Aren't Those Stockings Too Hot? Why Are Your Nails Always Beige?

ChicoFundamentally, a person's history is reflected in their expressions. Because their very being, including all their flaws, is etched there, it gains a wonderful depth and only improves with age. It's a shame to scrutinize it for wrinkles and spots, isn't it?

NinagawaThat's certainly true. But even if we send out this message, will everyone truly understand it? If we just say, 'It's okay to be yourself, just as you are,' it's too abstract. People might stop there, wondering, 'So, what should I do?'

I often hear stories, for example, about women who want to dress a certain way for work but feel they can't because everyone will comment on it. It seems to be a real issue. In Marunouchi, for some reason, everyone walks around in stockings and sandals (laughs).

ChicoHmm (laughs). If you're doing it because you like it, that's fine. But if you're doing it just because everyone else is, that's a bit disappointing.

NinagawaA friend of mine wants to wear sunglasses, but she's too embarrassed, thinking people will see her as trying to act like a celebrity. I think, 'Why?' But perhaps the trigger lies in such small things. Taking off stockings, or wearing sunglasses – just small steps. I believe the first step can be something that small, something achievable. Small things can become triggers, allowing us to gradually free ourselves. For starters, as a way to help create those triggers, I might try saying to people I meet, 'Aren't those stockings too hot?' or 'Why are your nails always beige?' (laughs).

ChicoUltimately, it's about confidence, isn't it? Given the Japanese temperament, isn't it easier to stay within the established norms? After all, you just need to imitate others. To say, 'I don't care, I'm fine like this,' surely takes courage.

NinagawaSpeaking of courage, when I was about five years old, my father lectured me in front of Shinjuku Station. The path split into two. To the right, there were many people, and to the left, hardly anyone. My father said, 'Everyone is going to the right, but if you want to go left, you must be someone who can go left, even if you're alone.' Raised that way, how did I turn out? Well, I became the kind of person who, even if I actually want to go right because everyone else is, will stubbornly go left out of spite (laughs).

ChicoHahaha. That's a wonderful story (laughs).

NinagawaIn any case, because I was raised like that, I can easily say, 'It's okay to be yourself.' But for most people, it's not that simple. Looking at my friends, they all struggle to take that first step.

ChicoHow can we convey that it's okay to be as you are?

NinagawaOne thing I can say is, don't be swayed by information. For example, in recent years, magazines are filled with images of young, beautiful mothers in their 30s and 40s who are successful in their careers and have children – it's presented as the norm, but frankly, that's impossible! It's unrealistic.

Most people are working themselves to death, struggling through days where even applying mascara feels heavy, yet we're constantly told, 'This is the shape of ultimate happiness.' It's sad. Happiness itself doesn't have a single form. Some find happiness in their careers, others enjoy raising children, and conversely, those without children should have many opportunities precisely because they don't have them.

ChicoExactly!

NinagawaThere will be times when we can't do certain things or have to give up on them, but even then, it's about finding a way to turn things towards happiness. Aren't there many joyful things around us? If we can notice them, our days will become much more enjoyable.

By Simply Changing Your Perspective, the World Becomes This Interesting!

NinagawaIf you're looking for something enjoyable, photography is recommended. When you view the world with the intention of taking photos, your field of vision expands, and you'll find many wonderful things.

ChicoThat's wonderful. Actually, I've been wanting to ask you about photography. Mika, how do you decide on the themes for your work?

NinagawaI don't really decide on them. I just shoot what I want to shoot, always. Because a shutter chance only comes once. The best time to shoot is when you think, 'Ah, how beautiful!'

In fact, when I photograph things like flowers for my work, I usually only take one shot. I don't even try to take a 'good' photo; it's simply, 'Ah, how beautiful!' I always wish my eyes were cameras. There's nothing extraneous there, no concern for whether it's 'Mika Ninagawa-esque' or anything else. The only thing that matters is how closely my emotions can connect with the act of pressing the shutter.

ChicoThat's fascinating. Is there a commonality in what you perceive as 'Ah, beautiful'?

NinagawaHmm, I wonder. I haven't really thought about it consciously. But shutter speeds, like 1/60 or 1/30 of a second – for example, at 1/30 of a second, you're capturing one moment out of 30 moments in a second, right? Thinking about it that way, there was a moment when I realized how incredible it is. Photography is something that preserves things, and not just the simple fact that a flower was beautiful to the eye, but also the feelings and the scene – like it looked beautiful because I was with so-and-so, or because I was feeling mellow in the soft evening sun when I saw the flower. I truly realized that it captures and preserves all of that.

ChicoIs that like capturing time?

NinagawaYes. It's a phrase I hear often, but it was a moment when I truly felt its meaning.

ChicoI see.

NinagawaIt makes me realize anew how interesting the world can be just by changing one's perspective. So, I really hope everyone tries it.

If you were handed a camera and told to photograph whatever you liked for the next ten minutes, you'd definitely be desperate to find something wonderful, so you'd encounter many interesting things.

ChicoEncountering wonderful things makes you excited, doesn't it? And I believe that kind of stimulation makes people beautiful. Therefore, the answer to the question 'How can people become beautiful?' is 'searching for wonderful things.'

A Proposal to Live Authentically and Truly

Mika Ninagawa x Chico SHIGETA: An Exciting Dialogue (Part 2)

“If You're Looking for Something Wonderful, Photography That Captures a Moment is Recommended” (3)

Excitement is Contagious, So Let's All Get Excited Together!

NinagawaSearching for wonderful things – that's great. When I decide, 'I'm going to shoot this,' that switch flips, and everything looks sparkling. I think this is good for mental health, so I recommend it (laughs).

ChicoI believe excitement is contagious. So, let's all get excited together.

NinagawaAs adults, we tend to compare ourselves to others and think, 'I'm nothing, I'm just...' But I say that's a waste of time. If you make a little effort to notice, you'll find that happy things are quite ordinary. For example, the happiness of brewing a delicious cup of tea, or the happiness of a warm futon.

ChicoOr the happiness of a warm futon that smells good (laughs).

NinagawaExactly (laughs). In any case, just finding those moments makes a difference, I think. It makes you more positive and boosts your confidence. However, sometimes comparison is important. But that's with 'yourself.'

ChicoHuh? What do you mean by that?

NinagawaI've decided for myself that 'I get more beautiful every year!' (laughs). So, I compare myself to my past self: 'Am I more beautiful than last year?' or 'Am I better off than I was the year before last?' It's the same with my work. 'Am I working harder than I did before?' or 'Has my speed decreased compared to before?' 'Is my creativity okay?' I'm always comparing myself to my past self.

ChicoWow! Mika, you're incredibly serious about your life.

NinagawaI hate being idle. Whenever I have free time, I'm always doing something. Right now, I'm really into gardening at my parents' house. Every weekend, I go there and plant flower seedlings. So, in that sense, I'm serious about both work and personal life (laughs).

ChicoOr rather, isn't there no distinction between work and personal life for you? It doesn't seem like there's much need to separate them.

NinagawaThat's true. After all, I take lots of photos of the flowers I plant, and my work is so much fun, it feels like playing (laughs).

ChicoI feel the same way (laughs). If it's fun, there's no need to separate work and personal life. Just be as you are. Let's live authentically!

I was truly honored to meet you today. Everything I heard about your approach to creation and your perspective, Mika, made me think, 'I see~,' it was all so 'interesting.' Your very way of life is exciting.

NinagawaThe same goes for you, Chico!

ChicoI had a wonderful time sharing so many thoughts with you today. Thank you very much.

<Adam et Ropé Biotop x Bio PASCAL x SHIGETA
Special Bio Beauty Event>
September 6 (Mon) and 7 (Tue), 2010, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM daily
A talk show featuring Chiaki Yoshikawa, beauty expert and founder of Bio Pascal, and Chico SHIGETA, founder of SHIGETA!
With support from

Adam et Ropé Biotop
4-6-44 Shirakane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3444-2421
http://biotop.adametrope.com/

SHIGETA JAPAN
0120-945-995
www.shigeta.fr