




-
Yosuke Ishii
-
Hiroshi Yamamoto
-
Ryo Muramatsu
-
Yusuke Suzuki
-
Shuhei Wakiyama

A year goes by in the blink of an eye.
There is a theory that the older you get, the faster time flies, because the relative length of a year becomes shorter: for a 10-year-old, a year is one-tenth of a lifetime; for a 40-year-old, one-fortieth. Freelen in "Freelen of Funeral" said that 10 years was "a short time," but to an elf who has lived more than 1,000 years, a year is a fraction of a second. In any case, whether it is long or short, I would like to cherish the time at the end of the year 2023.





Hender Scheme
Enderschema Shoes

Naughty is in sight.
It is easy to say in one word, "a combination of leather shoes and sneakers," but I do not know of any other shoes that so boldly embody this concept. The base is a so-called wingtip, but the thickly padded shoe tongue and footwear opening, the rounded and rounded body silhouette, and the fat shoelace are all designed to look like skate shoes. Leather shoes like sneakers? Sneakers like leather shoes? I don't know which came first and which came after, but the distribution of leather shoes and sneakers are well balanced and fused. It may sound like just a unique shoe, but they can be worn with everything from elegant trousers with a center crease to sweatpants and baggy pants. Depending on your interpretation, they can be worn with any style. They are versatile shoes that can easily realize everyone's favorite "to add a dash of fun with the feet" look.
¥75,900
Sukima Ebisu
henderscheme.com
Instagram: @henderscheme

beta post
Beta Post Cardigan

Sources of Inspiration.
I personally believe that Beta Post's clothes, which are designed from a unique perspective, completely surpass the realm of a single fashion garment. It may sound a bit clichéd, but I would say that they feel more like works of art than clothes. ...... For example, the cardigan you see here is made of wool melton with fine diamond-shaped incisions to resemble cushion paper used for packing wine bottles and the like. When I heard the source of this inspiration, I was surprised to hear "Oh, yes! It is comfortable to wear, stretchable and easy to move around in because of the cutouts, and warm because of the melton. It is also warm because it is made of melton. I spent more money on clothes this season than most people, but if I were asked to choose a best buy, I would say this one without question. It makes me feel good when I wear it.
¥59,400
beta-post
betapost.com

KAPITAL
Capitol Sweater

Not Ugly.
Now that the dowdy cute Ugly Christmas sweaters have taken root, I thought this sweater from Capital might be a good choice. This is one of the sweaters that I picked up as a challenge. The entire surface is decorated with a newsprint pattern, and a closer look reveals text and photos of what appears to be an article about the brand's "KOUNTRY" line, which focuses on craftsmanship! The newsprint pattern is very realistic and detailed. The pattern on the newsprint is so realistic and intricate that it tends to look cheap, but thanks to Capital's superb quality and sense of style, it has been transformed into a cool sweater that has nothing to do with being "ugly. The monotone colors make it surprisingly easy to match. It will also come in handy as a pattern. The yellow happy patches on both elbows make me feel warm and cozy.
38,280 yen
Capital NAKED STORE
03-5725-3923
kapital-webshop.jp

BOW WOW
Bau Wow Sweatshirt

A side road on the high road.
The vintage market is on the rise these days. The most prominent of these is the sweatshirt, and the vintage sweatshirts of the olden days are now attracting attention once again. Many brands have reissued the retro-fitted parka, peanuts, and composer series, but Bow Wow, with its unique perspective on vintage clothing, has its sights set on the "snow-print sweatshirt. I love Bau Wow's sense of style in focusing once again on this item, which has been called a masterpiece but, surprisingly, has not seen the light of day. I couldn't help but say to myself, "Here it comes! I couldn't help but groan. The vintage processing, a specialty of Bau Wow, is still alive and well in this new collection, and even up close, you could easily mistake it for the original. The photos also show the faded and burnt look of the body. If I were a vintage clothing buyer, I would probably pick this up by mistake. The original material is a strange selection and realistic processing. I guess you could say that it's a combination of two techniques and one piece of work.
¥36,300
C30
03-6384-5811
c30-bowwow.com

TOTOKEN
We are busy with weekly group runs, organizing events, and trial runs with manufacturers, so we don't have any races, but we are busy with something else. Oh, anyway, I will be running in Takao on New Year's Eve again this year. Please feel free to join us if the timing works for you.





NNormal
Normal trail running shoes

Finally, full-scale development in Japan.
One of the superstars of the trail running scene is Kilian Jornet from Spain. In addition to his spectacular race results, he has an overwhelming resume as a mountain athlete, having climbed Mount Everest twice in a single week and setting speed records in mountains all over the world. In 2022, he launched the outdoor brand "Normal. The "Tomir" shoes here are an all-round model that can be used for everything from trail running to hiking. The high-strength upper is sewn to the midsole, and the outsole is fully equipped with Vibram's Mega Grip. While the durability is overwhelming, on the other hand, the look really pops. Even the ergonomically placed diagonal laces look so stylish that you'd think they were a design touch. The philosophy of Kilian Jornet, an athlete, can be seen everywhere in this ambitious work. We will keep an eye on the future development of this brand to see how it will be accepted in the trail running market, which is crowded with many different brands.
¥27,500
normal
www.nnormal.com/ja_JP/

TANNUKI
Raccoon dog glove

A new approach to sports gloves.
Surprisingly, there are no gloves that can be used in sports situations that are playful. Most of them are five-finger gloves, black in color, and sometimes covered with mittens. I understand that it is difficult to differentiate them greatly since their purpose is to keep hands warm and protected, but to be honest, they are not very interesting. In the midst of all this, the Japanese running wear brand "Tanuki" has taken a new approach to the three-finger mitten type and given it shape. The mittens cover the other fingers while the thumb and index finger are independent. The independent thumb and index finger can be used to easily perform small tasks such as operating a smartphone or eating a meal. The thin, soft-feeling material is water-absorbent, quick-drying, form-stabilizing, and UV-protective, and a portion of the wrist is made of stretch material for smooth on/off. The color variations of khaki and camel are also unique to Tanuki. These sports gloves are a great way to add variety to your style. You may want to buy two colors for yourself.
¥6,600
TANNUKI
tannuki.com

MERRELL
Merrell shoes.

A hidden gem is exactly what this is.
Lately, I've been wearing sandals exclusively. They are simply easier to put on and take off. The lightness inherent in running shoes is something I can't get rid of, but when I'm going back and forth between the changing rooms, bathrooms, and bar area at TOTOKEN, sandals are just so much more convenient. In an effort to expand my sandal selection, I searched the Internet and found the "Encore Bypass 2" by Merrell. Unlike the famous "Jungle Moc" and the recently popular "Hydro Moc," these slide shoes have a plain, inorganic design. The upper is made of full-grain leather with excellent breathability mesh, and the insole features the "Comfort Base™ Active," which conforms to the individual foot shape, and is loaded with Merrell's signature features. This is a hidden gem reminiscent of the Merrell of yesteryear, anonymous yet assertive in its function. I have a feeling that it will slowly gain popularity on a different vector from the fashion trend (maybe...).
¥13,200
MERRELL
merrell.com

SUUNTO
Suunto Bone Conduction Earphones

No way product.
I have been using "Suunto" watches since I first started trail running. I have a longing for the "Vector" watches that once took the world by storm, and they are simply cool. Its rugged yet stylish design is highly appreciated not only by runners and outdoor athletes, but also in the fashion world. Suunto's newly released product is, as you might expect, a sports headphone. This product is named "Suunto Wing. The headphones are bone-conduction type that do not block the ears, and are waterproof and dustproof. LED lights on both sides ensure visibility at night. In addition to the button operation, the headphones also have the added functions of sports headphones, such as the ability to select songs and make calls by moving the head. The long battery life of 10 hours on a one-hour full charge is also attractive. I usually don't listen to music when I run, but with these headphones, I can safely enjoy both running and music.
¥33,800
SUUNTO
www.suunto.com

Dentist.
Looking back, when I was a child, going to the dentist was painful and the doctor looked like the devil (laughs). Now I regularly go to the dentist for cleanings. It is located in Sancha, a small, cozy clinic with jazz music playing in the background, which is very comfortable. By the way, the doctor is also a painter, and his work has been selected for the Nika Exhibition.






AMIRI
Amiri Parka


An evolving brand.
One of the brands that surprised me at the Paris Men's Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2024, which I covered in June this year, was Amiri. I had the impression that Amiri was a California street brand, but what appeared on the runway were extremely elegant clothes with a resort-like feel. Many of the pieces were intricately made, including a crocheted leather cardigan and a bouclé set-up covered in sequins, and while based on street fashion, the brand seems to be searching for a new men's fashion since its entry into Paris. While there is such a main collection, there are also standard items available. This parka is one of them. The graphic on the black body is very cool. Moreover, it is not a print, but an elaborate design combining patches and embroidery. I like that you can feel the brand's attention to detail in this area as well. We can't take our eyes off the evolving "Amiri" brand.
¥220,000
Amiri/Staff International Japan Client Services
0120-106-067
amiri.com

barbell object
Barbell Object Pants

Put them on and you'll feel like a Londoner.
Suddenly, I received a mysterious e-mail with the subject line, "This is Danjo. When I opened it, I found a message telling me that a new work of art had been created. The sender is the owner of the famous restaurant "JOHN" in Yoyogi Uehara. The sender is the owner of "JOHN," a well-known restaurant in Yoyogi Uehara, and the text is accompanied by a smiley face emoji, which is a nice touch. The new item is a pair of leather pants specially ordered from "Barbel Objects," a brand that just debuted in 2023AW, and whose designer and background are undisclosed.To learn more, please click here.Released at the beginning of the second season, this pair is based on UK training pants. Mr. Danjo says, "I was inspired by the people I see every time I visit England, who wear leather goods without worrying about the rain, so I asked them to produce these pants. Combining soft sheepskin from England and a warm lining, these pants are leather pants, but you could call them easy pants.
¥125,000
John.
03-6407-0177
Instagram: @aiamjohn @ojnadihciuy

UNFILO
Anfilo jackets and pants

A hidden gem to wear up or down.
HOUYHNHNM's special feature, "ABC's of Knowing Anfilo," was presented in two parts, the first and second.We were able to create an article that delves into the Anfilo brand based on 26 keywords from "A" to "Z" in a way that we have never expressed before. If you haven't checked it out yet, please take a look. I introduced this blouson and pants in the article. One of my personal favorites, with a solid military-based design. The "Polartec" fleece fabric keeps you warm and is useful in this cold season. I recommend wearing them as a set-up. You almost don't have to think about how to coordinate them, and they look great no matter who wears them. It seems like there are casual wear that can be worn with this kind of top and bottom, but it's hard to find.
¥36,300
Onward Kashiyama
03-5476-5811
unfilo.com

HAMILTON
Hamilton Military Watches

Everything is just right.
The other day, I visited a Hamilton event. Among the watches lined up at the event, the first one that caught my eye was the Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mecha. It is a reissue of a military watch made for the Royal Air Force exactly 50 years ago, and I was struck by the simple yet intrepid look of the black dial. The compact 36 x 33 mm case made of stainless steel is recommended for men with thin wrists like me, and I think it looks cool on women as well. And with a power reserve of 80 hours, there is no need to wind the mainspring every day. And I like the gray NATO-type belt that seems to fit in with all kinds of casual styles. Looks, function, and price. This watch encompasses the three important factors in buying.
¥124,300
Hamilton/Swatch Group Japan
03-6254-7371
www.hamiltonwatch.com

HIP HOP was bad again this year.
December was also really great to go to Larry June and Alchemist shows and see the rappers and DJs I always see on the same stage enjoying HIP HOP the way they like it. On the contrary, nothing looks more miserable at the end of the year than the arrogant behavior of old authority figures. Thanks again for all your hard work this year.





KEISUKE KUWATA
Keisuke Kuwata's book "The Unbearable Lightness of a Pop Singer"

The chic and stylish way of life in the Showa era.
Although there is the question of whether or not the person is posting or doing it in the first place, one of the major benefits of SNS is the increased opportunity to learn about music and the movies and books that people you are interested in are watching or listening to. This book by Keisuke Kuwata was also one that I was interested in when I saw it posted on SNS by FREEZ, a rapper based in Fukuoka. I went to a bookstore the next day and bought it, and turned the pages on the train on my way to work. I smiled so much that it was dangerous to read the book in public, so I closed it and put it away in my bag. I am not of the generation that lived through the Showa period, so I did not actually see, hear, or experience it with my own eyes, but I admire the outlandish yet chic and inelegant way of life that only a Showa man could lead. Both Keisuke Kuwata and FREEZ embody that chic and inert way of life in my mind. By the way, Yuko Hara's "Diary of a Wife" in the afterword was also a very moving piece of writing.
¥2,500
Bungeishunju
pr@bunshun.co.jp

SATOKO SHIBATA
Satoko Shibata's book, "The Diary of a Cut-off, 2017-2023"

I also want to go to live shows.
While I rarely go to the bookstore on the release day of a regularly published magazine anymore, "Bungakukai" is one of the few monthly magazines that I pay attention to. In particular, I am particularly interested in the Series "Kireigire no humming" by singer/songwriter Satoko Shibata, who decides on a theme for each issue and writes in the limited space of a single page, her style in full bloom. The year before last, Ms. Fujita of "Marfa by Kazuhiko Fujita" introduced me to Satoko Shibata at "FEVER" in Niyoda, and she was exactly as I had heard her on sound recordings and seen her live. I felt as if I was being led by the meaning of the text written in "Kireigire no humming". The Series that started in 2017 reached its final installment in the October issue of this year's "Bungakukai" and was transformed into a book, "Kireigire no Diary 2017-2023," which was published on October 23. The cover is by Shiori Ikeno, a photographer who has been my friend since my previous job. I see that Satoko Shibata has a rather large mirror in her home, and it makes me want to look through a magnifying glass to see what CDs she has. I would also like to go to the live concert.
¥2,310
Satoko Shibata
Instagram: @batayanworld
https://shibatasatoko.com/

JJJ
JJJ's "Maktub" 2LP

SORA set.
I had been talking about wanting to hear JJJ's new album and see his one-man show with various people at clubs and over drinks since last year, and I found out that his 3rd album "MAKTUB" was released in May of this year and that he was going to perform at "CLUB CITTA'" in his hometown on June 9. I met up with SORA-san, who has been a great help to me, at Kawasaki station and we went to see him. We had a lot of fun talking about the album at a Chinese restaurant before the show, and the show was just great. The other day, when I visited SORA-san at his house, I found the lyric card with the "MAKTUB" CD, which was handwritten by JJJ, open and I heard that he had been reading it and listening to it. So, for me, "MAKTUB" is not only a bad piece of work, but also a set of memories with SORA. When I heard that "MAKTUB" was to be released on 2LP, there was no reason not to buy it, so I immediately pre-ordered it. I received it at the end of the year, and I would like to listen to it slowly at the end of this year. Please listen to it together with JJJ's.
¥5,280
JJJ
Instagram: @__j_j_j___
spaceshowerstore.com/artist/020757

SENNINSHO & S-KAINE
Senninsho & S-KAINE's "82-01" CD

Rappers are dark heroes.
When I was told that "80% of the media and players don't have much weight in their words," I thought I had to be the other 20%, so I went to any live show or DJ show with a feeling similar to "He was my hero at the high school I went to when I was desperate to get him to turn his back on me. I would go to live shows and DJs whenever there was a show, and "I wish I had a machine gun in my hand while waiting for the rescue team to arrive" would push me to head for the underpass of Shinjuku station. I was heading for the underpass of Shinjuku station, pushed by "I wish I had a machine gun in my hand while waiting for the rescue to arrive. Hideo's HIP HOP has always been too special for me. This year, we drank till morning in Kinshicho and Ebisu, and had a lot of fun in places where no sound could be heard. And "82_01" released on November 20 is a joint work with S-Kaine from Osaka. The two of you will be performing live at "Bachika" on December 30 and "Shibuya Family" on December 31, so please listen to the soundtrack and go and play. If you ask Mr. Hideo if he saw HOUYHNHNM's, he may treat you to a drink or two at the end of the year.
¥2,750
cactus
Instagram: @_senninsho_
S-Kaine
Instagram: @skaine_juda

iPhone broken.
We are in the midst of a rave breakdown. This is the third time this year it has failed. I've had the screen cracked twice, and this time it mysteriously reboots after about 2 minutes when the power comes on. I was told that it would take a few days to repair it, so I decided to mail order it, but I'm having trouble getting it at all. It's not good to be in a hurry, really.





HOUDINI
Houdini Insulation

Short sleeves are correct!
I like vests and wear them a lot in the winter, but one day I thought, hey? One day, I noticed that my arms and armpits were getting cold. I thought it would be better if the center of my body, in other words, my trunk, was warmer. I thought it would be better if the center of my body, in other words, my torso, was warmer, but it felt like it was getting chilly.... I don't know if it's old age or the cold wave, but I thought, "This is just too much," and then I found something that fits the bill. It is a short-sleeved insulated jacket by Houdini, and it is very nice. The outer layer is made of water-repellent ripstop, and the inner lining is made of PrimaLoft Gold Active+, which makes it breathable, quick-drying, windproof, and comfortable to wear all the time without taking it on and off frequently. It keeps the thick vascular areas such as the neck and sides of the body warm, but is not easily steamy, and even when wet, well, it is no problem. Definitely a handy one to have.
30,800 each
Full Marks
www.full-marks.com

KEEN
Keen winter sandals

I think I might have worn them the most?
I have a pair of sandals in my office, and this fall/winter I chose "Keen" sandals. This pair is part of the "Hauser" series, and has a cute, quirky design with a patchwork upper made from recycled car seat scraps. The micro fleece liner is warm and the open heel makes it easy to put on and take off, and the moderate breathability is very nice. They are so comfortable that I even wore them straight home.... So, in a sense, I think these are the shoes I have worn the most. I tend to choose sandals for the workplace at random, but this pair made me realize that the level of comfort can vary quite a bit. The heel of the sole is rolled up, so I think they are good for driving a car!
¥14,850
Keen Japan
www.keenfootwear.jp

BEAMS T
Beams T sweatshirt

balanced circle
This year, summer turned into winter in one fell swoop, and I hardly felt the autumn season at all. Rather than thinking about what to wear as outerwear, I have been looking at middle-of-the-road items such as fleece and sweatshirts that I can wear even when the weather gets colder. One of them is this sweatshirt from "BEAMS T". The short-sleeved T-shirt was followed by a long T-shirt and a parka, and I've been wearing this sweatshirt a lot because I think it has just the right balance of the lined fabric that can be worn for a long season, the softness of the fabric, and the size. The 18.7 ounce American cotton spun into open-ended yarn is solid, and the price is reasonable, so I thought it would be a good idea to get multiple colors!
¥11,000
BEAMS T Harajuku
03-3470-8601
www.beams.co.jp/beamst/

Malibu Sandals
Sandals by Malibu Sandals

Stuffed animal-like.
Perhaps it is because I like shoes that can be worn casually, but I tend to respond to footwear that is easy to slip on and off. I like the warm look of the fur, which looks like Chewbacca from "Star Wars," and I like the voluminous feel of this pair from "Malibu Sandals. This kind of item for men might be a little too choosy, but the ruggedness of the rubber sole makes them surprisingly easy to wear. There is a different color, black, but I personally think it looks a bit heavy, so this color is better for me. I am convinced that they were inspired by the wild coyotes in California. If you make the white socks and other things you put on lighter, it will be a nice touch.
¥19,800
seed corporation
054-282-2112