What is "Kuromaru", the room and outing item of the HERALBONY press representative? [#Unconventional Living]
This series, "#UnconventionalLife," is a lifestyle column brought to you by Nakatsuka Miyu (known as MIU), the creative director of the art lifestyle brand "HERALBONY." Although she has a rather dry personality, MIU has a hidden passion in her heart. She will introduce you to how to enjoy HERALBONY's art and products and how to incorporate them into your lifestyle in a "relaxed, gentle, and passionate" manner.
◎Nakatsuka Miu / @iiimiiiu
Press and Creative Director of the art lifestyle brand "HERALBONY". Oversees the creative aspects of digital initiatives. Worked in sales and social media at Tomorrowland before assuming his current position. Has over 20,000 followers on Instagram. Has an older brother with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Sanae Sasaki's "Kuromaru" was something I had close by even before I joined the company. When I read about her on an online site and in articles on the web, I came across the description of her work, which said, "Draw in circles with a ballpoint pen."
This pitch black screen was drawn with a ballpoint pen!? I wonder if they deliberately chose a thin tip. I don't know why, but when I think about the time it took to fill in this circle with a ballpoint pen, it feels endless.
Sanae has many other expressions besides Kuromaru. She seems to concentrate on one expression for several months to several years, then suddenly stop and start another expression. 
Seeing the artist's life in his work
People with intellectual disabilities are characterized by the tendency to repeat the same actions or language for long periods of time, known as "stereotypic behavior." This leads to endless, energetic expressions.
People around her say, "Once Sanae starts creating something, she doesn't stop until the time is up."
Perhaps this never-ending flow of expression is the essence of her life. I felt this profound quality as I became immersed in her work.
I've been collecting Kuromaru's world ever since, and before I knew it, this art had become a part of my daily life.
Kuromaru and the room
Kuromaru and I are together from the time we wake up in the morning, go to work, and go to bed at night.
The first thing that catches your eye along with "Good Morning" is the soft and squishy cushion. It's something you touch every day on the sofa or in bed. The Relax & Recovery Wear is comfortable to the touch, and the art on the collar and hem is cute. I also like the visuals, which don't have a strong "pajama feel."
>> Relax & Recovery Wear 29,700 yen
>> Cushion 8,250 yen / Cover only: 5,830 yen
I have framed the handkerchief and have used it as a piece of interior decor for many years.
I have a Kuromaru wind chime at the entrance. Every time I open the door, I hear the pleasant sound that only Nambu ironware can produce. Whenever my family or friends come over, they hear the sound and say, "What a nice sound," so I have it hanging all year round, regardless of the season. I want you to experience the sound for yourself.
Going out with Kuromaru
I carry both small and medium-sized eco bags in my bag every day. The small size is perfect for going to lunch at work or for small shopping trips. The medium size is essential for buying food for dinner, which requires a relatively large amount of purchases. It's also perfect for carrying clothes and supplies to work.
>> Eco bag S size: 2,420 yen / M size: 3,300 yen
Keep the knit and pants simple and style it as a wrap skirt by layering it over the pants. Just wrap the corners of the same side around your waist and tie them. It's not too flashy and makes a great accent piece.
This standard unisex shirt is smooth and can be worn alone in early summer, and layered with a jacket or knitwear in autumn and winter.
>> Regular collar shirt 30,800 yen
Author Sanae Sasaki
The Kuromaru series has produced so many products, but the story of when the artist was given a finished product was particularly memorable.
I heard this from the company's representative, Fumito, about three years ago. "At first, when I went to show Sanae the finished products, she didn't react and didn't seem very happy. But when I went to meet her wearing a Kuromaru shirt, she started to react recently and I even got a glimpse of her smile."
I remember the feeling of being drawn in, wondering what it was, this heartwarming episode that put Sanae-san into words... She doesn't seem to open up much to people she meets for the first time, but if you tell her your feelings many times, she will respond a little. She is a person with a quiet, warm heart and a calmness that makes people look up to her.
I think this may have been the moment when Sanae was able to build trust in HERALBONY. 
>> Mug 4,950 yen
Next time, I'll talk about how I decorate the handkerchiefs in my room.
>>NEXT: HERALBONY Press Representative's "decorating handkerchiefs" life hack [#Unconventional Living]
