An interview with a Shimanean: Noriko Takano Interview by Rose Tanasugarn Noriko Takano is a native of Hamada. After attending Tsurubunka University in Yamanashi Prefecture, she worked for a few years in Tokyo. Ten years ago, she returned to Shimane to help open the Hamada Children's Museum of Art, where she has been curator since 1996. Together with the museum staff, Ms. Takano has organized unique exhibitions of world-class artists and leads fun and creative workshops for the residents of western Shimane.

How did you become interested in becoming a curator?
In my college days, I visited various museums around Japan and was greatly impressed by the exhibits I saw. My museum tour inspired me to take an exam and obtain a license as a museum curator. Although I didn’t work in the art field right after graduating, I hoped to one day put my license to use. When I heard that Hamada was opening a museum, I put in my application, landed the job, and returned to Shimane.

What is the best thing about your job?
There are so many things I love about my job, but the best part is being able to meet people of all ages, from all over the world. I have made many good friends through my work at the museum. That’s a wonderful side benefit of my job.

What is your hope as curator of the Hamada Children’s Museum of Art?
I would love for first-time visitors to become fans of the museum and keep returning. For return visitors, I hope that every visit provides them with enjoyment and exciting activities. As we museum staffers are like a close family, this is a pleasurable challenge. We are all quite supportive of each other, and try as best we can to turn our ideas into fun museum events. For example, one such annual event is the Museum’s Art Festival. This year, it will be held on Sunday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We will have music, arts and crafts booths, games, and food. Please come!

Please tell us about the history of the Hamada Independents Art Exhibition.

When the museum first opened, one wish we had was to somehow bring the children of the world together. We wondered how we could introduce the children of Hamada to their peers. The easiest way was to invite children from around the world to share their artistic talents. Our first exhibition was in 1997, with works from Hamada, other parts of Japan, and three foreign countries. Last year’s exhibition featured works from sixteen countries. We hope to expand the number of countries represented in the 9th Hamada Independents Art Exhibition this fall.

What word would you choose to describe Shimane?
Hmmm, that’s a difficult question! For me, the kanji for life (iki, sei) has a lot of meaning. Shimane is both where I was born and where I gave birth to my son Kohei. It is where I live, and where I hope to see people continuing to live. Shimane faces challenges with its declining population, but I hope that people will discover for themselves that it is a wonderful place to live.

The Hamada Children’s Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30 to 17:00. For more information on the Summer Festival or the 9th Hamada Independents Art Exhibition, please visit the museum’s homepage.