The Story in a Gift, Born from the Space Between Us

I genuinely enjoy giving gifts. The selection process is fun, and it’s rewarding to see people happy. Lately, I feel I’ve had more opportunities to give gifts. Previously, it was mainly for special occasions like birthdays, but now I find myself giving more casual gifts, including small tokens of appreciation, on ordinary days. When I go out for a meal with friends I haven’t seen in a while, I always bring something as a thank you for reaching out.

Furthermore, my criteria for selecting items seem to have changed. For instance, while there's a clear difference in material value between a 100,000 yen item and an 800 yen item, they are equal when measured by the sentiment of giving. I consider the story behind the gift by imagining the recipient's lifestyle.

If someone usually prefers monochrome clothing, I might suggest an item with a pop of color, thinking, 'Wouldn't this color expand their wardrobe?' Rather than choosing based on brand, price, trends, or novelty, selecting based on the story is far more enjoyable. What does the recipient like? What would make them happy? Cherishing the story that emerges from the space between us is my personal philosophy for gift-giving.

A Gift as a Proxy for My Feelings

My work involves frequent overseas business trips, and I always bring back souvenirs. Recently, foreign clients were delighted with a koinobori (carp streamer) made from washi paper from 'Keijusha,' a specialty washi paper store in Toyama, which BEAMS JAPAN also carries. I explained that koinobori are auspicious decorations for Children's Day and also symbolize upward momentum, which they really appreciated. I gifted it with the sentiment that they could enjoy it as an object, frame it, or simply as an interior decoration.

The BEAMS lifestyle book series, 'BEAMS AT HOME,' is also very popular as a gift. In November, we released the latest installment, 'BEAMS ON LIFE ~ BEAMS, Japan's Leading Creative Collective, Embracing Japanese Culture, Products, and People.' This time, it captures scenes of BEAMS staff incorporating items related to all 47 prefectures into their lifestyles.

Directing this series made me realize that anything embodying a message or possessing a story can be a gift. In that sense, I believe gifts are a proxy for one's feelings.

Gift for a Loved One: Woman

Brass Pot
At this time of year, it gets cold, so everyone drinks tea, right? While preferences for tea leaves or coffee beans can vary, this is something everyone will use. I hope this brass pot enhances their daily life. It also makes a beautiful interior accent, so I highly recommend it.

Gift for a Loved One: Man

Aesop Gift Kit
It might sound cliché, but I often choose cosmetics like Aesop because I'm happy to receive them myself. Kits, in particular, are very useful for travel or the gym. While there are many travel kits for women, there aren't as many for men. For gifts for men, I tend to give things I've found useful myself.

Gift for Myself

Montblanc Pen
For gifts to myself, the keyword is 'something I can cherish for years to come.'
For the past few years, it's been a rider's jacket. I buy one whenever a major project concludes or when I receive an award.
If I were to choose something for myself this holiday season, it would be a Montblanc pen.
Recently, a male business associate sent me sweets as a thank you, saying, 'I didn't have a business card on me the other day.' Enclosed was a card with a handwritten message. I found the analog touch of a handwritten note, rather than an email, to be wonderful. I want to value that kind of effort in communicating with others.

Hiroshi Doiichi
BEAMS Communication Director
After working as a shop staff member in Osaka, he moved to Tokyo to work in men's PR. While handling PR duties, he also served as the point of contact for various collaboration projects and events organized by BEAMS. For many years, he has been a central figure involved not only in apparel but also in anniversary projects and music and art events, including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL. He currently oversees all promotional and sales activities for the BEAMS Group as a director and is known internally and externally as the 'go-to person for anything BEAMS,' a true orchestrator of initiatives.
CurrentlyBEAMS TOKYO CULTURE STORY/Radio, he appears daily on weekdays as a radio DJ.

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