Work, housework, things that need to be done...
In the midst of busy days, do you have time to take a breather?
When I want to switch my mindset, I read a book at a café.
However, when I'm busy, I tend to put my own time on the back burner.
I wanted time to calm my mind, and at that moment, I learned that the private library "26th Reading Room" was holding an event called "Shosha Club" where people could freely read and write.
The 26th Reading Room is a quiet space lined with books.
It seems like an event held there would allow for a relaxed time.
With anticipation, I participated in the Shosha Club held on March 9, 2025 (Sunday).
What is the Shosha Club at the 26th Reading Room?
The Shosha Club is a free event where you can read books, write diaries, and letters in Tamashima, a town where traditional scenery remains.
The Shosha Club is held irregularly, and no reservation is required; you can participate hands-free.
The venue is the "26th Reading Room" located in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
It is a private library run by Mr. Yasuhara, who is also the organizer of the Shosha Club.
The Shosha Club started from the organizer's desire to incorporate reading and writing time into daily life.
For someone like me who loves to read books leisurely, it is a very attractive event.
I participated in the Shosha Club
I saw on the 26th Reading Room's Instagram that the event would be held on March 9, 2025 (Sunday), so I decided to participate right away.
The atmosphere of the 26th Reading Room venue
In early March, under the warm sunlight, I headed towards the 26th Reading Room while gazing at the townscape of Tamashima.
As I walked relying on the address, I found a sign that served as a landmark.
As I entered, I found a quiet room typical of a Japanese house, with one table and two counter seats.
On the bookshelves, there are books related to the local area and Mr. Yasuhara's personal collection.
Books with price tags can also be purchased.
Entering a space surrounded by books, did I feel a sense of calm that was unique to me?
I informed the organizer that I would like to participate in the Shosha Club, and he briefly explained the purpose of the event.
Introduction of the paper set
The Shosha Club is an event where participants can freely read and write.
You can bring your favorite notebook to the venue or purchase a paper set (including tax 300 yen) on the day.
You can borrow pens, fountain pens, and brush pens, so you can participate hands-free.
I wanted to spend time writing, so I purchased one paper set.
Here is the paper set I purchased.
The paper set includes washi paper, free paper-like sheets, music sheets, and tracing manuscript paper.
What particularly caught my attention in the paper set was the tracing manuscript paper.
A passage from a novel is printed in faint letters on the manuscript paper.
It is called tracing manuscript paper because you trace the printed letters.
Even if you are told you can write freely, you might not know what to write...
Even if you have such anxiety, tracing seems to be an easy starting point.
The printed text is a passage from "A Landscape with Peaches" by Kanoko Okamoto.
When selecting works, they value seasonal feelings and landscapes or thoughts that resonate with the present.
This time, a scene of peach blossoms was depicted, and I was told that there are similar landscapes nearby.
Perhaps the landscapes seen in the past and present are similar.
Thinking about such things makes the work feel closer to me.
After hearing the explanation of the paper set, it was time to write.
Actually writing
I decided to write on the tracing manuscript paper with the ballpoint pen I brought.
It has been ages since I traced an example like this, probably since elementary school.
If I let my guard down, the letters would shift, so it surprisingly required concentration.
While writing, I could hear the quiet music and the steam escaping from the pot on the stove.
The road in front of the reading room had little traffic, allowing me to write in peace.
Mr. Yasuhara was also writing on a blackboard and tracing a passage from "The Tale of Genji" with a brush pen.
The name "26th Reading Room" was taken from the name of the storehouse visible from the reading room.
Tamashima, where the reading room is located, was a prosperous town as a port, and there used to be many storehouses.
Occasionally, casual conversations would start, and then we would return to writing... By the time I finished the tracing manuscript paper, an hour had passed.
Not feeling like an hour had passed is probably a sign of concentration.
By stepping away from the hectic daily life and slowly writing letters, I was able to spend peaceful time.
I also felt a sense of accomplishment from completing the tracing, and I believe it was a good time.
Time for reading and chatting after finishing writing
After finishing the tracing manuscript paper, I read books available in Room 26 while learning about the history of Tamashima in Kurashiki City from Mr. Yasuhara.
In past calligraphy club sessions, it seems that after writing for about an hour, we would read and chat.
During the session, a neighbor casually stopped by and chatted warmly with Mr. Yasuhara.
It's wonderful to have a place where you can drop by and talk even without a prior appointment.
Even on days when the calligraphy club is not held, you can freely drop by during the opening hours of Room 26.
Since the reading room's opening days are irregular, please check for announcements on Instagram.
Conclusion
At the calligraphy club, I was able to spend a relaxed time away from the busy daily life.
It was pleasant to have time to focus solely on writing the characters in front of me in a quiet space.
Moreover, with the tracing manuscript paper, even those who are unsure of what to write can participate with peace of mind.
In Room 26, calligraphy clubs and events related to books will continue to be held in the future.
If you love writing and reading, please consider joining us.
Data for the "Calligraphy Club" hosted by Room 26
| Name | Calligraphy Club hosted by Room 26 |
|---|---|
| Date | March 9, 2025 (Sunday) 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Location | 1-15-11 Chuo-cho, Tamashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Website | Room 26 Instagram |
