The Space at Kamakura

We think the most important thing for a shop is to have a sense of space.

For example, a store filled to the brim with fixtures and a selection of goods that seem to fill it up. This may be a kind of "general store" that is interesting like a treasure hunt. Or a store with neatly arranged shelves, clear divisions, and visually easy to understand with POP and text information. These may be classified as just "stores" such as supermarkets and home improvement centers. If you ask whether these stores have a sense of space, we don't think so. If a store is filled with goods, it can be said to create a world view, but on the other hand, it can be perceived as a feeling of oppression. Not only will your attention be focused on the goods, but there will always be things that you overlook. On the other hand, in stores such as supermarkets, the space as a customer's flow line is emphasized, but it seems that little attention is paid to the space itself. Of course, we are not denying these stores. The reason we started amanai was because we wanted to create a shop that was different from those and was integrated into the space.

So what is we definition of "space"? It can be rephrased as "white space" or "traces." First of all, white space is created by significantly reducing the number of items. Not only can you concentrate on the items, but we also try to make you feel a certain tension that you have to look closely. The creators must have some kind of philosophy or idea in mind when they send things out into the world. We think that a "space" is a place to listen to those ideas. And white space draws your attention to the walls, ceilings, and other objects. By looking at the traces there, you can get a glimpse of the changes that the space has undergone and the regional characteristics. We think that it is only when you feel a connection to the region and encounter good things and good staff that you think, "I'm glad I visit here."

amanai holds pop-up events and the like on an irregular basis, but we think this is also because we have the "space" to do so as a shop. We introduce a wide variety of items by broadly interpreting everyday items as "everyday goods." People have said that it's "like a gallery" or "like an exhibition of artwork," but for amanai, these are positive words. This is because we envision a space that is a mix of a shop and a gallery, and we occasionally hold exhibitions. While it is a space to introduce items, we also want it to be a space that expresses something. We hope you will continue to look forward to visiting us.

If you would like to hold an event or pop-up shop, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy if you could use this space to express something related to "everyday life" and "things."

amanai
3-1-2 Yuigahama, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture