Venetia Stanley Smith, the most famous British lady in Japan



a best selling book of Venetia Stanley Smith

Venetia Stanley Smith is appearing on screen in cinema this month at last! In this film "Four Seasons in Venetia' garden" she reveals her everyday life growing flowers, herbs and vegetables, writing essays, painting, and taking care of her house of 100 years old in Kyoto.

Sunday evenings, when there is a Venetia's programme on TV, is one of my happiest moments in a week. Her way of living in Ohara,　a suburb of Kyoto, reminds me as a Japanese my dear old days which most Japanese have left in the past little by little as time goes by. She practises the Japanese ways of living much more than the Japanese ourselves do. Watching the TV, I sometimes feel embarrassed, thinking of what she thinks of us the Japanese today.

Venetia spent her childhood in Keddlestone Hall in Derby, England as a descendant of the Lord Curzon family. Her childhood was not necessarily lovely, happy ones, so she recalls her childhood. She has once mentioned her 'busy' days moving one place to another in a short time of early stage of her life. She felt of herself 'totally out of place' in the huge manor house as early as her teenage, which might lead her to set off on her journey to India.

Unlike the life of the British nobility we tend to imagine, Venetia's life in Japan seems rather humble. She likes it, indeed. Especially, how various kinds of herbs grown in her garden turn into natural remedies, spices, as well as fragrances for relaxation is just a magic!

As Venetia finally found her ideal life in Ohara and gained peace of mind, I learn a lot of precious tips of life from her.

She says 'we have everything here'. Yes, all I need is just in front of myself.