Like a secret base, "Hattifnatt's General Store" in Kichijoji
This time, En'uchi caught wind of a general store in Kichijoji, a mecca for general merchandise lovers, that is perfect for treasure hunting. It is called "Hattifnatt's General Store. Rumor has it that the store's mysterious interior will make you feel like you have wandered into a forest. Let's set out in search of a wonderful treasure!
We arrived at "Hattifnatt's General Store" in Kichijoji.
Walking along the railroad for about 7 minutes from JR Kichijoji North Exit, we found "Hattifnatt's General Store".
There it is! ...and this is the cafe next door, Hattifnatt
Even before the store opened, several customers were waiting in line in front of the store.
This is "Hattifnatt's General Store."
The interior of the store is quite mysterious. Crouching down to pass through the small door at the entrance, one is greeted by many wooden boxes. The mezzanine floor up the stairs is also lined with crates, with the checkout on the side. The loft, up an even steeper flight of stairs, is also lined with products.
When you enter the store, you'll see a wall full of crates.
The loft is also full of artwork.
Watch out for steep stairs.
The crates lining the walls display accessories, ornaments, pouches, and other miscellaneous goods. These sundries are all handmade by the artist. Each crate is a store for the artists, and although small, they are a sight to behold.
Each artist has a different display and assortment of products.
In this issue, we would like to find Enuchi's top three favorite sundries among the works in the store!
Top 3 Favorite Sundries
◆No.3 Brooch with the hiragana character "A"
We chose this avant-garde brooch with the hiragana character "A" designed on it as our No. 3 item. It is a work by an artist named Izumisaya.
"That's wacky." "That's fun."
The "A" has been described in various ways, such as "eccentric," "joyful," and "reserved. Although all of them are the same "A," the size of the letters and the shapes of the figures that are close together give the impression that the design is exactly as the title suggests.
Wear the "A" of who you want to be.
◆No. 2 Bread magnets
The second place winner is a very realistic bread shaped magnet created by Boo bee.
Realistic magnets that make bread lovers fainting in agony.
As you can see, it is very small, but it is very detailed! Even the burn marks are so realistic, it looks as if a real loaf of bread has been reduced to its original size. There were some assorted ones and some that came in a set of two breads.
The same person also created a taiyaki brooch.
◆No.1: Badge of unimportance
And the first place winner was a canned badge named "Badge of unimportance". It is a work of Mr. Nagaki Perm.
The "Badge of Unimportance" with its enigmatic charm
The box in which the badge is sold is an unusual drawer-type display. At a quick glance, you can't tell what kind of work is in the box, but you can't help but want to open the drawer.
Drawer-style type display Loose labels are also interesting!
Inside are badges and hair bands.
These are Enouchi's top three favorite sundries. How was it? There are still many more pieces that we couldn't show you, and new ones are being added every day. When to go and what kind of work you can find is part of the treasure hunt. We invite you to explore the store where your own treasures await.
Use a stepladder for high works.
What kind of store is "Hattifnatt's General Store"?
We interviewed Ms. Komura, the store manager.
◆What is the concept of the store?
En'uchi: Please tell us about the concept of your store.
Ms. Komura: "The store is inspired by a secret base in a forest full of greenery. The concept is to let customers find their own treasures in the various boxes inside."
En'uchi: Indeed, the unusual structure of the store fits the image of a secret base. What are the key points?
Komura: "The doors are small and the stairs are steep. I want the customers to feel like a child again when they pass through the small door."
It's hard to tell from the picture, but the door is high enough that an adult would have to bend down to get in.
◆Why did you start a general store?
En'uchi: Is there a reason why you started the store?
Ms. Komura: "Originally, I had a gallery and exhibited artists' works at the cafe "Hattifnatt" in Kichijoji and Koenji. We also sold a few items there."
Enouchi: Do you think of it as an expansion of the gallery?
Mr. Komura: "Yes, that's right. A gallery is a gallery (*), but we hope to become a general store where artists can start and expand in various ways."
(* Currently, gallery exhibits are only available at the Koenji store.)
◆What kind of artists' works do you have?
En'uchi: What kind of artists' works do you carry?
Ms. Komura: "Most of them are artists who make handmade one-of-a-kind items. When we first opened, we had many artists who exhibited their works in the galleries of cafes in Kichijoji and Koenji, customers of the cafes, neighbors, etc. Now we carry works by a wide variety of artists, including those who were introduced to us by artists and those who learned about us through the Internet."
Mr. Komura, the manager. Thank you very much!
Hattifnatt's General Store is a secret base-like store filled with handmade goods. The pieces are all one-of-a-kind, so you can't miss a single one. It's a great place to get lost in a forest of colorful works of art and enjoy the thrill of being a child, just like a treasure hunter.
