Past Life: A Traveling Performer Who Roamed the World

SatoThank you for having me. I have a rather abrupt question: what led you to pursue this line of work?

ItoIt's due to my constitution, I suppose. I've been able to perceive various things since childhood.



ItoYes. Your past life, Mr. Sato, was as a traveling performer who moved around the world. It seems you didn't stay in one place but performed in various locations.

SatoIndeed, I travel a lot even now. I'm constantly on the move throughout the year (laughs). As a performer, did you stand on stage?

ItoIt seems you did perform, but more than that, you were involved in directing the overall production. Perhaps in a role like a director or producer... Rather than acting, your main role was creating the world and its atmosphere. Since your past life involved a lot of movement, perhaps in this life you desire a stable foundation.



SatoMy phone contacts list has only about 20 entries. That includes my barber, dentist... and relatives. When I'm interviewed and asked, 'What do creators do on their days off?', I honestly don't do anything.

ItoYou wish to do ordinary things.

SatoSo that's how it is.

ItoYou are seeking emotional stability. In your past life, you were part of a theater troupe, and although they were like family, you seemed to question where your true place was.

"nendo" Formed Following Milan Salone

SatoAs I mentioned, I travel a lot, but I don't feel any particular joy when I go abroad. I don't do any sightseeing either.

ItoYou've seen enough of it in your past lives.

SatoHowever, the majority of my work is overseas. I'd like to increase my work in Japan, but... The company's starting point was a piece presented at "Milan Salone" in the spring of 2003, which is why I have so many international clients. It was somewhat coincidental that "Milan Salone" was the starting point. I went to Milan on a graduation trip, and I found "Milan Salone" there incredibly enjoyable. Until then, I had a rather rigid image of architecture. I felt it was restrictive. It was then, during my trip to Italy, seeing Salone where press, designers, and manufacturers from around the world gather, conducting a year's worth of interviews while also involving the general public, that I thought, 'I'd love to work in a place like this.' That's when I formed the organization called "nendo." It still forms the basis of what we do. Even my management team has been with me since that time.



ItoBecause I have a strong intellectual curiosity. If something sounds interesting, I want to explore it. It's like a child's pure curiosity.

SatoThat's exactly right. When someone recommends something, I think, 'Oh! Is it that interesting?' I guess I'm quite simple. However, when it comes to actually taking action, I'm timid.

ItoI know (laughs).

SatoOh? Do you mean I don't even need to explain? (laughs)

ItoYou're also uncomfortable with sharp objects and blood, aren't you? That's why your designs naturally tend to have rounded forms.

SatoAh, I see! Indeed! So that's why.



ItoBut it's not that you're simply interested in everything and do everything. Rather, when something captures your interest, you pursue it with stoicism. The energy you exert then is very much that of a craftsman, tenacious and unwavering. Despite your broad curiosity, you become very calculating and cautious when starting something. It's logical, like solving a shogi puzzle.

SatoThat's true. I always have a sense of what the 'correct' answer is for myself, even if it's just a vague idea. If it's a matter of black or white, I have a leaning towards one side. However, when a client says, 'I want to do it this way,' or a technician says, 'It's impossible,' I can genuinely think, 'Maybe that's an option too.' Designers are often perceived as strong-willed and stubborn, aren't they? I don't have that at all.

ItoYou have a wide range of flexibility, but there's a clear line at your core.



Sato OKI
Born in Canada in 1977. Graduated summa cum laude from the Department of Architecture, School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University in 2000, and completed his graduate studies there in '02.
After completing his graduate studies, he established Design Office nendo. He engages in a wide range of design work, from architecture to interiors, furniture, products, and graphics. In his latest work, "24 ISSEY MIYAKE," he handled the total design of the brand, from graphics like the logo to the interior.
He has also been a part-time lecturer at Kuwasawa Design School since this year. http://www.nendo.jp/

ITO Reika
Representative Director, Divine Inc. / Spiritual Healer. After working in product planning, advertising, and corporate planning at companies in the apparel and accessories manufacturing and wholesale, and retail sectors, she began her career as a lightworker, offering a unique style of destiny appraisal that combines channeling and readings with multiple astrological systems, as well as healing and hypnotherapy. She receives many corporate appraisal requests from prominent business leaders and has conducted over 100,000 appraisals to date. In July 2009, she resumed individual sessions in Jiyugaoka and plans to start full moon and new moon workshops. Her books include "Synchronicity" and "Destiny Improvement Techniques." www.divine-msg.com