Anime, manga, modern art. Ikebukuro is a place where various cultures mingle, attracting many tourists every day. But did you know that if you go just a little further from this town, you can reach a place where you can feel the presence of a person who formed the foundation of children's literature in the Meiji and Taisho periods?

Located about an 11-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station and about 4 minutes from the neighboring Mejiro Station is the art gallery "Galleria Akaitori," which opened in 2015. "Galleria" means gallery in Italian.

A place where famous writers and poets joined forces and created the foundations of children's stories and songs.

The name "Akai Tori" (Red Bird) comes from the children's story and song magazine "Akai Tori" which was first published by Suzuki Miekichi in 1918 (Taisho 7). This place is the birthplace of "Akai Tori" and its publisher Akaitorisha, and is also the former home of Suzuki Miekichi, the founder of the magazine (a novelist and children's story writer active during the Meiji and Taisho periods).

At that time, children's songs and fairy tales like those familiar in modern Japan did not yet exist. "Akai Tori" was created with the aim of respecting the individuality and creativity of children and creating highly artistic fairy tales and songs. While Miekichi Suzuki wrote his own works, he also influenced many famous writers and poets, such as Ryunosuke Akutagawa's "The Spider's Thread," Takeo Arishima's "A Bunch of Grapes," and Hakushu Kitahara's "Akai Tori Kotori," leaving behind works that will remain in Japanese history.

After experiencing the disaster, they moved to Mejiro. A gallery run by a husband and wife where diverse art takes flight

The gallery was lit up by sunlight streaming in through the large windows. On the walls were a number of paintings made with ink and pigment. These were works created by Norio Ikumi, the owner of Galleria Akaitori.

▲ Norio and Harue Ikumi of Galleria Akaitori
The painting hanging next to it is "Red Fruit," which won the Minister of Foreign Affairs Award in 2022.

Ikumi-san originally lived with his wife Harue in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture, but the trigger for them to move to this area was the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. After living for several years in their home which was partially destroyed by liquefaction in the earthquake, the couple began looking for a new place to move to. As Ikumi-san's wife Harue attended a girls' high school in Ikebukuro, they were looking for a house in the area and were introduced to the former Akaitorisha Shrine in Mejiro.

"Before we moved here, the wife of Italian literature scholar Ken Chigusa ran an art gallery here. We named the gallery in Italian to pay tribute to Professor Chigusa. We wanted to create a place that young artists could feel comfortable using, so we opened a gallery here."

In addition to paintings and crafts, the gallery has also held jazz concerts and solo exhibitions of anime original drawings and games. They continue to support various artists, regardless of genre, while cherishing their pure hearts, so that they can spread their wings and soar.

"Akai Tori" brings warm connections to people

Ikumi-san initially considered naming the gallery after his grandson. However, he decided on the name "Akai Tori" (Red Bird) to cherish the deep connection between this place and Miekichi Suzuki. He got prior approval from Hiroshima City Central Library, Miekichi Suzuki's hometown, which preserves many documents related to "Akai Tori," and the Toshima Ward Board of Education, which has erected a historical information board at the "Akai Torisha Shrine Ruins."

▲Cover photos of "Akai Tori" displayed in the gallery
Provided by Hiroshima City Central Library.

"Shortly after starting the gallery, I was in Hiroshima on business and stopped by the Hiroshima City Central Library to say hello. By coincidence, the day of Suzuki Miekichi's memorial service was being held, so the library staff guided me to his family temple, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend. This led to an important bond between us, and we still exchange books and materials."

Apparently Miekichi Suzuki's grandson has also visited the gallery. This place is filled with the warm connections with people that Akai Tori has nurtured.

The owner couple's respect and affection connect the cultural history

The concept message of Galleria Akaitori is "Keep the history of this land in your heart." The entrance is decorated with a sign with a red bird motif designed by Ikumi.

"I don't have anything to say about what kind of place I want it to be. I'm just happy if people can sense that it's a small gallery operating in a place with a deep history."

Mr. and Mrs. Ikumi always spoke to us with a smile, and their words were filled with respect and affection for Miekichi Suzuki, his achievements, and the many connections that the Akai Tori brought to life.

The fairy tales and nursery rhymes that surround us today may not have existed if "Akai Tori" had not been created here. Galleria Akai Tori bears the traces of culture that has been passed down from the Meiji and Taisho eras to the Reiwa era.

ギャラリア赤い鳥
電話：03-3565-6101
住所：東京都豊島区目白3-18-7
アクセス：
JR山手線　目白駅より徒歩約4分
各路線　池袋駅より徒歩約11分
HP：http://g-akaitori.com/

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.