UNITED ARROWS | Osamu Shigematsu on Future Dreams and Hopes

UNITED ARROWS

UNITED ARROWS 25th Anniversary Special Interview (4)

Osamu Shigematsu on His Future Dreams and Hopes

"I was at Beams from 1976, and I was always involved in overseas buying, constantly observing what was where in Europe and America, what their living environments were like, and what excelled," says Osamu Shigematsu. "Now, I want to create a function that introduces and expresses Japan's unique, high-level craftsmanship to the world."

Photographs by SUZUKI SimpeiText by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)

Reaffirming the Brilliance of the Japanese People

UNITED ARROWS operates with the following guiding principles:

We are a group that continuously creates new values
that will become THE STANDARDS OF JAPANESE STYLE.

"The core of our business remains unchanged: customer-first. All the answers are on the shop floor. Our foundation is to be the first to sense what our customers want next, to propose and guide them with what we consider 'the best of food, clothing, and shelter right now,' and to have them purchase it with satisfaction. If we can achieve this, we can possess true leadership," says Shigematsu.

When asked about his antenna for information, he replies, "In the past, overseas information was primary, but just following others won't show us the way forward. Recently, I've been meeting and exchanging information with 'lifestyle sages' in fields like domestic architecture, antique dealing, and cuisine."

"I believe that the Japanese spirit, aesthetic sense, sense of balance, values, and morals are far superior to those in the West. My future challenge will be how to digest and express these within this company."

Communicating the Greatness of Japan to the World

"When designing the Harajuku store with Ricardo Bofill, if we suggested, 'This part is difficult to use, please change it like this,' the response we received was even more brilliant than we had imagined. I've experienced such interactions with creators in various contexts, and foreigners are amazed by the high level of Japanese spirituality after the earthquake," he shares.

"Japan has a wonderful culture and extremely high levels of craftsmanship, and I believe there is a new trend emerging from that. Using Ricardo Bofill as an example, I often feel that encounters with Japanese people these days are far more profound and impressive. With Japan gaining more attention after the earthquake, I want to establish a store that correctly communicates Japan to the outside world and do something significant."

He envisions this space in Ginza, idealizing it as a modern Japanese version of the Oriental Bazaar. "I believe the store will be a catalyst, but I want to convey to the world that the Japanese people are amazing!" he says, sharing his current dream.

UNITED ARROWS
http://www.united-arrows.co.jp/

UNITED ARROWS 25th Anniversary Special Site
http://www.25th.united-arrows.co.jp/