Appearing together with their toy poodle named “Hakumai” (White Rice) were journalist Seiichi Kanise and his actress/dancer daughter Rena.
For the Kanise family, this rich green venue, within ready walking distance of their residence, has reportedly become an everyday landscape. Rena, in particular, says she visits here almost daily.
“I usually take walks here with Hakumai, but also come while grocery shopping with my mother, to drop by a cafe for a cup of coffee and so forth. Even if I’m not running an errand or have some particular purpose in mind, I often come here anyway. Remaining in spaces surrounded by buildings and asphalt for too long can grow oppressive, so it is a real relief to have a place full of greenery like this, despite its location right at the heart of Tokyo. The many trees growing here are naturally an attraction, and I deeply appreciate the sense of how the local people are enjoying relaxed and comfortable lives. This is an atmosphere that could never be described as cold or unfeeling. Gazing at people communing with the green vista here gives me a sense of liberation in my own heart as well.”

Appearing with a book tucked under his arm, Seiichi Kanise settles into the space under the clear blue skies as if he has entered his own study.
“Whenever I have the time, I sit down on a bench under the trees to read a book, listen to music or otherwise unwind. I could do the same things at home, but basking in the midst of nature brings a whole different nuance to the activities. I link this to the fact that, in days of old, people actually lived in the woods and the woods was a safe place for them to be. The sensations of those times have been imprinted in our DNA, meaning that even today people become relaxed and secure in locations rich in greenery. Feeling relieved when we gaze at nature is a reaction rooted in the instincts that human beings have fostered since ancient times.”
Mr. Kanise, in addition to Tokyo, also maintains a home in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, thereby leading a multi-habitation lifestyle.
“Spending my weekends in Karuizawa, some people may think that I head up there to kick back in my off time. To me, however, being in Karuizawa is also on time. In that sense, I draw power from the greenery in central Tokyo and the greenery in Karuizawa as well. In my life, green is a truly indispensable presence.”

It would appear that the impact of living abroad has also been a factor in transforming the time spent in the midst of greenery into such a natural part of daily life for Seiichi and Rena Kanise.
“Back when I was living in England, there were plenty of local people who enjoyed taking walks around the surrounding area. Much of that owes to the fact that there are so many parks within London city limits good for such outings. People tend to go there as a natural matter of course. English gardens, meanwhile, are designed to not to demand extensive hands-on care, driven by the concept of enjoying wild flora in its natural state. Even in the very same spot, spring brings fresh green growth, autumn the changing of the colors in the leaves, along with other opportunities to savor the diversified and direct expressions of nature unique to each of the four seasons.”
“I also spent time living abroad in England to pursue my ballet. Unlike my father, who was in London, I stayed in the countryside. There as well, though, I was deeply impressed by the abundant natural settings and the transformation of the seasonal landscapes. These images stayed with me after I returned to Japan as well, where I also became more keenly aware of the turning of the seasons.”
“There are trees in the places where we regularly go, and trees that can be seen from our home. The same trees change in color each autumn, with the shades always differing from year to year.”
Mr. Kanise and Rena nod to each other fondly as they recall such images. These scenes from episodes in everyday life are steeped in the same green shades, and carry their own places in time. Such opulent yet casual lifestyles may very well lie right next door to where we live.