CLASSICO

Proposing a Lifestyle Rooted in Daily Life

Tucked away in Yanaka, CLASSICO is a shop that reflects its owner's discerning taste, offering unadorned, functional clothing, tableware for everyday use, and antiques that embody the beauty of utility.

Text by Takashi Kato

An Uncluttered Presence Embodying the Beauty of Utility

Yanaka in Taito Ward is a temple town district, retaining an old-world charm with its narrow alleys and sloping streets. It's an area rich in cultural scent, once home to literary giants like Mori Ōgai and Natsume Sōseki, and now featuring attractions such as the Asakura Museum of Sculpture and galleries showcasing contemporary art.

Opened in this area in August 2006, CLASSICO is a shop themed around "antiques, clothes, crafts, life," with its name derived from "classic" and "kurashi" (life/living).

The lifestyle CLASSICO aims for is one that is always forward-looking and humane. This is none other than sincerely engaging with various matters filled with pride in life.

The owner, Mr. Takahashi, embodies this spirit in his own life, which feels remarkably serene. His concept is straightforward: it stems from the simple idea of asking, "What is truly necessary for daily life?" It is precisely for this reason that the tools selected with his own eyes and hands, resonating with the philosophy of Mingei (Japanese folk craft), are devoid of any superfluous elements.

"Clothing," a symbol of human lifestyle, is represented by basic, timeless standards. Each item in the store carries the owner's quiet confidence, pride, and meticulous attention to detail, radiating a gentle warmth. Visitors to this shop often find themselves returning, drawn by a charm that mirrors the warmth of this neighborhood.

The phrase "beauty of utility" by Sōetsu Yanagi, the founder of Mingei, perfectly describes this shop. Beauty born from everyday use, a healthy aesthetic unburdened by pretense, resides in the honesty of diligent daily life. Therefore, the shop's approach, grounded in everyday living, is precious, and it stands as one of the few establishments that sincerely proposes a life lived with earnestness.