From the archive, April 1, 2015: a comprehensive spatial coordination project that redefined the relationship between corporate welfare, local community, and art.

The Venue: "Ranzan Cafeteria" as a Gallery

In August 2014, Taiyo Holdings Co., Ltd. opened its new employee cafeteria, "Ranzan Cafeteria," with a visionary concept: "a space that contributes to the local community."

Far from a typical canteen, the space was built using cedar wood from Saitama Prefecture, furnished by local artisans, and serves meals made with local ingredients. It is a sanctuary of warmth and local pride—more like an art museum than a dining hall.

The President's Vision: Art Fuels Innovation

The president of Taiyo Holdings held a strong belief: "By exposing employees to genuine art by local artists, we polish their sensibilities. This, in turn, inspires them to create more creative products for the world."

Resonating deeply with this philosophy, Chosho Yabe was entrusted to curate the calligraphy for the cafeteria's hallway gallery, as well as the entrance hall, the president's office, and the meeting rooms.

Key Works: Four Words for the Space

For each location, a word was chosen to suit the space, centered on the following works:

• "Taiyo" (Sun): the company name and the source of all life, radiating energy at the entrance.
• "So" (Creation): a single character to stir the creative, product-making spirit.
• "Arashi" (Storm): expressing the nature of this place, "Ranzan" (Storm Mountain).
• "Fuku" (Fortune): wishing happiness for everyone who gathers here.

How Calligraphy Adds Spiritual Depth to a Space

In a modern space wrapped in the scent of cedar—where Japanese and Nordic sensibilities meet—the addition of calligraphy brought a new spiritual depth.

Dining, walking down a corridor: in these ordinary moments, art stays close and becomes a source of inspiration for employees. Coordinating an entire space with calligraphy was, for me too, an experience that greatly expanded the possibilities of the art.

Records of artwork commissions and art coordination for corporate spaces are gathered on the ARTWORKS page.

For inquiries about calligraphy coordination or commissioned works for your space, please feel free to contact me.