I started with a light-hearted feeling, thinking that it would be nice if my drawings were made into T-shirts.

What is the concept behind the "C" brand?

KagaemiI am the only one who can do whatever I want in my "apparel line". It is the only "apparel line" that allows me to do whatever I want.

In other words, it is a personal brand.

Kagaemi: Yeah, it's a personal and super independent brand. I just print my drawings on T-shirts (laughs).

Why did you choose the form of "T-shirt brand"?

KagaemiI think that apparel brands require a lot of work, such as drawing patterns and processing, but T-shirts are quick and easy because you can just draw a picture and print it out yourself. It's easy to do, so I started out with a light heart. It may sound exaggerated to call it a brand, but I thought I would give it a try anyway.

That was 10 years ago when you started your brand, and you were already working as an artist at that time.

KagaemiYes, steadily (laughs). I wasn't providing graphics to other brands like I do now. So, I started with a really light-hearted feeling, like it would be nice to have my picture printed on a T-shirt.

What is the meaning of the brand name "C"?

KagaemiA long time ago, you used to compare the activities of a man and a woman with "A, B, and C." This is the "C" in the "A, B, and C". This is the "C" of the "A, B, and C." But today's young people don't know this analogy. But today's young people don't know this analogy. My business partners ask me, "What does it mean?" I answer, "What does it mean? but they look at me and say, "Yes?

Why did you choose the "C" in the first place?

KagaemiI didn't want it to mean too much. I didn't want to give it too much meaning. I didn't think a sophisticated concept was necessary for "C" (laughs). (Laughs) Also, it's easy to read with a single letter of the alphabet. But I don't think this brand name has really caught on (laughs). I think people just think of it as "Mr. Kagami's T-shirt brand.

We are conscious of two things: delivering the product to the customer and making something that can be worn.

You mentioned at the beginning that you "write down motifs that other brands can't offer." There is a clear difference between client work and "C".

KagaemiI think it's hard for clients to understand, but I draw the line in my mind. I have a strong feeling of delivering the work to the client, in the case of client work. C" has that feeling as well, but I think I expose a more personal side of myself.

Is it fashionable? I don't think graphics can be measured in terms of whether or not they are stylish or cool. In the case of "C", how do you feel about the graphics you create?

KagaemiI am not in charge of making fashionable and cool things, because many other people are making them. That said, I would be in trouble if the products did not sell at all. I am conscious of the fact that I have to deliver the products to the customers and make things they can wear. If something is too vulgar, it cannot be worn (laughs). I also want to make things that would be interesting to put in a room. When my friends come over, they will laugh and say, "What's this? When my friends come over, they will laugh and say, "What's this? Ultimately, though, I would like to hold an exhibition of just plain T-shirts.

Buyers expecting Kagami-san's graphics will be disappointed to see only plain colors.

Kagaemi(Laughs): "At last, a solid color!" (laughs). (Laughs) I want to do crazy things like that in "C." But if I go too far, people will think I'm crazy. But if we go too far, people will think we are crazy....

Do you think about the printed graphics on a daily basis? Or do you draw them when the exhibition is approaching?

KagaemiI have exhibitions in May and November, and about two months before the exhibitions, I get a switch in my mind. I think, "It's about time. Ideas often come from my daily life. I have an idea in my head for a word I like, and I put it into graphics. Sometimes I draw a rough sketch and then finish it as I go along, and other times I draw it all in one shot.

You release seven models each season, right?

KagaemiI draw a lot of pictures for the time being, and then I shake them out. I draw a lot of pictures for now, and then I shake them out. I have a bookshelf in my living room, and I put all the graphics on it and look at them for about a month. I put all the graphics on the bookshelf and look at them for a month or so to see the overall balance. This process is very important, because it's in the house, so you can see it without your notice, right? This naturally directs my attention toward the "C" series.

When you say you look at the balance, what kind of adjustments are you making exactly?

KagaemiI think I'm playing around a little too much with the whole thing. Or, do I use too much Japanese? or "Is it using too much Japanese? I change Japanese words to romaji to keep the balance.

Do you ever use any of the graphics that you have rejected as a result of the screening process?

KagaemiI sometimes release new items at different times, but it is rare. I usually produce something new every season.

This time, we have stripped away the elements that might sell.

You mentioned that ideas often come from everyday life.

KagaemiIn my case, I don't really think of myself as a designer. I take what I think is unique in current events or in my daily life and create pictures. If I think something is trendy or cool, it comes off as fake. The graphics I use on my T-shirts are neither trendy nor fashionable.

You don't want it to go viral?

KagaemiI would be happy if it sold well, but... (laughs). But I don't think "C" will ever be popular. I'm an innocent person.

I've seen a lot of T-shirts with Japanese motifs lately.

KagaemiT-shirts with Japanese writing on them used to be too embarrassing to wear, but nowadays they are rather common. What language should I choose for my next T-shirt?

Strange Store" has been releasing T-shirts that were not shown at the exhibition. What you call "holiday line" items.

KagaemiI think so. Parodies and other things that have a bit of a poisonous flavor. I can't wholesale them, so I print them myself and sell them at my own store. They are rare items, so to speak (laughs). (Laughs) Perhaps this is more like expressing my true self. It's more like art. C" used to make character T-shirts, which were very popular, but I gradually felt like they were just trying to sell something, and I got bored with them. So I stopped doing that kind of thing.

The new items presented at the exhibition in May, were you conscious of the 10th anniversary?

KagaemiI did not think about the fact that it was the 10th anniversary at all. Regardless of that, I painted this time with the idea of cutting down on elements that might sell. Sure enough, I got a buyer's comment, "Do you think this will sell? I was surprised that the buyers responded as I had hoped. It was a great success for me because the response was exactly what I was aiming for.

In the 10 years you have been running the brand, is there a T-shirt that has left a lasting impression on you?

Kagaemi: I think this is about the third or fourth season since I started the brand. There was one time I didn't draw a picture. It was a coloring book from the 1960s, and the cat was really cute. The customers said, "Mr. Kagami, your touch has changed" (laughs).

Are there any works that you have painted that have left a lasting impression on you?

KagaemiI think it's the one that says "KOTOWARE" on the graphic of a lemon being squeezed by hand. I like that one. You know that guy who squeezes lemon on fried chicken without permission?

Lemon, no?

KagaemiNo (laughs). So, I made this song with the meaning that if you are going to put lemon on it, you should say no. I got the idea when we were at a pub together. I also like the one that says "HELL" on a picture of a little toe hitting somewhere. It was very coherent.

It is somewhat embarrassing to wear a T-shirt that you made yourself.

Does making T-shirts for "C" have any influence on your main job as an artist?

KagaemiI don't think so at all. C" and art activities are two different things, and they have different ways of thinking to begin with. Art is something that comes to me spontaneously in my mind, and I try to release it instantaneously as contemporary art. But "C" is not art, nor is it apparel work, and it is the only thing I can do as I please.

It is a special zone, isn't it?

KagaemiYes, "C" is special. But it is not that important to me.

Don't you wear the "C" T-shirts yourself?

KagaemiI am too shy to wear it. Even if I see someone wearing it on the street, I feel embarrassed (laughs). (Laughs) Of course I feel happy, but since "C" has pictures, I don't really think about how it will look when I wear it.

I see.

KagaemiI'd personally like to make something more strangely shaped, though. I might try it next time (laughs)...I put 100 percent effort into this exhibition, but it's the kind of exhibition where not a single piece gets ordered.

It seems to me that this is almost like art.

KagaemiI think so. As far as art is concerned, I put out 100 percent of every piece I make. But if something doesn't sell, it doesn't sell, and I don't get depressed because of that. I wonder what would happen if I made "C" with a more art-oriented mindset? It would be interesting to think about, but there is also the matter of wholesalers, so I guess I would have to make something that would sell well.

I'm having a lot of fun doing "C" right now, so I have no intention of quitting.

Do you have any thoughts after 10 years of branding?

KagaemiIt's been 10 years, I guess (laughs). It happened so fast. I'm not very emotional. I didn't think it would last 10 years.

Do you have a strong will to continue now?

KagaemiI've been doing this for 10 years, so I don't mind if I stop at any time. I'm not saying I'm going to stop anytime soon, but I'm not going to force myself to continue. If you've been doing something for 10 years, it becomes more convincing, doesn't it? If you've only been doing it for two or three years, you're quick to give up, but if you've been doing it for 10 years, it's okay.

You said that you felt that if you no longer wanted to express yourself through T-shirts, you could stop.

KagaemiYes, that's how it is. I'm having a lot of fun with "C" right now, so I don't intend to stop.

Lastly, is there anything you would like to do in the future as part of "C" activities?

KagaemiI'd like to have an exhibition of only plain T-shirts, as I mentioned earlier. Also, I once uploaded an image on Instagram, in which I collected about 20 tags from various T-shirt makers and sewed them on T-shirts. I would collect about 20 tags from various T-shirt makers and sew them on T-shirts. I would like to make items at "C" that would make people say, "What manufacturer?