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counter to one side of the entrance hall. We were not allowed to enter until the opening ceremony at 10 sharp, when a male executive came out, looked at the "opening hours" signboard outside the entrance, and then placed himself in the centre, flanked by the two girls. Together, they bowed us into the building.
Much more was in store for us. As usual, all the employees, male and female, and there were very many of them, standing in their sections. Being among the first customers, we received many bows and gracious words of welcome. Similarly, at each escalator level, more floor staff together with executives waited to receive us as we ascended to the first and second floors. Meanwhile, an organ began to play. First (presumably) came the Japanese national anthem and (perhaps) the Company's own song, and then a selection of “vintage” Western songs of the type popular before the Second World War. Advancing to the balcony, and looking down, I was astounded to see a large assembly hall at ground level, with a huge multi-coloured wooden religious carving in the centre and a large painting (in fact, two, as it was paralleled by another on the opposite wall, hidden from my view). The organist was there, placed high up behind the carving. Looking up, I saw the coloured glass roof of the building high above me and each succeeding upper floor. The whole, being old and opulent, together with the ceremonial and the music and the art works, caused a very acute awareness of time and place, so that I felt the occasion deeply. Indeed, I cannot recall being so affected in recent years.
Upon descending to the hall — and cursing myself for having told Mabel not to bring the camera as I thought it unnecessary and just something more to carry — we found that the carving and the paintings had been specially commissioned about the years 1906-08, which probably dates the building to that period. What a pity not to have all this on film!
Hong Kong, June 1986
James Hayes
End note: Mitsukoshi is the department store chain of the famous Mitsui concern which began the drapery side of its business in Edo (Tokyo) in the early 17th century. See Charles J. Dunn, Everyday Life in Traditional Japan (Tokyo, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1972), pp. 114-121.
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counter to one side of the entrance hall. We were not allowed to enter until the opening ceremony at 10 sharp, when a male execu- tive came out, looked at the "opening hours" signboard outside the entrance, and then placed himself in the centre, flanked by the two girls. Together, they bowed us into the building.
were
Much more was in store for us. As usual, all the employees, male and female and there were very many of them standing in their sections. Being among the first customers, we received many bows and gracious words of welcome. Similarly, at each escalator level, more floor staff together with executives waited to receive us as we ascended to the first and second floors. Meanwhile an organ began to play. First (presumably) came the Japanese national anthem and (perhaps) the Company's own song, and then a selection of “vintage” Western songs of the type popular before the Second World War. Advancing to the balcony, and looking down, I was astounded to see a large assembly hall at ground level, with a huge multi-coloured wooden religious carv- ing in the centre and a large painting (in fact two, as it was paral- leled by another on the opposite wall, hidden from my view). The organist was there, placed high up behind the carving. Looking up, I saw the coloured glass roof of the building high above me and each succeeding upper floor. The whole, being old and opulent, together with the ceremonial and the music and the art works, caused a very acute awareness of time and place, so that I felt the occasion deeply. Indeed, I cannot recall being so affected in recent
years.
Upon descending to the hall — and cursing myself for having told Mabel not to bring the camera as I thought it unnecessary and just something more to carry we found that the carving and the paintings had been specially commissioned about the years 1906- 08, which probably dates the building to that period. What a pity not to have all this on film!
Hong Kong, June 1986
James Hayes
End note: Mitsukoshi is the department store chain of the famous Mitsui concern which began the drapery side of its business in Edo (Tokyo) in the early 17th century. See Charles J. Dunn, Everyday Life in Traditional Japan (Tokyo, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1972), pp. 114-121.
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