Let's All Look Inward More

Our guest for this second installment is Mio Matsuura, the acclaimed hairstylist who leads the hair salon 'Twiggy' and consistently offers cutting-edge styles. These two actually have a connection in both work and personal life, making this long-awaited conversation a reality. As soon as Matsuura arrived, Chico immediately took out a SHIGETA blend essential oil.

ChicoMio, how are you feeling right now? I actually apply an oil before each conversation begins.

MatsuuraMy mood... my body is fine, but I'm a little mentally tired (laughs).

ChicoHahaha! Mentally tired!?

ChicoIt's "Midnight Luster." It's for hair, but I think it's meaningful to apply it to the scalp.

MatsuuraThe top of the head is precisely the pathway for 'qi.' I feel like my seventh chakra is resonating strongly right now. When I start massaging from here, it aligns perfectly with the pressure points on the soles of my feet. I feel so refreshed, thank you.

ChicoYou're welcome (laughs). So, I actually have so many things I want to ask you today, Mio. Nowadays, many people are striving so hard to look outward, aren't they? I want to convey that it's okay to be as you are, that you don't have to try so hard. It's about accepting yourself more, feeling yourself as you are... I want people to look inward more.

A Proposal to Live Authentically and Truly
Mio Matsuura of Twiggy × Chico SHIGETA: An Exciting Conversation (Part 1)

“The Hurdles Are Always Within Us” (2)

Resonating with Others While Cherishing Yourself, Not Being Self-Centered

MatsuuraYou know, in my late twenties, I went to London and felt like I learned that I had to take care of myself. Pregnancy in London was the trigger for my relationship with organic products to begin, and it felt like giving birth and detoxifying at the same time (laughs). Before that, I was full of toxins.

ChicoHahaha!

MatsuuraI think that was my standard in my thirties. I wondered why Europeans could be so true to themselves, and why, even when I was trying to be myself back in Tokyo, I felt like I was imitating someone else. I kept searching for what only I could do. My work is to cut hair and make people beautiful, but I believed there must be something only I could do. I realized the answer was within me, and from then on, I started paying attention to myself—what to eat, what to do. Then, I felt like I started to connect better with Europeans.

MatsuuraBecause when you're off balance, you don't realize it yourself, and you won't know until you hit your head. I think everyone is like this; don't we keep going until we feel the pain?

ChicoNo, that's not true, Mio! I'm also the type who doesn't understand until I bump into things, but many people in the world set up subtle cues to avoid collisions.

MatsuuraI happened to live in London, and you happen to be in Paris. I'm not trying to compare Japan and Europe, but wonderful women are wonderful regardless of age.

ChicoThat's very European. In Asia, there's an age hierarchy, but in Europe, there's a tendency for everyone, young and old, to exchange opinions on the same level.

MatsuuraThat's right. I dislike being ranked by age and height.

ChicoHahaha!

MatsuuraSo, even with someone younger, there are people I can instantly respect, and the moment I think, 'This person's skill is amazing,' I immediately engage. I like entering into that, believing I can exchange energy with that person.

A Proposal to Live Authentically and Truly
Mio Matsuura of Twiggy × Chico SHIGETA: An Exciting Conversation (Part 1)

“The Hurdles Are Always Within Us” (3)

Without "En" (Connection), "En" (Circle) Cannot Be Formed

ChicoListening now, I realized that what's amazing about you, Mio, is that you have no boundaries.

MatsuuraYes, I don't create boundaries.

ChicoThat 'lack of boundaries' seems to be present in many areas. The option of 'It's fine, it's cool'—whether it's fashion or agriculture, the sense of 'good is good without being picky' is wonderful. It's a charming, perhaps mischievous, way of releasing tension that isn't straightforward, and I think it's the glamorous part of your heart, Mio. Through your filter, things that fall into the categories of 'cool' or 'wonderful' form your 'Mio Universe.'

MatsuuraThat's true. Looking back now, when I went to London in my late twenties, there were so many 'why' questions because I was a bit arrogant, expecting to be accepted as I was. I'm glad I realized that wasn't the case in my twenties.

ChicoIt's the same in France. When you first study abroad, there are an overwhelming number of 'whys.' That's difficult, isn't it? Having 'whys' in your daily life can be stressful on its own. So, it's better not to overthink it and just accept things as they are, rather than getting too worked up.

ChicoI see. But there's no need to be stoic. I read in an interview with you, Mio, that you said, 'There was a time when I thought being unhealthy was cool,' and I really felt that's why you are who you are today. Having experienced both the bright and the dark sides, and understanding both, allows you to appreciate good things in a three-dimensional way.

MatsuuraIt's about seeing the person from all 360 degrees.

ChicoYes, it's 3D.

MatsuuraBut I've never met anyone who is 360 degrees perfect. Flaws, complexes, like the 'hurdles within myself' I mentioned earlier—aren't they about that? I think people who are striving to overcome their insecurities and complexes are wonderful.

ChicoI think people are interesting precisely because they are imperfect, and that's their charm. The moment you become perfect, you become boring.

MatsuuraI realized this recently: the word for 'circle' is 'en' (円), and when people meet, it's 'en' (縁). They sound the same, but without 'en' (connection), 'en' (circle) cannot be formed. Isn't it that a perfect 'circle' isn't formed by itself, but rather becomes a 'circle' through the collisions between people? Isn't that 'connection'?

ChicoI see.