of limited space—a charm I only fully appreciated after using it.
Neither the Mizuya Tansu nor the lamp I welcomed this time are new pieces of furniture made for our modern lives.
Originally, they were used in someone's home long ago, or fulfilled a role in a workplace.
Having spent so much time in the world, they have made their way to me and are here now.
They may have small scratches or slightly faded areas, but I find myself feeling a deep affection for them, traces and all.
Autumn has deepened, and the sun sets much earlier now.
In the evening, as the room gradually grows dark, I turn on the lamp.Beyond its soft glow, the dishware lined up in the Mizuya Tansu quietly emerges from the shadows. Rather than changing the room drastically, it feels as though the new furniture and light have settled perfectly into the everyday scenery that was already there, adding just a little more depth to the view.
As the season deepens further, the lineup of dishware in the Mizuya Tansu will surely change as well. Picturing these small, modest changes while arranging my home during the long autumn nights has become my own secret pleasure.
