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February 13, 2026
Takashi Tokuo's Curated Collection Vol. 02: How Edited Knowledge in Books Creates Value
LOUNGE | GREAT CONNOISSEURS: Takashi Tokuo's Curated Collection
A "connoisseur" is someone with a discerning eye, an expert. Here, we feature Takashi Tokuo, a GREAT CONNOISSEUR known for his extensive collection spanning music, subculture, interiors, vehicles, fashion, and more. Each installment delves into one item from his vast collection.
Text by TOMIYAMA Eizaburo | Photographs by TAKAYANAGI Ken
Books: The Starting Point for Every Collection
From art to cars, vintage goods, and the latest trading cards, "premium prices" are a hot topic across all genres these days. Market prices, resales, auction bids... whenever figures like millions or billions of yen are thrown around, it's easy to fall into the simplistic thinking that "expensive means good" or "buy it now because it will be valuable later."
Tokuo, who has built an immense collection through his profound knowledge and unique aesthetic sensibility, unconcerned with public opinion, openly expresses his unease about this trend.
"Lately, it seems like more and more people are obsessively talking about art, art, art. But before discussing art, I think it's good to broaden one's own knowledge."
Owner of Daikanyama UNIT. Event producer. Previously handled art direction for major international brands. Has also designed CD jackets, corporate logos, and graphic design for events. Instagram:@tokuo_tower@ctoc_tokyo
It's natural for items to command high prices and attract attention when there are people who recognize their value. However, Tokuo warns against the tendency to focus solely on the premium price, to "think you understand" without knowing the background.
So, where did Tokuo gather information and knowledge to hone his aesthetic sense?
"If you ask me why I ended up with this (vast collection), it all started with books. Researchers in various fields create excellent books and teach me many things. Choosing fields that interest me from a multitude of books is an expression of my curiosity."
Let's delve into the books that have shaped Takashi Tokuo's curated collection, exploring his mind as we turn the pages from books to objects, to value, to culture.
A Book That Captures the Moment Contemporary Art Gained "Value"
Is it impressive because it's famous and valuable, or because millions were spent on it? Does one's personal taste exist within that? If so, how is that taste and aesthetic sensibility cultivated?
"Discerning collectors, after knowing everything, selectively gather only the best. Other collectors, however, buy everything from A to Z, top to bottom."
He states that books are the foundation supporting "knowledge."
"Behind every book, there are researchers, writers, photographers, and editors who compile and sell it. In a single volume, you can systematically appreciate good things. It is precisely because such wonderful resources exist that the value of an object is first established. And after reading it, you'd want to incorporate it into your own living space, wouldn't you?"
Value is not complete within the artwork itself. He pointed to a book that illustrates the moment new value was created.
In 1973, Parke-Bernet, later acquired by Sotheby's, held the world's first auction of contemporary art. "A SELECTION OF FIFTY WORKS from the collection of ROBERT C. SCULL" is the auction book from that event.
"The sale of contemporary art began here."
The consignor, Robert Scull, made his fortune running a taxi company in New York and collected contemporary art, which was not yet widely appreciated, directly from the artists. Andy Warhol was still emerging, and Scull amassed a large number of works from the dawn of contemporary art in the 50s and 60s, when most artists were still alive.
"The Sculls continuously bought works that no one else valued. Their act of systematically organizing and selling them was remarkable. The quality of the organization (editing) is evident even in this auction catalog, which features only fifty works for sale."
Robert Scull's collection captured the zeitgeist, and the sale was a great success. Works purchased for a few hundred dollars soared to tens of thousands.
On the other hand, protests by artists reportedly occurred.
"They were seen as what we now call resellers. No matter how high the price, the artist received nothing."
However, that event itself pushed the "ceiling of value" higher.
"Robert Scull told the protesting artists, 'Don't be angry. From today, your work is worth this much.' The artists understood the implication, and in the end, they even shook hands (laughs)."
This is where contemporary art began to acquire value.
"Ultimately, it's established by the presence of critics, sellers, and buyers. Even the Mona Lisa is understood as great because there are critics. It's not something for the uninformed to judge casually."
"Even for items I collect now, where there are only a few to a few dozen buyers and sellers, perhaps many people will recognize their value in the future. Of course, they might also end up as trash."
"At that time, if it didn't get a price, it was just trash. But because the price soared, Sotheby's also started holding more and more contemporary art sales. In that sense, this book is a very important record."
From Books to Objects: Two Books That Sparked an Interest in Jean Prouvé
Here, we discuss how books provide "guidance." First, let's consider architect and designer Jean Prouvé, whose works now command exceptionally high prices.
"I started buying his works around 1992-93, and it began with these two books."
The first book is "LE STYLE 50 ~UN MOMENT DE L'ART FRANCAIS~" by Patrick Favardin.
"It features furniture and interiors from French designers of the 50s. At the time, Eames was becoming popular in Japan, but I was already tired of it. I found the designs in this book beautiful."
The second book is the exhibition catalog for "Jean Prouvé × Serge Mouille," organized by the New York gallery Anthony DeLorenzo and held in New York and Paris.
"It paired Jean Prouvé's furniture with Serge Mouille's lighting. At a time when Art Deco was reaching its peak in terms of price and novelty, this exhibition created a new wave of French Modernism. The catalog itself was excellent in design and composition, and seeing it was a revelation that led me to start collecting."
The important point is that Prouvé's works were not initially considered luxury items. Quite the opposite, there was a time when they didn't command any price.
"Back then, Jean Prouvé's pieces were cheap. There weren't many customers, and people thought, 'Who would pay for something like a school chair?' (laughs)."
"Also, in the world of books, the catalogue raisonné (complete catalog of works) that covers all works by an artist or museum is extremely important. It's the pinnacle of research. By looking at all the works of a favorite artist, you can establish your own preferences and identify what you want."
Corporate Mascots Too: Books Open Doors to the Unknown
The dolls and mannequins lining Tokuo's room also share the same origin.
First, "What a Character! ~20th Century American Advertising Icons~."
"Looking at this book, I thought, 'Wow, this is great!' I knew Munsingwear, but I didn't realize they had such modern displays..."
Books also reveal the existence of previously unknown versions.
"In Japan, I read books like 'Kōkoku Kyarakutā Ningyōkan' (Advertising Character Doll Museum) and 'Hi-baizai Gurafiti' (Non-sale Graffiti), and learned about the various forms of mascots like Asahi Beer's Horoniga-kun and Cisco Corn Boy, and Tanabe Pharmaceutical's Hit-kun."
The moment you become aware of something, you start searching for it. This is both the pathology and the happiness of a collector.
"I knew there were different types of Peko-chan dolls, but I didn't realize there were such rare models."
Tokuo's fascination with delving deeper and his joy of learning lead to a continuous stream of interesting topics.
"In the 1960s, a company called Modern Plastics produced most of the soft vinyl mascot dolls for store displays for domestic companies, including Peko-chan. That's why most of these dolls have the initial 'MP' imprinted on them."
"The Sony Boy doll has a different face in its early and later versions. This was based on the popular manga 'Acchan' (by Fuyuhiko Okabe), and Sony later made a character usage agreement. "
"I knew about Toshiba's Kōsoku Esper, but I didn't know there were such large versions. Or that there were different types of Toravelmin Boy. There was a period when I really enjoyed going back and forth between books and objects. Since books don't show the actual size, I'd buy them anyway, and only when I held them in my hands would I be surprised by how big or small they were."
Books from that era also allow us to glimpse the "atmosphere of the times" behind the objects. Japan during its period of high economic growth, America in its prosperous 1950s. Tokuo is captivated by these eras because, as he says, "everyone shared the same dreams and hopes."
Books with Intricate Gimmicks Impossible to Recreate Today
Books are not just sources of information and knowledge; they can also be objects, gimmicks, and even toys.
"'Eroscope' might fall into an interesting category, but it's incredibly stylish. It features a single model divided into four sections, allowing you to endlessly change her outfit like a puzzle, eventually revealing nudity. The photo alignment is perfect, and it must have been incredibly difficult to design and bind it with such precision in an era without computers. Nowadays, the printing costs alone would be astronomical, and it would likely be rejected at the planning stage... meaning it probably couldn't be made today with a focus on profit."
"MALE-AGE GROUPS, CHARACTER EXPRESSION," a book of reference for facial expressions, hairstyles, and poses, is another peculiar yet endearing book.
"It's just endless pages of faces. There's no text at all. Yet, it's strangely captivating. And, they're all old men; no women appear. Even before I got this book, I was collecting male mannequins, but this book really solidified my appreciation for the charm of older men. " Of course, there are also series with only human poses or only female faces."
Books reinforce preferences, and preferences accelerate the collection...
Preserving the Atmosphere of the Times and the Spirit of Youth Culture
Tokuo remains under the spell of the youth culture that profoundly influenced him during his formative years.
"I'm quite old now, but I can't drink alcohol, so I just keep drinking cola, listening to records, and doing this endlessly. I don't know how to become an adult (laughs)."
A symbol of youth culture is Joseph Szabo's photo collection, "Almost Grown."
"This is a famous photo collection documenting American youth culture. It's known for the cover of Dinosaur Jr.'s album 'Green Mind.' Both the photography and the era are wonderful."
Ray Stevenson's self-published "Sex Pistols scrapbook" from 1977 is a representative work of the London punk scene.
"This wasn't an officially published book, so it was later recalled due to complaints. However, the content and design are excellent, and it now commands a high price."
In that era, music, fashion, and books were interconnected, fostering culture. It had a different charm than today, where everything is contained within YouTube and subscription music.
"Raymond Pettibon, a member of Black Flag, created the art collection 'VAVOOM' for an exhibition in 1992. For me, this embodies the West Coast vibe. When I feel the West Coast mood, I inevitably arrive at this atmosphere, regardless of current trends."
Books can also act as a switch for "mood." They are also devices for preserving one's youth, allowing you to keep the clothing, hairstyles, and atmosphere of that era in a referenceable form.
A Home Library: A Symbol of Cultured Affluence
During this interview, the word "editing" came up repeatedly from Tokuo.
"I feel the internet is not edited. Especially on social media like Instagram, there's something that doesn't get conveyed. It's arbitrary, but not intentional. After all, truly wealthy individuals don't feel the need to show their private lives. With the advancement of AI, fiction is accelerating, and in this data-driven society, I fear that opportunities to see and touch truly valuable things will continue to diminish. In that regard, print media is honest, and I believe it will continue to evolve, becoming more specialized and sophisticated."
Tokuo's home contains a vast number of books. However, they are not displayed merely for show.
"I keep all my books stored away. While each book is beautiful on its own, they can clash with each other if displayed all at once."
Despite being stored, his collection continues to grow daily.
"It's become a habit to buy books before bed, and I purchase several each day. In the internet age, it's become easier to buy books, like visiting a late-night bookstore. I browse the pages of my favorite bookstores and look through their lists. If something catches my eye, I read the description and search further to delve deeper."
He doesn't just collect them; he reads them after purchasing.
"I read through each one at least once. Books directly lead to my hobbies. People often ask me, 'What should I buy now?' My answer is always, 'Buy books!' (laughs). Books are my greatest treasure."
"Even if they're considered 'premium,' the prices in the book world are relatively modest. Books with high informational value will undoubtedly see their prices soar from here. Furthermore, homes with libraries will increasingly become symbols of cultured affluence."
"Just as watching YouTube can make one feel like they've attended a live concert, there's a growing sentiment that people who speak solely based on internet information are superficial. Books and records will serve as tangible evidence of one's intellect and education."
Finally, let's introduce a book selected with a perspective that is uniquely Tokuo's: the owner's manual for the Lamborghini Countach LP400.
"This is the original that came with the LP400 I bought years ago. It's difficult, so practical application is impossible, but it explains how to change a light bulb in Italian. It's a crucial car part, and owning the LP400 owner's manual makes me feel like a true owner. Considering its rarity, it might be more valuable than the actual car. With just this and the parts list, you can thoroughly understand the mechanics and structure of the LP400."
Understanding true value and then selecting with one's own aesthetic sense, investing one's own money – this is the image of a true collector.