Series: Osamu Shigematsu | "Weekly Osamu Shigematsu" Vol. 9: You Buy a Car by Its Grille
Famous Quotes, Famous Sayings, Memorable Quotes: "Shigematsu Osamu Weekly"
Part 9: You Buy a Car by Its Front Grille
"Shigematsu Osamu Weekly," where Osamu Shigematsu shares his thoughts on the present while introducing a selection of the over 400 pairs of shoes he has worn. For the ninth installment, he discusses "FLORSHEIM," an American brand he frequently purchased during business trips to the U.S. when he worked at Beams. He also shares his car philosophy as a fan of American automobiles.
Narrated by Osamu ShigematsuWritten by OPENERSPhotographed by JAMANDFIX
My Favorite "Okame" Shoes, Worn Since My Student Days
These are a pair from the "Imperial" series, the high-end line from the long-established American brand "FLORSHEIM."
I bought them frequently on business trips to America. Back then, they cost around 38,000 yen. For American shoes, that was very expensive. The Alden cordovan shoes from Brooks Brothers and these Florsheims were pricey.
I really liked wearing these cordovan "okame" shoes. I started wearing them in college, and even during my time at Beams, I paired them with jeans, styling them similarly to how one would wear round-toed shoes.
"FLORSHEIM"
You Buy a Car by Its Front Grille
I grew up in Zushi, and whenever His Majesty the Emperor visited the Imperial Villa in Hayama, he would always arrive in a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The Phantom is a car reserved for heads of state, royalty, and nobility, and the impact of that sight has stayed with me. There is no car superior to it. So, when asked, "What kind of car do you want?" I would always answer, "A Rolls-Royce."
I just love that front grille modeled after the Parthenon. That's why I also owned a Cadillac. Besides Rolls-Royce, I've only driven American cars (laughs). I buy cars based on their front grilles.
United Arrows Great East Japan Earthquake Charity Project
Charity Project "MOVING ON TOGETHER!"
Next week (September 5th),"Tokyo Skytree"will be the topic.