Lounge
March 5, 2015
INTERVIEW | Jun Miura: "Katte ni Kankō Kyōkai" Solo Interview (Part 1)
Jun Miura Exclusive Solo Interview
On "Katte ni Kanko Kyokai," Travel, and Mr. Anzai (Part 1)
Jun Miura, the undisputed king of subculture who coined the term "my boom" and popularized numerous trends, and Hajime Anzai, an illustrator also known as a "soramimist" (one who hears words in sounds), are celebrating their 12th year as a unit with "Katte ni Kanko Kyokai" (The "Make-Believe Tourism Association"), where they "inspect" various prefectures of Japan. To commemorate the completion of posters for all prefectures by Mr. Anzai at the end of 2008, the "Jun Miura & Hajime Anzai's Katte ni Kanko Poster Exhibition," featuring these posters, is being held with free admission and is receiving rave reviews until Sunday, August 16th.
We asked Jun Miura what "Katte ni Kanko Kyokai" is all about and where they are headed.
Text by Chika TsushimaPhotos by Emiko Hara
To create a travel show without pathos, we needed the pathos-free Mr. Anzai
—What was the inspiration behind starting "Katte ni Kanko Kyokai"?
Initially, I wanted to meet "Kesennuma-chan" (an ordinary woman who appeared on "Kin-chan's Don to Yattemiyou!"), so I went to Miyagi Prefecture for a project in the magazine "Monthly ASCII (formerly ASCII)."
She had married a ryokan owner and was working there. Despite arriving without an appointment, I was surprised by the lavish reception, including a boat-shaped platter of sashimi. That's when I got hooked on the idea of visiting places without any prior arrangements (laughs).
My first visit to Miyagi
—What motivated you to team up with Mr. Anzai?
After serializing in "Monthly ASCII," "Modern Living (Hachette Fujingaho-sha)," and "non-no (Shueisha)," a CS broadcast began. For magazines, I used to write about 2,400 characters per article, but I could only write things like "I went here." The humor of "Katte ni Kanko Kyokai" is difficult to convey through text; it was better suited for video.
Also, I was interested in travel shows. Don't you think TV travel shows have a certain pathos? I found that interesting and intriguing. So, I wanted to create a travel show completely devoid of pathos, and for that, Mr. Anzai was the only choice (laughs).
Neither Mr. Anzai nor I have any pathos, and besides, neither of us has ever had a major breakthrough, so I thought we could make a travel show without any saudade.
—Was it decided from the beginning to create posters for each prefecture, local songs, and mascot characters?
I thought those three elements were essential for a tourism association, but there was also an element of chance.
The poster idea started when we saw the shape of an abalone in Kesennuma, where we first went, and thought it was so outrageous that we should make a poster called "Abi Binbin" (Abalone Thrills) (laughs). We decided to put even the most inappropriate things out there.
For the local songs, when I went on trips in high school, I used to write and record songs. I was reminded of this in Kesennuma when I saw a music store. I bought a guitalele there, and the editor from ASCII gave me a 10,000 yen budget, so I bought an ocarina for about 500 yen. I forced Mr. Anzai, who had never played it before, to play it.
—After 12 years, traveling around Japan from Kesennuma, do you feel a sense of accomplishment?
Every time a song was completed, I felt a sense of accomplishment. We'd travel for two days under the guise of inspection, and then write the lyrics and music on the second night, so there was considerable pressure. Well, I wasn't asked to do it from the start, you know, these local songs (laughs).
It's wonderful that we've become a married couple from The Beatles
—So, the first poster exhibition is being held now that you've completed all the prefectures?
The moment of completion was featured on "Tamori Club," so this exhibition is also about Mr. Anzai's posters (Editorial note: Mr. Anzai was originally scheduled to attend this interview but had to cancel at the last minute).
Since we're just traveling on our own accord, we can't charge money, so admission is free.
—Are there any limited-edition goods at the venue?
We had a medallion company create original "medallion medals," which we often make during our inspections. They cost 500 yen each. Also, we'll be selling T-shirts printed with posters from each prefecture on a made-to-order basis.
I think wearing a T-shirt of your home prefecture is a good thing. Everyone thinks they've left their "hometown love" behind when they move to Tokyo, but during high school baseball, they end up cheering for their local team. It's not lost, that hometown love.
—Of all the prefectures you visited, which was the most interesting?
Everywhere was interesting. There were times we returned after just one night because it wasn't interesting, but even that was interesting.
"Interesting" is a matter of belief, so if you brainwash yourself, you can manipulate it. The thought that something isn't interesting comes from a passive perspective. We're always encountering things, so there's never a dull moment.
—"Katte ni Kanko Kyokai" isn't overly produced, so it remains interesting no matter when it was filmed.
It shows our true selves. When you're eating something truly delicious, your face becomes serious and a bit scary, right? That's why we never look like we're enjoying the food too much.
Also, our bodies have gradually become "obasan-like" (like middle-aged women). On a boat to see the Naruto whirlpools, dozens of junior high school students asked me for autographs. For some reason, they mistook me for John Lennon, not a member, but for John Lennon himself (laughs). I couldn't escape on the boat, so I signed as John Lennon. Midway, a teacher leading the group stopped them, saying, "Mr. Lennon is busy, so that's enough." And I thought, "You too!"
On a later trip, while I was in an onsen with Mr. Anzai, an older man who came in after us said, "Are you two bathing together?" He mistook me for a middle-aged woman.
The other day, when we entered a souvenir shop, Mr. Anzai had cut his hair, and the shopkeeper asked us, "Are you a couple?" It seems that as time passes, people transcend gender.
—After 12 years, you've gone from The Beatles to a married couple (laughs).
Mr. Anzai is often told he "hears things wrong" (soramimi), and I wear sunglasses, so maybe people think I'm Tamori.
The humor of "Katte ni Kanko Kyokai" comes from two people who are already somewhat out of sync in Tokyo becoming even more bewildered in the countryside. But it's not just that; I also want to spread the word about "how funny Mr. Anzai is." I want everyone to see how funny my best friend is.
So, for me personally, this exhibition is also about showcasing the funny posters Mr. Anzai has created.
On "Katte ni Kanko Kyokai," Travel, and Mr. Anzai (Part 2)To be continued
Jun Miura & Hajime Anzai's Katte ni Kanko Poster Exhibition
Dates: Until Sunday, August 16, 2009
Hours: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue: LAPNET SHIP
Admission: Free
LAPNET SHIP
Tel. 03-5411-3330
http://www.lapnet.jp/
© 2009 Shiki Soku Zen Reishonzu
The Movie "Shiki Soku Zen Reishon"
Opening Saturday, August 15th at Cine Quarante-Cinq Shibuya, Shinjuku Wald 9, Kichijoji Baus Theater, and other theaters nationwide.
Original Work: Jun Miura "Shiki Soku Zen Reishon" (Kobunsha)
Director: Tomorowo Taguchi
Screenplay: Kosuke Mukai
Music: Otomo Yoshihide
Cast: Daichi Watanabe (Kuro Neko Chelsea), Kazunobu Mineta (Ginkgo BOYZ), Shigeru Kishida (Quruli), Lily Franky, Chiemi Hori, Asami Usuda, Anna Ishibashi, and others.
http://shikisoku.jp/
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