Tadayuki Kato publishes a book. The half life of one of BEAMS's most outliers is now available in one book. | feature

Like a tuna, a life that keeps moving.

This has been a rather lengthy interview, but I would like to conclude now. How do you feel about the finished book?

Kato: SSZ“ has been creating ”behind-the-scenes" books, and in fact, this book has that gimmick hidden in it as well. When you turn the cover over, you will see a "back" cover designed by Sukeshin (graphic designer SKATE-THING). (graphic designer SKATE THING) designed the "back" cover.

Oh, wow! That's very elaborate.

Kato: So I would like you to decorate it with whichever one you like as the cover. By the way, if you take all the covers off, they are silver, but this is scratch.

That's great! What do you get when you cut it down?

Kato: No, it's a lie (laughs).

(laughs). I thought it was true. Mr. Kato would have done it.

Kato: He was also the one who helped me with the vegetable book "WE ARE I was also indebted to Mr. Sukeshin for "831," and he is a really cool guy. I have always admired him. I was influenced by him when I was a kid, and I continue to be influenced by him now. I also like the zines that are inserted in this book.

I guess you can't miss that, can you? I have the impression that Mr. Kato is a “handwriter,” and I have also heard that he once made a handwritten proposal to the president when he went directly to him for advice.

Kato: I was the first person to go directly to the president. For a while, there was a boom in direct talks within the company. It was my fault (laughs). (Laughs.) Now it seems to have been banned.

It is very touching that the president, who has such episodes to his credit, has written a personal message on the obi of the book.

Kato: Well, I thought that the president would be the best choice here. It was the president who created "I AM BEAMS," and he continues to watch over me with deep pockets.

Buyer, director, farmer.... What is it that drives you so much?

Kato: Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by amazing people. I have always been easily influenced, but when I see people who are much busier than I am creating amazing things without stopping their creativity, it makes me think that I am not good enough yet and that I need to do more. That may be the driving force.

You continue to be inspired by such people, don't you?

Kato: On the other hand, there is a part of me that thinks, "No one does this as well as I do. I make clothes, work in the fields, go to the market in the morning, surf, listen to music, ride my bike... I am always doing something, swimming like a tuna.

Kato: But at the root of it all is that I “enjoy” all of them. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to continue. I try to enjoy everything I do and work hard at it. In that sense, I am truly grateful to BEAMS for accepting me in my messed-up state.

Is there anything you want to do as “Tadayuki Kato of BEAMS” from now on?

Kato: I would like to do an overseas pop-up. I don't know if it would sell. I have done a pop-up before, but it was when the aftermath of Corona was still in effect, so I wonder what would happen if I did it now.

Kato: Of course, we would like to do more and more in Japan as well. We would also like to actively pursue local collaborations.

It's like the "Sakiyoken Collaboration" we had the other day.

Kato: Yes, yes. That's interesting, isn't it? I like to think about that kind of thing, don't you?

So, what do you want to do in the future as “one man, Tadayuki Kato” without "BEAMS"?

Kato: Well, because of this nature, I will probably keep moving until I die, after all (laughs). This is something I am secretly thinking about, but I would like to hold a "Harajuku Reggae Festival! Doesn't just the name of the event get you excited?

That sounds grand and crazy good! Please let us cover it again when you do.

Kato: Of course!