The program "Platinum Family: A Peek into the Lives of a Glamorous Family" (TV Asahi, Tuesdays at 7 PM *excluding some regions) introduces the lifestyles of "glamorous families." In the June 2nd broadcast, a magnificent mansion resembling a samurai residence in Ryugasaki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, will be featured.
The grand mansion is surrounded by a long, stone-wall-like fence about 4-5 meters high, and the grounds are so vast that it takes more than 5 minutes just to find the entrance. The house itself occupies approximately 3,000 tsubo (about 10,000 square meters) of land, with the single-story section alone occupying about 150 tsubo (about 500 square meters). The entrance hall has a traditional Japanese hearth, and the house is equipped with a large tatami room, a long corridor, a Western-style dining room, and a kitchen large enough to cook for many people.
Shiina Ichiei, the 72-year-old homeowner who exudes an air of being no ordinary person, continues to uphold a certain Japanese tradition that has been passed down for over 200 years and in which many great figures have been involved, a tradition that Japan can be proud of.
Shiina attracts not only locals but also people from Belgium who come to learn from her, and she also provides online instruction overseas. She has multiple bases in the United States, drawing in people who admire Japanese culture.
The storehouse at his home houses a vast collection of books, including Buddhist and philosophical texts, as well as books about prominent figures of the late Edo period such as Sakamoto Ryoma and Yamaoka Tesshu. These books are said to be deeply connected to a certain tradition that Shiina has inherited, a tradition that has continued for over 200 years.
What is this "certain path" where not only technical skills but also mental fortitude are important? Shiina reveals the secret: "It's about overcoming fear and having a strong mind that can always remain calm."
