After 20 years in the UK, I've returned to Japan and launched my own website, "THE FORGE."

I've been living in Burghley House, a 16th-century aristocratic mansion, for the past 17 years, living a dream life immersed in antiques from morning to night. I absolutely love antiques, and before I knew it, my entire life—my home, my work, and my daily life—was saturated with them. This love was evident from a young age, when I would visit my grandparents' house and wander into the storehouses and unused rooms where antiques were stored, becoming so engrossed I'd lose track of time, searching for anything that caught my eye.

My first encounter with Western antiques was at the age of 22, studying English in the UK. Wherever I visited, I always saw antiques, and I was amazed to see that they were actually being used. Until then, I had always thought of antiques as something separate from everyday life, something to be collected or enjoyed, but when I experienced a lifestyle in which antiques were naturally integrated into everyday life, I was instantly captivated. My passion for antiques continued even after I returned to Japan, and at the age of 29, I decided to become an antique furniture restorer and moved to the UK alone. I've lived in the UK for over 20 years, deepening my understanding of antiques through my daily interactions with them.

Working as a restorer, I've accumulated information and insights into the period's characteristics, such as structure, materials, texture, condition, and design, gained through direct contact with each object. This knowledge is also supplemented by knowledge gained from books and conversations with dealers. I believe that an antique dealer needs three essential skills: "knowledge about antiques," "the ability to discern antiques," and "the connections needed to buy, sell, and have antiques restored." I can confidently say that over the past 20 years, I've spent building these skills.

The term "antiques" encompasses a wide range of types, fields, and eras, and most so-called dealers have their own areas of expertise. However, because I have a strong curiosity for old and unknown things and a wide range of interests, my areas of expertise are also diverse. As a result, I've developed a wide network of British dealers, from those dealing in general antiques to those specializing in rare and ultra-luxury items. I also feel that my knowledge is broadening and deepening every day as I exchange opinions with these dealers and am asked for my opinion.

In the UK, it seems that a cycle has been established in which old things are passed down to the next generation, regardless of whether they have antique value or not. They are passed down from generation to generation, and if they break, they are repaired and used, and when they are no longer needed, they are passed down to someone else who needs them. I sense a kind of attachment or respect for old things in this. Old things are left as they are, and their "antiquity" is cherished. Every small scratch is part of the item's unique character and proof that it has lived a long time. I would like to spread not only antiques but also this "spirit of cherishing antiquity" in Japan.