『My Freedamn! Vol.5』 (1)

Rintaro Tanaka Interview

『My Freedamn! Vol.5』 Special Talk to Commemorate Completion: Part 1

From 『My Freedamn! Vol.5』 pp. 234-235

Rintaro Tanaka's latest work, 『My Freedamn! Vol.5』, was released in December 2006. OPENERS conducted an urgent interview with Mr. Tanaka, who was back in Japan for the pre-release preparations. Over the next three installments, we will share his latest thoughts, including details about the book.

From the Introduction of 『My Freedamn! Vol.5』

The Theme: The Fifties Before Elvis

—First, I'd like to ask about the latest issue of 『My Freedamn!』. What is the content this time?

TanakaThe theme is "The Fifties." But "the Fifties" can actually span quite a long period. Elvis emerged in 1954 and became a star in '56. Generally, the Fifties refers to the culture after Elvis's breakthrough, meaning from '56 onwards. However, this book deliberately focuses on the Fifties *before* Elvis.

—So, it includes the 1940s as well?

TanakaThat's right. In terms of years, it's from 1939 up to around the Korean War. Actually, I initially planned to focus on the post-Elvis era. I was creating the content for this book as an introduction to that, but the introduction alone turned into a whole book. Therefore, I'm already working on the next volume, Vol. 6, simultaneously. That one will feature the Fifties world that most people are familiar with, more akin to rockabilly.

Cover of 『My Freedamn! Vol.5』

The Period Just Before the Peak is Always the Most Delicious

—But I think many people like the Fifties depicted in this Vol. 5.

TanakaYes, I agree. The truly delicious Fifties are, after all, before Elvis. With any culture, isn't the period just before it reaches its peak the best? Once it becomes a boom, it gets diluted. That's why many vintage clothing enthusiasts prefer the Fifties before Elvis.

—However, your starting point was the post-Elvis era, wasn't it?

TanakaYes, surprisingly, there aren't many books about post-Elvis Fifties fashion in the world. There are many books on cars and furniture, but strangely few on clothing. So, I thought I'd do it.

—Why do you think that is?

TanakaAs I discovered while working on it, there are many opinionated people. That's probably why no one had tackled it before (laughs). And the sheer volume is immense!

—That speaks to how much America was producing during that era, doesn't it?

TanakaExactly. I believe the 20th century was the American century, and the Fifties, in particular, represented the pinnacle of 20th-century culture.

(To be continued)