“A Small Dream in a Big City”

The country in which I was born, Japan, is in fact made up of about 70% of mountainous areas. Additionally, 25 million hectares of vast forests encompass the island archipelago. This is equating to two-thirds of Japan’s total land area. This, compared to the rest of the world, results in Japan coming in second in terms of total percentage of forested land just after Finland. The reason for Japan cultivating a lush forest is due to its abundant water sources, rainfall, and a warm and humid climate. And since ancient time, the people of Japan have had a very intimate relationship with the forest and trees. The capital city of Tokyo, in contrast, is one such place in Japan where forests are almost non-existent. Along with the Greater Tokyo Area expanding and modernizing exponentially, in the heart of the city, towering skyscrapers fill the sky where trees used to do many centuries ago. A small corner where time stops and silence among a never sleeping city. A place where one can rest quietly in the forest and snuggle up to the trees. A place to leave modern life behind and travel to the forest that used to be. This is what I longed for and what I wanted to create. However, it is with great sorrow that I cannot lead you to that place as these visions are not only but a dream, but another’s dream. The architect to the designs, the man to manifest visions, the creator in essence. He works tirelessly in the depths of the sea of brick and mortar and he is the one who dreams to bring delight to this grey world. And his name is Ogura, the head of the establishment. It was just a dream. Can such a small dream move the people’s hearts? If it can, who will it move? What will it move? A question for the ages. Because it is I that was one of the first to be moved by his insignificant dream. But the power I had was too small to create what he envisioned. With the help of other visioners, slowly, we started to cultivate what could be. Not only the bartenders here, but also the people who sew the very fabric they wear, or blow the glass they use, the paintings and photos they display. Each of these people share the images of the long-forgotten trees and forests of the ancient times, and they all bring their magic to the drinks he makes. This is what we call ‘composition’. So to you, who made it this far, who took the time to read our covenant, we thank you, and hope that you too can see through the lenses that we live life through.