Hedwig Schreck, a 61-year-old Tokyo native with German and Austrian roots, retired from TV Asahi to follow her passion for Japanese cultural arts. She now hosts workshops at The Schreck House in Tokyo’s Hiroo neighborhood, where she was raised.
1. How did your family come to Japan? Hedwig’s grandfather arrived in Kobe in 1920 as a submarine engineer, aiding Japan’s industrialization process during the Taisho Era. He later founded his own company in Tokyo, importing German and Austrian technologies for infrastructure projects like tunnels and bridges.
2. Did your family experience historic events in Japan? Hedwig’s grandfather suffered losses during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, yet continued his business during World War II from Karuizawa. Though she never met him, Hedwig found a letter detailing his resilience through challenging times.