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Japanese artist infuses love for Hong Kong in dim sum miniatures

蘋果日報 2020/12/06 00:00


Reiko Omura, an elegant, well-adorned Japanese lady who has lived in Hong Kong for 28 years, loves to turn traditional Hong Kong dim sum into exquisite miniatures.
Dim sum trolleys are one of Omura’s favorite parts of the dim sum experience. “Dim sum trolleys are unique in Hong Kong. We don’t have that in Japan. And the scenes of old ladies pushing these cute trolleys around the tea restaurant are very charming,” says the clay modelling instructor. As dim sum trolleys have gradually been phased out by digitized ordering systems, she is now creating miniature dim sum to preserve her memories. “Many Japanese people visit Hong Kong to experience this traditional culture. It would be such a pity if dim sum trolleys were to vanish. I hope to preserve this piece of heritage by making these miniatures.”
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Reiko Omura has been living in Hong Kong for 28 years and has made countless dim sum miniatures over the past 12 years.
The idea of creating a collection of the Cantonese delicacy first came to mind after one time she enjoyed dim sum with her students 12 years ago. “My Japanese student asked me to make models of dim sum, and since then I have fallen in love with them. It takes me around two hours to make one bamboo steamer. Some Japanese housewives in my class would make two to three steamers, then frame them for hanging as a reminder of their lives in Hong Kong.”
Omura’s miniature collections also include other Hong Kong cuisine. However, despite spending 28 years in the city, she has never been to Hong Kong-style cafés, hawker stalls or tea houses, nor has she ever tried street food like fish balls and shumai. “It is almost impossible for someone from Japan to eat on the streets, it is just not a part of our culture. And since I don’t speak Cantonese, I don’t know what to order at a street vendor. I usually just go to restaurants in hotels where it is easier for me to order food.” It may appear that Omura has her head in the clouds, but for a Japanese who moved to Hong Kong in the ’90s, maintaining a Japanese lifestyle in Hong Kong has always been easy.
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It needs around two hours to make a bamboo steamer, time taken for Japanese to record their lives in Hong Kong.
Back in the ’90s when Japan was still a strong economy, Japanese department stores like Daimaru, Mitsukoshi, Matsuzakaya, Sogo and Yaohan were landmarks in Hong Kong. Just as Hong Kong people loved Japanese cuisine and pop culture such as soap operas and pop songs back then, Hong Kong was a favourite travel destination for Japanese like Omura. In fact, Hong Kong was her first place to be besides her home country.
“I still remember the Haw Par Mansion in Tai Hang. It was truly splendid.” She followed her husband when he moved to Hong Kong for work in 1992. “I first lived on Kennedy Road in Wanchai. I was shocked by the way meat was hung at the butcher stalls and vegetables were displayed on the ground.” The culture shock was probably the reason why she preferred to frequent Japanese department stores, supermarkets and restaurants in Causeway Bay. “I have been living among the Japanese community and do not even have one Cantonese-speaking friend. But I still manage to get by speaking only Japanese.”
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Omura hopes to preserve Hongkongers’ memories of the dim sum trolleys with her creations
When Japan faced a recession at the turn of the 20th century, all Japanese department stores in Hong Kong, except Sogo, went out of business. While many Japanese in Hong Kong moved back home, Omura has chosen to stay in Hong Kong with her family. “My friends moved back to Japan mostly because of job relocations or the unaffordable rent in Hong Kong. But I really like Hong Kong, so I remain here.”
It is the free spirit and the relaxing vibe of Hong Kong that persuade her to stay. “I think Hong Kong is liberal in many ways, in terms of mindset and career. Unlike in Japan where you always need to care about other people’s opinions, you can simply do whatever you want in Hong Kong. Once when I was back in Japan, someone on the tram told me to keep quiet. I did not understand at first, then I realized it was the sound I made from typing on my phone. It is hard to imagine that such a common and accepted behavior in Hong Kong would make such a big deal in Japan. It is a bit daunting that I need to watch every step, that’s why I much prefer the casual atmosphere in Hong Kong.”
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Omura hopes to preserve Hongkongers’ memories of the dim sum trolleys with her creations
Besides applauding the urban dwellers’ spontaneity, Omura wants to clarify that Hongkongers are not apathetic at all. “I find Hongkongers very gentle and friendly. I am very grateful, for they always lend a helping hand to me.” She also notes the change in her relationships with Hongkongers in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. “I used to be able to manage my life without connecting with locals. For example, I simply went back to Japan to get the materials I needed for making my miniatures. But when it became difficult as the pandemic continued, Hongkongers offered me help without asking for anything in return. They kept making phone calls and doing research for me. I am really grateful that they were there when I most needed support.”
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Other miniatures of Hong Kong traditional cuisine made by Omura.
The pandemic marks Omura’s first time to connect with Hongkongers after 28 years of living here. Regretting not learning to speak Cantonese, the 60-year-old thinks it is time to step out of her comfort zone. “My dream is to open a miniature clay class for Hong Kong people. I am now learning Cantonese for this. Making these miniature collections is a way for me to reciprocate the generosity that Hongkongers have shown me, and my way to help to preserve their traditional culture.”
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