New Series: "Dōgyō Ippin" | Toshihiro Maruwaka and Guests Share "Travel Monogatari"

First Travel Companion | Yohei Sadojima (President & CEO, Cork Inc.)

Preparing for a Journey to Read Books (Part 1)

Toshihiro Maruwaka, representative of Maruwakaya, produces products that fuse and project traditional craftsmanship with the latest technological capabilities. A new series begins where he hosts guests who bring along items they would take on a journey, and they discuss travel. Supporting this series is ThreeBond, a manufacturer of industrial sealants and adhesives, who believes that "travel has the power to connect people. This can be the bond between travel companions, or the bond between travelers and local residents."—For this inaugural installment, we welcome Yohei Sadojima, a creator agent known for producing "Space Brothers" and "Dragon Zakura."

Photographs by JAMANDFIXText by KASE Tomoshige (OPENERS)

New Series: "Dōgyō Ippin" | Toshihiro Maruwaka and Guests Share "Travel Monogatari"

First Travel Companion | Yohei Sadojima (President & CEO, Cork Inc.)

Preparing for a Journey to Read Books (Part 2)

Photographs by JAMANDFIXText by KASE Tomoshige (OPENERS)

Reading at a Specific Age and Place

The advent of Kindle, allowing you to read instantly when you want to, must have been a huge development for you, Sadojima-san. You don't have to carry 30 books anymore.

It's lighter. However, many books aren't available on Kindle. Nowadays, when I go abroad, I'm too busy with work to read many books, so I don't need that many. My dream is to always be thinking about when and where I'll read a particular book, like Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov." I often think about when I'll read it at what age... that's quite enjoyable.

That's fascinating. I think very few people love books to that extent, or love them in that way.

What I brought today is my Kindle and this book, "Fleeting Light." This is my absolute favorite book. I always take it with me when I travel privately now.

Oh! You've read it many times, of course.

I've read it many times. I fold the top of the pages, and I fold the bottom too.

What's the difference between folding the top and the bottom?

It depends on when I read it. When I find something I like, I fold it. I might fold the top, the bottom, or both. Sometimes I fold it twice. It's like teaching my past self, who read it before, what I liked then. So, when I reread a page, I might read the same page three or four times because I remember thinking, 'This part was good back then.' I love it that much. It's set on Zakynthos island in Greece.

Maruwaka　

Have you been there?

Sadojima　

I want to go, but it's very far and expensive... it's difficult, so I haven't been yet.

Maruwaka　

When did you encounter this book?

Sadojima　

It was in my third year of university. I bought over 10 copies and gave them away to people. For a while, it was out of print, and there wasn't a single used copy available. It seems to have been reprinted in the last two years. So, I can give it away again if I want to.

About how far into the book did you realize, 'This is amazing!'?

Probably around page 100. I was on the train on my way to class. I started reading in the morning, maybe on the second or third day? The book is quite difficult to read. I didn't really understand what it was trying to say. The language was difficult. It mentions many plant names. Names of plants I'd never heard of kept appearing. It was quite challenging, and around page 100, I ended up missing my train stop.

Did it suddenly click for you?

I was so immersed in the story that when I realized it, I had already gone quite far past my stop. Then I thought, 'I'm reading such a wonderful book, I shouldn't go to school today. I can't stop reading this book halfway through.' So, I went home that day and read it all the way to the end.

Is that what happens when you get absorbed in a book? (laughs)

That was the only time I've ever done that, with "Fleeting Light." I'm not someone who skips classes, generally. This was the first and only time a book was the reason for skipping class. I've reread it many times since then.

Isn't that similar to music? Like a song you love so much, one that changed your life, that you can't part with?

Yes. That's why I always match my music to my reading. Like, 'I'll listen to this music while reading this book.' When I was a student, I used to carry around 30-40 CDs in their cases and listen to music while reading. But it was so inconvenient, and I got tired of it, so I stopped listening while traveling and stopped bringing them. Nowadays, you can listen to music on your iPhone, right? It's nice to read a book while listening to music. I also love finding the perfect music for a particular book. It makes me happy when I find something that fits perfectly.

Besides books, your only other attachment seems to be food. Your suitcase must be interesting. It's definitely not the suitcase of an ordinary traveler.

It's rather plain. But now, my wife handles the preparation of my daily necessities.

I see. We should have brought your wife today to talk about travel essentials (laughs).

Unconcerned with Travel or Daily Life

Besides books, is there anything else you've thought, 'This is it!' about?

Before I got involved with Cork, the company I'm running now, I was obsessed with golf. I played quite seriously. My goal was to shoot 75 per round. It was difficult to achieve, so I was always frustrated when playing golf.

So you're completely the type to have obsessions.

During that period, I would only travel to places where I could play golf. On trips to Hokkaido, my wife would stay at the hotel while I played golf. I'd wake up at 5 AM for an early morning round. I'd play alone, return to the hotel by 8 AM, and then have breakfast with my wife.

Do you think you have fewer things that you consider 'This is it!' compared to others?

I think so. I rarely feel that way.

Indeed, you don't seem to be particular about things in your daily life either.

Yes, conversely, if I were to become particular, I'd be too demanding. Since there are so few things I find acceptable, I've ended up accepting everything.

Sadojima folds pages he likes

The "Kindle" (left) and the novel "Fleeting Light"

Please tell us about your third companion.

My Kindle, a book, and this backpack.

I also use a backpack. It's reassuring to have an umbrella in the side pocket, isn't it?

I like walking, so a backpack is ideal.

So, those are the three items. You tend to be concise, Sadojima-san (laughs). But it's very much like you. It seems like these are the only things left after stripping everything else away.

No, I really don't have many things I want to bring on trips. I often bring a toothbrush, but if I forget it, a toothbrush sold at the airport is fine. I don't seem to be particular about things. I bring an umbrella, but I'm not particular about it either.

I remember you mentioning clothing earlier. You said it's generally fine to wear anything, as long as it doesn't make the other person uncomfortable. I feel the same way. For example, even if it's formal attire, wearing a traditional Japanese formal kimono might be inappropriate in some situations. But shorts might be fine if the person gives off a good vibe. Is that how you think about clothing when traveling abroad as well?

Yes. Nowadays, I want to represent Cork, the company I run. For example, when I meet people in China, I dress quite formally. I don't wear a suit, but I do wear a shirt. I used to not even bring shirts, but now I consider it. Depending on who I'm meeting, I also wear a jacket.

So, for you, clothing is also a tool.

His favorite Tumi backpack

Yes. However, if I were to seriously search for clothes, I would buy something I really like. I understand the feeling of Steve Jobs having many pairs of the same glasses. But I don't really have many clothing designs I like, and even if I did, I wouldn't buy multiples of the same item. So, I don't do that.

I actually aspire to that myself eventually. Wearing the same thing all the time, or always buying the same pen – that's a mutual love, isn't it? Since I generally like objects, I do search for them, but I haven't reached that level yet, so I tend to stray. I think, 'Isn't this one better?'

I'm pursuing that too. I'm not desperately searching, but even with pants, I think, 'I want something really good,' but I can't find it, so I end up thinking, 'Uniqlo will do.'

Ultimately, I think that's what it comes down to. In my work, the reason I became interested in items made with traditional techniques is because the depth of what they possess is different. They aren't things you stumble upon. Even when meeting artisans, there are people who try to judge them based on their overall presentation, like they would with books, without reading the author's work. But sometimes, even if something looks beautiful, the spout might be completely useless. That happens often.

For example, with golf, I'd play intensely and think, 'I want to get better,' but I'd constantly question myself, 'What do I want to achieve by getting better?' I wasn't going to become a pro (laughs), so what's the fun in practicing hard and always winning company tournaments? Golf itself is fun, but I didn't find much enjoyment in continuing it for so long. With Cork, the more I get into it, the more I can immerse myself. That's a good thing.

I believe the keyword "books" will remain relevant. But to reiterate, why books?

Just today, I was writing a blog post and thinking about what kind of person I am. Around fourth or fifth grade, I started thinking, 'Why do humans live? Why was I born?' I didn't think anyone around me knew the answer, and I didn't think my parents could answer it. But I thought the answer must be in books. So, I started reading. I read many books, searching for those occasional gems. That's how it is.

That story deeply relates to the core theme of this series, doesn't it?

It perfectly aligns with the theme of travel.

Did you know that when you brought this book?

I didn't know (laughs).

You didn't know (laughs). But I believe that when you choose something unconsciously, that's when you're truly choosing. For example, if someone asks me to pick a teacup, I think about many things. 'Will this sell if I offer it? If it sells, should I offer this artisan's work over that one's?' Once I start thinking like that, it's over. But the fact that you choose things unconsciously is what makes them good. That's why I chose the theme of travel for this series. Travel is something you can't really plan intentionally.

I can't really travel alone these days, mainly because I have a family. When I used to travel alone, I'd bring postcards. I'd write and send one postcard every day.

To whom?

To my girlfriend, for example. I really enjoyed that. Writing about what happened that day. When traveling alone, you don't talk to anyone. Back then, we didn't have mobile phones, so I couldn't email either.

But fundamentally, you are a romantic and charming person, which I believe is a prerequisite for this series. The desire to convey your feelings to others, and your purity, are attractive qualities. I think these qualities emerge especially during travel. Mr. Tsuchida, who was the first guest to cooperate with this series, also mentioned going to distant islands just to eat. Like with classic cars, one might think, 'Couldn't this be avoided?' Postcards are similar, aren't they? They are excessive, in a way. But because you're not doing it out of calculation, it gains meaning. I believe that's the case.

That's right. I don't have time to write postcards now (laughs).

You sleep in just a T-shirt and a towel (laughs). Today, I'm glad we chose travel as the theme, as I've heard such insightful stories. Thank you very much.

ThreeBond
http://www.threebond.co.jp/