Born and raised in Tokyo, Takashi Ikezawa grew up beneath the looming shadow of beautiful Mount Fuji, but was never very interested in spending time outdoors. As a teenager, however, when he decided it was time to try something new, he did not have to look very far for inspiration: he became intent on climbing the mountain. After six years of frequent hikes on Mount Fuji, Ikezawa was offered a position as an official mountain guide. Ultimately, it was through these four years of experience as a guide that Ikezawa developed a particularly profound love and pride for Japanese culture.
A man of many interests, Ikezawa was also fascinated by the Stock Exchange, and after graduation he moved to New York to follow this passion. While working as an analyst on Wall Street, he told members of the Manhattan Sideways team that his goal was to open his own business. He found himself constantly watching the markets while meeting other highly motivated people - he was waiting for the perfect moment to jump in and embrace his entrepreneurial spirit. In the end, though, the momentum to start a business did not come from Wall Street, but rather from Japan: In 2011, when the Tsunami caused a crisis in his home-country, Ikezawa began to ask himself what he could contribute to those in need. He watched as people in New York took to the streets to raise money for Japan, but felt - alongside immense appreciation - that he was not needed for this task. During the coverage of the Tsunami and following support efforts, Ikezawa began to notice a general unfamiliarity with Japanese culture, and it was in this knowledge-gap that he discovered his place: Having grown up in an artistic family studying violin since age four, Ikezawa felt at this point in his life that the best contribution he could make was to increase awareness and dialogue about Japanese arts and tradition. Later that same year, Resobox was born.
Resobox, which now has multiple locations across the city, aims not just to create a better understanding of Japanese arts as they have existed in the past, but also to contribute to the development of their future. While the central focus of Resobox is on artists working within Japanese traditions, Ikezawa believes that in our globalized world every culture can benefit from collaboration, and he hopes that anyone who participates in the work of Resobox will bring his or her personal background to the table - whatever it may be. By learning from one another, he says, we can watch the future of our cultures develop before our very eyes.
Each week, Resobox hosts a variety of different workshops, spanning crafts to dance to painting to the cultural traditions surrounding Sake. There are also additional spaces available at Resobox that can be used for larger events or parties. If one is not looking to participate or happen to have just a few minutes between meetings and responsibilities, they are invited to stop by to have a coffee or tea in the cafe at the front of the Chelsea location and check out the monthly exhibition.