Ichigo Ichie: Hana to Mi is an intimate documentary that opens a window into the world of Japanese designer Kawasaki Takao. The camera lingers on sunlit Tokyo streets and the calm shores of Naoshima, letting viewers feel the texture of daily life. Inspired by the Japanese idea that each meeting is unique and fleeting, the film captures small moments and quiet rituals that have shaped Kawasaki-san’s journey. It is in these gentle exchanges and wordless pauses that his story quietly unfolds, each scene offering a glimpse of the depth behind his creative vision.

At the heart of the film is the metaphor of Hana to Mi, or "Flower and Fruit." The flower is what everyone sees—finished designs, moments of recognition, the beauty on the surface. But the fruit grows slowly and quietly, nurtured by years of memories, friendships, and inspiration. The film looks past the obvious and explores the roots that feed each creation, uncovering the human story that sustains Kawasaki-san’s work.

Director Peggy Lui focuses on the everyday poetry in Kawasaki-san’s world. Instead of retelling past achievements, she joins him in the present: the soft sound of paper, the quiet of the studio, the gentle rhythm of his work. Her approach invites viewers to notice the subtle details and honest moments that reveal Kawasaki-san’s way of seeing and living.

Filmed in Tokyo, Naoshima, and other places woven into his story, Ichigo Ichie: Hana to Mi sees design not as a finished product, but as something that grows from a life well lived. The film does not try to define Kawasaki-san. Instead, it invites us to witness fragments of his journey—a life shaped by memory, connection, and time—always mysterious, always unfolding.

Director and written by Peggy Lui

Equipment supported by FujiFilm.

Film Releases: 2026