The Old is New Again: Tracing the Memory of Objects at the Flea Market | Release #25

The Daimaru Kyoto Photo Contest ‘Shimatsu no Kokoro’ has been held! Prompted by this photo contest, our editorial team revisited the spirit of ‘shimatsu’—and the idea of ‘cherishing objects’ emerged as a key inspiration.

The final destination for objects that have outlived their original owners and have traveled from hand to hand is the antique market. When rummaging through a box of old drives, I came across photographs of flea markets from my backpacking days, which inspired me to write about the stories behind these found images.

Violins, tableware, coffee grinders—none are essential for survival, yet we are drawn to display them in our homes. While utilitarian items are consumed and replaced, objects of personal taste endure. The shared sense of ‘something just feels right’ weaves a thread through generations, both past and present.

The joy of the flea market lies not only in shopping, but also in observing people. Watching those who search with sparkling eyes for something that matches their taste, caught up in the excitement of discovery. As you ponder what they might use their finds for, or the significance of the curious objects they select, time slips by until dinner.

At every flea market, there is always at least one exhibitor specializing in secondhand books. The charm of old books—their tattered covers and yellowed pages—remains undiminished, and the stories they tell are as beautiful as ever.

At a flea market in Italy, I found a Japanese book. The pleasure of imagining how it ended up there is irresistible—perhaps it was read by an Italian Japanophile scholar, or maybe it was left behind by a Japanese exchange student.

While new and desirable things abound, there is a special resonance in objects that have withstood the passage of time. Living in a society of constant change, we can reconnect with forgotten memories by engaging in a dialogue with the past through objects.

Take Kyoto, for example.

Around the 10th of every month, the vibrant banners of the Heian Flea Market rise in Okazaki Park in front of Heian Shrine, drawing crowds in search of treasures displayed outdoors. Originally conceived as a place to pass on unwanted items to new owners, the spirit of the Heian Flea Market truly embodies ‘Shimatsu no Kokoro’.

There are websites listing flea markets nationwide, so why not make a sunny weekend outing of it? If you discover a favorite item, consider submitting it to the ‘Shimatsu no Kokoro’ photo contest.