PROFILE
Designer of "Vinyl Archive" and owner of the store and gallery "SALT AND PEPPER. In addition to his own brand, he is also involved in a wide range of collaborations and is extremely busy, but still frequents the "Carpe Diem Aoyama Dojo" to practice. He has been practicing jiu-jitsu for two years and a half. His belt color is blue.
Just right for an individual to get started.
What kind of image did you have before you started Jiu-Jitsu?
Great North:I used to play soccer all my life, but I injured my knee and started kickboxing as part of my rehabilitation. . I thought it would be similar to kickboxing because it is an aerobic exercise and I use my legs a lot. Until then, I had an image of Jiu-Jitsu as "dark" and "scary. I felt like it was wrapped in a veil.
I think that many sports are introduced by someone else, but in your case, did you have anyone?
Great North:You are Rintaro (Ishige) Ishige, the photographer. He has a unique aura, and I was a little curious about him before that, but when I heard that he was doing jiu-jitsu, I was strangely convinced. So I was first interested in the person, and from there it led to jiu-jitsu. At first, I was really just curious to talk to someone and see if I could give it a try, and then I went to visit a dojo. So, I joined right away. But I didn't go for a year. I wanted to try it, but I guess I was afraid of it (laughs). . There were a lot of foreigners and big-looking people. Then I had a chance to go to a dojo in Aoyama. But the day before I went there, I was quite nervous (laughs).
So, you didn't have the impression that jiu-jitsu was a healthy sport until you started doing it?
Great North:Yes, that's right. Since I was also running my own brand, I felt vain, or perhaps I was a bit of a loner at the time. I vaguely wanted to be strong. I was interested in martial arts. But not in the sense of PRIDE or K-1, but more purely as a sport.
What was it about kickboxing that led you to Jiu-Jitsu?
Great North:This is another acquaintance. I heard that one of the people who always comes to our exhibitions had started going there. I'm still going now, and it's only been about three years since I started. I have always been a team player like a soccer player, but now that I am over 40 years old, I think it would be nice to play individually. The results are direct with me, there are no excuses, and I would rather do everything quietly and alone.
I think there are some similarities with my current job. . I don't think it is very clear who wins and who loses in terms of clothes and sales. At exhibitions, there were many unknowns, such as when a garment I liked did not get many orders, or when something unexpected was popular. But with jujutsu, such things are very clear. For example, the moment I teamed up with someone, I could tell right away, "Oh, this person is strong.
. So it has a big impact on your work.
Great North:I think I have changed as well. In terms of the scope of my work, I have started to expand where I can, thanks to you. I am also consciously working outside the office. My habit of staying indoors has changed a little. However, I try to take my time to build an important foundation so as not to lose it. As long as that axis is firm, the rest can change. I think the importance of the axis is similar to that of jiu-jitsu.
