. you might as well create a store that says, "This is who I am.

When I looked at the clothes in the store, I felt that they were very simple, or rather, they looked like they were straight out of Seinaga's everyday wardrobe.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25)Yes, that's right. I have been working with the brand "Sohu" for almost 20 years, and I have developed a collection there, but this store takes a completely different approach. Strictly speaking, we only have three product numbers right now. Shirts, denim, and socks. I am thinking of gradually increasing the number of items I want to wear. My style has hardly changed in the past few years (laughs). I always wear similar clothes. In that sense, rather than completely changing my lineup, I would like to add items as if I were slowly growing my wardrobe. . steadily with items that I will need in the future in my life.

. It's an ultimately simple concept, isn't it?

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25): Yes, that's right. I will be 50 years old this year. After living for half a century, I thought it would be a good idea to create a store that says, "This is me.

When did you have the idea?

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). In the past few years, I have had many opportunities to come to Kyushu. My parents' house is in Oita, and my own parents' hometown is also in Kyushu, so in that vein, I was living in two locations, Fukuoka and Tokyo. When exactly? It's difficult to say, but I slowly became attracted to Fukuoka, and I suddenly thought, "It might be a good idea to open a store here.

For example, why couldn't you open in Tokyo?

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). Because I somehow felt a connection to Fukuoka. Besides, Tokyo is saturated now, isn't it? It's moving very fast, and I don't want to be swallowed up by it. There is a lot of information, and I am very full now. I felt that Fukuoka would be a good place for me to slow down and work at my own pace. We didn't put our products out to the media this time. The reason is that I want people to come to the store. I wanted to create a sense of excitement, like, "I wonder what's in this store? I also wanted to remind people of the excitement of "What's in this store?

The store is located in Akasaka, Fukuoka. Coincidentally, it is about a 30-second walk from the directly-managed Sohu store. Was this by design?

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25)I had an idea in my mind that a small property of about 3.5 square meters would be nice . Then last summer, I think. I found this place last summer. It's close to Sohu, so I thought it might be a good idea, and rented it. Actually, after I found this box, I thought, "Well, what am I going to do with it? I thought, "Well, what are we going to do? The interior was actually finished in February, but we decided to open on April 1 instead of immediately. . It was just a matter of delimitation; it was the start of a new year and also the beginning of a half century for me. . and from there it leads to the concept I mentioned earlier.

Do you have any special feelings about the name of your store, "KIYONAGA&CO.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). Actually, when I started "Sohu," I named the brand at the end. At the time, I was somewhat embarrassed to put my own name on it. But after about 20 years of working on the brand, I had gained confidence, and I was also turning 50, so I felt that it was time to put my name on it.

The pop-up is described as "experimental" by the artist.

You also have a pop-up store with Gallery Sign, which sells designer furniture and other items.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). I like art and music, and I also like furniture in the same way. I thought it would be a good idea to work with a sign to express my worldview in a way that is both visually and experientially pleasing. I had bought furniture from Signature myself. So I asked him to do it this time, and he readily agreed. Signature had just held an exhibition in Hiroshima, and this time, as an extension of that exhibition, we are doing it at our store.

I see.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25)The concept of the exhibited items is almost the same as the one in Hiroshima. . The contents have been slightly changed. Since there is no point in just showing them, we have asked them to prepare items that can be purchased. However, just looking at the items makes a big difference, so I would like you to visit the store.

Do you plan to continue these pop-ups in the future?

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). I would like to do this every couple of months or so. However, I think there will be breaks, so I would like to experiment while trying out different things.

The word "experimental" was also mentioned in the press release.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25)We have been making clothes at Sohu for a long time, and the staff and I are in tune with each other. I would like to keep that relationship, but at the same time, I would like to start from scratch again here. I also have a feeling that I would like to open my own store.

. You seem to be enjoying the creation of the store somewhat.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). Yes, there is no doubt about that. After living for half a century, I think this is what I want to do. . I feel that I should go back to my roots and get inspired.

Do you have any vague ideas of what you would like to do at the store in the future?

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25)As I mentioned earlier, I also like music and art, and I would like to see people like that use this space. For example, it would be fun to discover and introduce talented people from Kyushu. . I kind of feel like I want to nurture them. . It's both the city and the people. When I came to Fukuoka, I felt that the city itself is very mature. However, there are some things that are lacking, in a good way. There are no galleries or museums that feature the kind of contemporary art that I like. So I feel that I would like to take charge of that part of the city and convey it to others.

Not Tokyo, but the countryside is interesting now.

What do you think is attractive about Fukuoka?

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). hmmm...I think it is attractive in many areas. The city is close to the airport , the food is good. The city is mature. It's a very livable city, and I hear that people who come to Fukuoka on business transfer say they don't want to go back. You also have people in the fashion industry who want to come to Fukuoka for business trips, don't you? I think that says it all.

It is true that many people seem to have a positive image of Fukuoka. . In fact, I have never met anyone who has the opposite impression.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25). I feel that regional cities are more interesting than Tokyo these days. In this day and age, people are more interested in the "individual," aren't they? In this age of the Internet, it is possible to transmit information from anywhere, and Tokyo is not absolute.

I see.

Kiinaga era (1449.7.28-1452.7.25)In terms of fashion, there is Kohei Makita of "THE UNION" in Osaka, and Tsuyoshi Fujito of "FUJITO" in Fukuoka. In the U.S., New York, San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, etc., all have their own unique characteristics, and I think that in the future, Japan will also become more diverse and attractive.