Japanese Womem in Canada Vol.21 Rika Futagami　

１）What do you like about Canada?

There is freedom to do what you want to do when you want to do it, regardless of your age.

I feel that as long as you are motivated, opportunities and possibilities are more easily available in Canada than in Japan.

In Japan, there is still a tendency that staying in one company is a virtue, but in Canada, it is normal to change jobs in order to improve and gain experience. I think that’s a good thing.

Also, the work-life balance is better in Canada.

Work does not invade my personal life and I can take time to reset myself. I don’t have to feel guilt when I take time off. When you think about it, it’s obvious. But when I was in Japan, it was not the norm. Now that I am out of there, I wonder what was the point of working until my health deteriorated? I think Canada is better for me because I can work in a way that fits my life.

Having nature so close at hand and having so many people who are very conscious about the environment, it is a good feeling. I also try to live a good life for the environment, so I feel comfortable when there are many people doing the same thing.

２）How long have you been living Canada?/What brought you here?

I first came to Victoria, Canada in the summer of 2014 on a working holiday visa, stayed for a year and liked Canada so much that I decided to live here. I went back to Japan for nine months to work and save money and came back here again in 2016.

I came because I wanted to experience the unknown, in an unknown place, to meet the unknown me, and simply to be healed. (Laughs)

When I was working in Japan, I worked too hard and got sick. I then started to ask myself “do I really want to do this?” I began to realize that I wanted to feel happier and started thinking about what I really wanted to do.

I majored in English at university in Japan, and it was my dream to go abroad. I came to Victoria, Canada, because where there seemed to be a lot of nature, to experience various things, and to grow as a person.

３）What have you been doing since you came to live in Canada?

First, when I came to Canada on a Working Holiday Visa, I worked as a Housekeeper at a Hotel, and when I came back in 2016, I took a two year*Hospitality tourism management course in Victoria.While attending school, I worked part-time as a server, tour guide, and translator.

There is something called  “Co-op program”, which is a work experience system that allows students to actually work for a salary at companies they are interested in. I was able to do a paid internship at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, and after graduating, I went straight to work at the hotel and am currently a Junior server and barista at the Botanist restaurant at the hotel. 

I started making handmade accessories when the Co-vid pandemic began. When I was studying astrology, I wanted a zodiac stone that suited me, so I went to buy one, but I couldn’t find one I liked, so I thought, “I will make one!” 

Since October 2021, I have been selling them under the brand FLORERE* at a select store called Branches & Knots on Broadway in Kitsilano.

*Hospitality and tourism management～ management studies pertaining to management in the hospitality industry, of which tourism is a part. 

４）What is the hardest thing you faced living in Canada? And what did you learn from it?

I am blessed to have met the right people at the right time, and I believe that has helped me to have been able to come this far.

If I had to name a difficult time, it would be when I was studying hospitality tourism management as a student for two years. In academics, if you don’t do your own research and ask questions about things you don’t understand, you will be left behind. It was a different experience from Japanese universities. Writing a full-scale report in English was hard, but it gave me confidence in myself.

There were also times when I was disappointed with my lack of English skills, what comes to mind is when I was unfairly charged money for staying at an Air B&B.

What I have learned is self-responsibility. For better or for worse. If you don’t know, find out for yourself, ask someone. Don’t be shy. No one will help you, you must help yourself.

5)　What do you do？

Under the brand name FLORERE* I make accessories using natural stones and aroma. The theme of my accessories is nature. I polish the stones with essential oils to purify them. I do this for the purpose of delivering the fragrance and its energy to the customer when they wear the jewelry.

One of my products is a small jar containing dried flowers and accessories, with the aroma of aroma trapped inside. I created this product not only because I wanted it to be pretty, but also because I wanted people to feel the deep healing power of nature through all five senses the moment they open the lid.

The meaning of FLORERE* is “I bloom ” in Latin. The natural color of natural stone and the natural aroma of aroma. Both are part of the earth. I hope that by wearing these two beautiful powers from earth, you will remember the beauty that is within you and allow it to blossom.

Natural stones have the power to encourage people. By wearing the natural stone you can move forward with confidence. I hope to help people do that through my accessories.

The stone I am wearing today is Carnelian, a stone that brings out the courage and ability to take on challenges within me.

I offer private sessions of Astrology reading only in Japanese. In my opinion, Astrology reading is not something that predicts the future, but rather a tool to learn about your own habits and innate nature, and to learn to love yourself more. The interesting thing about Astrology reading is that it makes you see yourself objectively, that everyone is different, and that there is more potential in you. Before I studied Astrology reading, I had no confidence in myself and wondered if I was doing the right thing.

As I learned more and more about astrology reading, I realized that I was fine the way I am. I was able to accept myself. I hope that more and more people will come to like themselves and accept themselves through astrology reading.

・Accessories are available at Branches & Knots. Custom orders are also available. Please contact us via DM on instagram if you would like to order.

https://www.instagram.com/florere_by_rika/

６）What do you like to do？

Relaxing at a cafe. 

I like to be alone. 

I like to go by the water.

I like to go for a walk.

I like to do yoga.

I also like to spend time studying what I like.

I like to relax and do what I want to do depending on the mood of the day.

７）Is there anything you would like to do in the future？

As a new challenge, I would like to create accessories based on individual sessions of astrological readings to suit the person at that time.

 The constellation sign and the constellation stone will change from time to time, and they will help you to draw out your innate power.

Astrology reading is not fortune-telling. You make your own future. Therefore, I hope to support people wearing the constellation stones that I make, by  encouraging them to create the future they want.

Aroma and constellations, natural stones and constellations. Everything is connected.

Aroma, natural stones, and star reading have been used by people for a long time as a way to live life better, and I want to create products that can be incorporated in today’s world in a fun way.

８）What is your belief or motto.

Live gently for the earth and yourself.

This is the concept of Sustainability that I learned in the tourism class.

I believe that if we live in a way that is gentle to our own mind and body, we will naturally live in harmony with society and the environment as a whole.

Editor’ｓcomments

I knew about Rika’s accessories from Branches & Knots before we met for the interview. I remembered her earrings in a small jar with dried flowers, which were very cute. Rika is a lovely woman, which fits her accessories she creates.

I actually had an astrology reading by Rika.

Using a natal chart, she let me know my true nature, my life goals, what my soul was seeking, and the timing of it. She explained it to me while looking at the chart, and her choice of words was very accurate and easy to understand. I feel that I was able to look at myself objectively, just as Rika said. Also, I had never felt right with my conventional horoscope, but with Rika’s astrology reading, I was convinced of my innate nature. I think I understand myself more now.

Even though we know the answer, it is sometimes difficult to move or have the courage to take action.

At such times, if you can know your true nature through an astrological reading and feel the power of natural stones, I believe that Rika’s astrological reading counseling and original natural stone accessories will give many people the courage to take the first step forward.

For women, cute accessories can lift their spirits. And if you know that they have wonderful gemstone words, don’t you feel like you can shine even brighter?

Encounters with accessories and natural stones seem to be coincidental, and in fact, you may subconsciously choose the stones you need at that moment. 

Take a look at Rika’s accessories and see what kind of stones you find beautiful. There is sure to be a message that you need to hear.

Rika’s instagram https://www.instagram.com/florere_by_rika/

Ogojo Canada will continue to support Rika’s activities.