Passion Swirls, Drawing in the Surroundings, Enriching Lives
At the end of January, I was invited as a speaker to the first session of the "Town Planning Seminar 2024" hosted by the nonprofit organization GP Network, and I gave a lecture at the Toyama City Library. I spoke about how the creation of "luxury" connects to "town planning."
"Luxury" and "town planning." At first glance, these topics may seem entirely opposite to each other. However, the creation of "new luxury" happening in the world and in Japan leads to a future that enriches the entire region the more you pursue it. I illustrated the direction of the society we want by providing concrete examples of ongoing new luxury businesses from both domestic and international perspectives.
To illustrate the possibility in Toyama, we also had Taichiro Takamatsu, a couturier and tailor who honed his skills at several top brands in Europe, join us as a speaker. Despite being originally from Fukuoka, he was captivated by the nature, people, and above all, the "purity of water" in Toyama, prompting him to move and establish his studio there after returning to Japan.
Another element that enamored him in Toyama is the "shike silk" from Johana. Shike silk is a textile woven from silk with knots created by two silkworms stuck together in their cocoon. Despite being considered B-grade due to its tendency to break easily, its knots, when woven, create a beautiful decorative effect. It is used in interior design such as fusuma (sliding doors), often combined with Japanese paper.
Currently, Matsui Machinery, the only remaining silk textile company in Toyama, produces shike silk. However, Noriko Matsui, the 6th generation president, had been wishing for their beloved fabric to be used in fashion products as well. Yet, major apparel companies have consistently declined, citing the fragility of the fibers as unfit for clothing. Just as they were about to give up, Takamatsu "discovered" it. He said, "Indeed, this material is not suitable for mass-produced clothing. However, in haute couture, where handling difficult materials showcases one's technique and rarity and artistic value are enhanced, it can be sold at a high price as a luxury product." Thus, Takamatsu created haute couture dresses that highlighted the strengths of shike silk as a unique feature rather than a weakness, and one such piece was exhibited at the venue.
When local materials and artisans rooted in the region produce such luxury products and receive recognition worldwide, attention is drawn to the production area, leading to the potential enrichment of the entire region through industrial tourism. Local residents, even if they do not purchase expensive items, can indirectly benefit from the increased reputation of their place of origin.
Both Takamatsu and Matsui are individuals with a high level of romantic passion. Matsui, speaking about the charm of silk, becomes poetic, even starting to grow mulberry trees for the silkworms. This kind of human passion becomes the "core." This is true in other regions as well. Passion bubbling up from individuals first creates a swirl, drawing in the surroundings, resulting in luxury products exceeding expectations, and ultimately bringing richness to the region. While creating mechanisms is undoubtedly important, it's impossible to fit highly original individuals into a predefined system. The presence of individuals acting in different domains is essential, and establishing a mechanism to organically connect them with each other. In town planning through luxury creation, this process itself leads to happiness and ultimately expands the possibilities for richness.
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