Interview with ZEN A design that can be accessed in a variety of styles and situations.
What kind of bags do you usually use?
ZEN:I basically have a lot of luggage. I carry everything I use on a daily basis, so I always carry a large backpack.
Do you have a particular design that you prefer among backpacks, or a particular functionality that you wish you had?
ZEN:I prefer something sturdy. When I do parkour, I tend to put my bag on the ground a lot. So I want something that I don't have to worry about even if I handle it roughly. I would be happy if it is elegant and well-designed at the same time.
How do you feel about Aniari's nylon collection from this perspective?
ZEN:The leather used in some places is very cool and durable. The fit is great, and it doesn't come loose when I move around on a shoot.
This collection is made of original Cordura twill, which is resistant to abrasion and tearing. So, as we were talking about earlier, it can be placed on the ground and so on.
ZEN:I see. When I do parkour on the street, I leave them on concrete or something like that... (laughter). The fact that it is resistant to wear and tear is very good for me.
How do you like the design?
ZEN:I usually dress in a street style, but I often go to parties or wear something more elegant. It is a hassle to change the contents of my bag every time I go to such occasions, and I would like a bag that can go back and forth between both situations if possible. In that sense, I thought "Aniari" bags are designed to be accessible in various styles and situations. That is also a very attractive point.
Your fashion style is very street style, isn't it?
ZEN:Yes, I do. I want to be dressed in a way that I can do parkour anytime, anywhere, so I tend to wear clothes that are mobile. So I don't wear heavy clothes or clothes that don't stretch.
I thought that the word "gorgeous" really fits the character.
ZEN:The movements I was doing during the filming were only a small part of parkour. I have a pattern in my mind, and I usually adapt it to the scene. When I entered this studio, I had an idea of what kind of movements I would be doing if I were to do parkour here, and I could see a series of flows and lines in the limited space, and I performed one part of it.
Do you always have that in mind when you think about the lines?
ZEN:Yes, that's right. You are thinking about how to move your body to draw a line against what is in that location.
Sometimes that doesn't always work out as simulated, does it?
ZEN:Of course there is, but we even envision how we should deal with it when it happens. Even if the best line is not drawn, we correct the trajectory and get back on track. This is also a fun part of parkour, or rather, a part that requires good technique. That is why I stick to the line, but I am not obsessive about it.
It's also important to leave some blank space, isn't it?
ZEN:That's right.
Do you ever feel fear?
ZEN:I will hold them. However, I do not fear unnecessarily. It would be a waste if I do so when there is no need to be afraid, and it causes unnecessary tension or prevents me from performing in a way that is absolutely possible with my ability. It is important to use fear as a sensor to protect yourself, but I train on a regular basis so that it does not become oversensitive.
In a sense, your daily training is also a mental discipline.
ZEN:That's right. You have to find out what the fear is. It is important to examine the reason for the fear, rather than forcibly closing the lid on it by assuming that it is not scary. The reason for the fear is case by case, and we train for it.
So that is what you mean by "simulate.
ZEN:As we accumulate more and more correct data, our confidence outweighs our fears.
Is it similar to yoga or meditation in some way?
ZEN:That's right. Parkour itself was originally born in a context close to such a culture. It was originally a training method, using the things around you to make your mind and body functional. In a sense, you learn about yourself through the mirror image of the obstacles. That's what makes it interesting.
ZEN, you also play the role of an evangelist to spread the joy of parkour.
ZEN:Before parkour, I didn't know anything about myself. I think I was insensitive not only to the way I used my body, but also to my feelings. However, parkour has helped me to shed light on such unclear things. Obstacles cannot be moved, so you have to use your own approach to break out of a situation. In other words, you can't blame something or make excuses. It was only under such circumstances that I was able to look at myself.
In a sense, you have grown as a person through parkour.
ZEN:There is a sense that we are continuing to grow day by day. I enjoy it very much and discover something new every day. It's like a treasure hunt.
I believe that you are motivated by your desire to spread parkour culture.
ZEN:I have been involved in this activity for about 14 years now. When I started, people did not even know the word parkour, and most of them had never seen it before when I showed them videos. We started from such a time and have been working steadily, and I think that recently we are finally gaining recognition. However, this is still just the first step. Like what I talked about today, there are still many things that are not well known, and I think most of them are filled with daredevil impressions. So from now on, I would like to convey the correct image of parkour, which is essentially something that trains the mind and body.
Also, as for my own performance, I don't think I have peaked yet, so my theme is how much I can develop my own movements without putting too much strain on myself while using my body correctly. And I want to keep encountering more and more new obstacles and be excited about them. I want to break down the barrier of "I can't do it.
