President Ogawa is on the left.

Creativity Requires Self-Expression

Tomooki MatsudaPresident Ogawa, you have many diverse interests. Cigars, gourmet cooking, pottery, opera...

Hiroshi OgawaCurrently, I'm particularly engrossed in pottery and opera. I started pottery about six years ago. In the beginning, perhaps due to the fearlessness of a novice, I could create piece after piece rapidly. But then I hit a wall, like an artistic barrier. My creativity would cease. Now, I've moved past that point of not knowing what to do, and I can create things that feel truly right.
It's incredibly rewarding to see my ideas take shape as physical objects. It's the same with my work; the process of developing stores and new products is immensely enjoyable for me.

MatsudaWhen creating pottery, is there anything you particularly value?

OgawaRecently, an NHK program featured a craftsman of Raku ware. He was creating with an incredibly modern sensibility while upholding the tradition of 'Raku.' Seeing that made me feel that as a beginner, still new to pottery, I shouldn't be bound by conventional methods. I realized the importance of self-expression.

MatsudaSelf-expression, you say?

OgawaYes. Among my current pottery companions, there are about three foreigners. For them, it's their first experience with pottery, and they might not have even touched clay before.
Yet, they create pieces that make you marvel, thinking, 'Is this what one can make?'
It's not about technical skill in pottery; it's the creativity and joy that emanate from their work. For them, what others are making is irrelevant. They are simply expressing what they want to express, in the way they want to express it – true self-expression.

Opera and Business Share Similarities

MatsudaWhat about opera?

OgawaFor me, watching opera is like medicine, a way to refresh myself.
In a great opera, even the townspeople and the chorus members play crucial roles. When you observe the overall composition, the balance of costumes, and their demeanor, it sometimes feels like observing a magnificent painting. And then, of course, they sing. Even the townspeople participate, and their voices create a beautiful harmony.
I feel this structure is applicable to a company as well. In our case, perhaps I am the conductor, and the shareholders are the theater owners. If my conducting is deemed inadequate, I could be replaced (laughs). But now, I've been appointed, so I assemble the orchestra and even cast the roles for the performance. While not everyone can be an opera star, if even the townspeople don't support the leads, the opera will never be complete.
It's hard to say who plays the role of the townspeople, but everyone has a part to play. Those entrusted with lead roles are in the spotlight, but they must also withstand the pressure to deliver results. I wield the baton to manage everything.
The audience, in essence the customers, and the theater owners observing from the second balcony – the shareholders – are the ones who evaluate this. Of course, I don't think about the company when I'm watching an opera (laughs).

MatsudaLast year, when the Hermès Ginza store was renovated, a party was held (※Matsuda is formerly of Hermès Japon). Hermès approaches store design with the concept of inviting cherished guests into their home. At that time, there was a discussion about the staff offering some form of hospitality.
So, we actually asked composer Toshiaki Nishiura for guidance, and the idea was for 'all staff to sing a song.' The staff practiced intensely after closing. But at one point, Mr. Nishiura became upset, saying, 'Hermès cannot present something so embarrassing.' Perhaps it was his characteristic dramatic flair (laughs), but the staff were inspired by his words and practiced even harder. It might sound cliché, but at the performance, something wonderful was presented in a very warm and inviting atmosphere.

OgawaWonderful. That might be the culture of Hermès.
Speaking of which, there's the Roppongi Men's Chorus founded by Mr. Nishiura, isn't there? It was originally called the Roppongi Former Young Boys' Chorus (laughs). As you know, it's a chorus composed of individuals active in various fields, including politics and entertainment. I recently had the chance to hear them perform at a Monaco gathering. Around 100 people, including actor Eiji Okuda and former DPJ leader Tsutomu Hata, were there. It gave me goosebumps. They were incredibly skilled. But aren't they all very busy people? Mr. Nishiura said, 'Persistence is strength.'
If the Hermès staff sang under Mr. Nishiura's direction, it must have been a remarkable performance.

Profile

President, Baccarat Pacific Co., Ltd.
Hiroshi Ogawa

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1948. Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Law, Department of Law. Joined Esso Sekiyu (now Exxon) in '70. Participated in the establishment of Baccarat Pacific in '83, served as Managing Director, and assumed his current position in '94. He also concurrently serves as representative of the Singapore subsidiary and director of the US subsidiary.
In '97, he was awarded the Chevalier of the National Order of Merit by the French government.

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Limited Time: July 14, 2007 (Sat) – August 31, 2007 (Fri)
Baccarat × Mori Art Museum
B bar Roppongi Limited Original Cocktail
'Lumière de Ronchamp'

In collaboration with the Mori Art Museum's exhibition 'Le Corbusier: Architectures and Art, the Trajectory of Creation,' running until September 24th, Baccarat's directly managed bar, 'B bar Roppongi,' is offering a limited-time original cocktail, 'Lumière de Ronchamp.'

A tribute to Le Corbusier, the master architect of France,
the cocktail captures the essence of his preferred Southern French spirit, Pastis, and the white and radiance of his iconic religious architecture, the Notre Dame du Haut chapel in Ronchamp, creating a perfect summer drink. Priced at ¥3,000 (incl. tax).

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6-12-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Roppongi Hills, Roppongi Keyakizaka Dori
TEL 03-5414-2907
Open: Mon-Sat 16:00-28:00
Sun/Holidays 16:00-24:00