A Person with the Power to Discern Truth, Unswayed by Surface Appearances

ItoThank you. I'll begin by discussing the reading I've prepared based on the name and birthdate you provided.

TeiThank you. I'm looking forward to it.



TeiNot at all, it's quite accurate. For instance, in interviews, I'm often asked if I'm conscious of "creating a trend," but I have no interest in that whatsoever. When designing "amadana," I didn't feel like I was creating something new. My approach was to make something feel new by tapping into what people subconsciously already have. In my music, which is a hobby, I've always listened to older music with a new interpretation, and I think that perspective carries over into my design work. So, I don't think in terms of "this is popular now, so I'll design this."

ItoIndeed. You possess a strength that allows you to build your own world at your own pace, unaffected by external opinions or public perception. Furthermore, you don't think in short-term spans like next year or the year after; you're committed to the long game. You have a certain purity of purpose in pursuing your ideal world, content if you can ultimately achieve it.



ItoYou don't seem to consider pandering to the public, conforming, or making money as part of your approach. In a good way, you have the strength to say, "I am who I am, this is my life, and I'll do what I want because I want to."

TeiWith "amadana," the design philosophy is that if ten people exist, it's enough if one of them strongly loves it. It's a business model that works because the home appliance market is large, of course.

ItoAlso, rather than doing things alone, you value time spent with like-minded companions.



TeiI studied art from a young age, but I quit for a while. In high school, I became interested in contemporary art and started studying painting again. But ultimately, I realized I didn't have the drive to create.

ItoThe drive to create?

TeiI felt that you couldn't call yourself an artist unless you were constantly working in isolation or had an overwhelming urge to create. I started to think that wasn't for me. Around that time, I happened to hear architecture being described as a comprehensive art form or a social phenomenon, and I thought, "Maybe I should give it a try," with a rather casual attitude. My art teacher then told me something like, "Don't go into the arts faculty lightly; if you're going into architecture, go for science." So, in my third year of high school, I switched to science. That led to hellish times at the駿台予備校 (Sundai Prep School) (laughs). None of it was useful, and in the end, I got into Musashino Art University. If I hadn't gotten in, I would have seriously become a chef (laughs).

ItoThat's incredibly broad!

TeiI used to say arrogant things like, "Exams are ultimately just stuck in the Renaissance." Or, "We're still a long way off until Duchamp."

ItoHow cool! (laughs) Your mind was completely in the art world then.

TeiDuring high school, yes. New Wave was at its peak.

A Healthy Rebelliousness That Burns Brighter Against Adversity, Hardship, and Obstacles

ItoBecause your inherent abilities are already at a high level, whether in science or the humanities, once you set your mind to something, you pursue it until you are satisfied. You have the power to achieve anything; your life force is truly strong.

TeiReally? I thought I was quite weakened (laughs).

ItoNo, no, I feel an incredible life force! Everyone faces adversity, hardship, and obstacles in life, but you have a healthy rebellious spirit that makes you burn even brighter in those moments. A spirit of "I will stand up no matter what, I won't be defeated by myself."

TeiHahaha! How do you know that?

ItoIt's the strength of someone who would say, "Even if my limbs were torn off, I decided I would go there, so I will go."

TeiExactly! I actually worked for an architect at a world-renowned atelier, and during that time, I didn't receive the salary I was supposed to. I was so angry that six months later, I set up my own office above my boss's. Then my boss told me, "There's absolutely no way that will succeed," which only fueled my determination even more.



ItoI'm sure you would have worked hard even in a large organization, but your aptitude is better suited for freelance work. You have the ability to build your own castle. Even if you had joined a company, you probably would have left around the age of 30.

TeiAh, yes. I probably would have quit.

ItoTherefore, your field is broadly considered freelance. You have many hobbies, a strong curiosity, and a tendency to try something once if you find it interesting. Music, for example, was something you wanted in your life from the beginning, and you actually have immense talent as a musician. Why did you stop?

TeiShuya OkinoI was DJing with you guys, but I couldn't accept what came after that, the whole process of making music. I thought DJing was "curation art."

ItoCuration art?

TeiI felt like I was presenting to the audience every week. In Okino's words, it was like "definitive judgment." DJs who were praised for their excellent selections six months ago can disappear if the audience's tastes shift slightly. It's a world with a very fast cycle. I've seen dozens of people like that. So, in a sense, I'm DJing in the business world. For me, it might be like applying the strengths of DJing to the world of design.

ItoSo, you naturally have a sense of planning based on conviction.

TeiThank you. It's even in the company name (laughs).

ItoYour ability to anticipate the future is truly rapid. I believe you are driven by an unconscious feeling that "this is bound to happen, so I must do this now."

TeiThat might be true.

ItoTherefore, your inclination is towards stability. While you have a rich spirit of challenge, it's always a challenge based on planning, not haphazard. You have a vision of how things will unfold and can then apply your original design. However, you won't compromise if you believe something is right, and while you might get frustrated with those who don't understand, you find joy and motivation in connecting with those who do and discussing it. It's as if you find fulfillment in the very act of communication through things and objects...



ItoSo, it really is a long game!




TEI Shuwa
As representative of "Intentionalies," an architecture and design firm that handles all aspects of design in daily life, including architecture, interiors, industrial products, and furniture, he also oversees product design and overall brand direction for the home appliance brand "amadana" developed by Real Fleet. His numerous representative works include Japan's first design hotel, "HOTEL CLASKA," Toshiba's kitchen appliance series "atehaca," and NTT Docomo's "amadana Keitai." Currently, projects are underway not only in Japan but also internationally in Bali, Taiwan, Hawaii, and South Korea.

ITO Reika
Representative Director, Divine Inc. / Spiritual Healer
After working in product planning, advertising, and corporate planning at companies in the apparel accessories manufacturing and wholesale, and retail industries, she began her career as a lightworker, offering destiny readings based on channeled and read information combined with multiple astrological techniques, as well as healing and hypnotherapy. She receives many corporate appraisal requests from executives of major companies and has conducted over 100,000 readings to date. In July 2009, she resumed individual sessions in Jiyugaoka and plans to launch full moon and new moon workshops. Her books include "Synchronicity" and "Destiny Improvement Techniques." www.divine-msg.com