There are many different types of collectors. Not only do they vary in what they collect and how much they spend, but the reasons they are captivated by them are also different. Just as you can't explain why you fall in love with someone, there may be no reason why you can't help but collect them. It's just that you're irresistibly drawn to them.

And those who are captivated by something often harbor sensitive emotions. We explored the innermost secrets of Mitsu Mangrove, known as an avid fan of BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE, through this interview.

--First of all, please tell us what inspired you to start collecting BAO BAO.

Mitsu: I've always loved geometric patterns, and looking at tiles calms me. When it comes to accessories and clothing, I'm not a fan of ethnic or psychedelic patterns; I prefer linear designs. That's why I think the Bao Bao was perfect. I happened to see them in a store at first, and the moment I saw them, I knew it was it.

--How many Bao Baos do you own now?

Mitsu: If you include pouches and other things, I have over 100. I usually only use one, and the rest are all on display in my room. It may seem contradictory, but I actually don't like to have too many things in my room. That's why there's nothing taking up space in my room other than the Bao Bao.

--Some of the Bao Baos you brought with you (for the photo shoot) are the same shape but in different colors. Do you want to collect them all as a collector?

Mitsu: If I like something, I won't be satisfied until I have them all. I know I have a bit of an obsession, but I can't stand the thought of them becoming someone else's. Also, I don't know what my own preferences are. Even if I think something is nice, I'm not confident that it's really nice. So, for example, if there are three colors, I often buy all three. But there are also some Bao Baos who only have one color, so I give them "power" so they don't clutter the room.

What I mean is, maybe because I tended to stand out like the "ugly duckling" when I was a student, I tend to be obsessed with the idea of group activities. In the past, I've had a strong desire to blend in, but I couldn't.

So by making the Bao Bao items that only have one color seem "superior," I prevent them from being bullied or left out. I create a hierarchy among the Bao Baos. In fact, I sometimes tell my bags, "You're superior (the only bag I own)." However, some children still can't blend in and stand out, so they end up being put up for adoption or given separate rooms to display in.

--What do you do when you have to choose one color from several?

It may sound strange, but when I can't decide, I call my mother and buy the one she says is good. I don't trust my own sense at all, so I get anxious unless someone else tells me something is good. It's only when someone gives me a push that I finally think it's good.

--In your book, "An Enviable Life," you reflect on how your mother, who had great taste, would choose your clothes for you from a young age.

Because my mother had such a big influence on me, I grew up with a somewhat unclear sense of my own sensibilities and antennae. That's why when I buy things or choose outfits, my mother's face always comes to mind. I think, "I wonder if my mother would like this," or "I wonder if she'll dislike this." It's really annoying, but it's the only guide I have. Even people I've known for a long time tell me, "You dress just like your mother did when she was young," but for me, it's unconscious. It's like being brainwashed; I don't realize it myself.

--What do you do when you're shopping for something other than clothes?

I'm really not good at shopping. For example, even if I go to Isetan and want to buy a bottle of wine, I always ask the familiar sales clerk, "I'll have the usual one." Even with makeup, as long as I can create this look, I'm happy, so I have no interest in trying out different products, and I think just looking at them is a waste of time. They're all tools to become "Mits Mangrove," so as long as I can "replenish" my supplies, that's fine.

--Given that way of thinking, why were you drawn to Bao Bao?

Apparently, I really love bags. I say "typical" because people around me pointed it out to me, but I often found myself stopping in the bag section. So, I wondered why that was, and after analyzing it myself, I realized it was because "bags never let me down."

I've always been big, and even in junior high school I was already like this, so even when I finally found men's shoes, they often didn't have my size. This was especially true since I started cross-dressing, since all my shoes and clothes are women's.

In fact, I think I may have had a desire in the past to explore items that would allow me to incorporate my own sense and style. I shut the shutter to that desire early on, so my sense never developed from there. That's why my only model was my mother, and I've always loved the '80s, so I haven't evolved. Maybe that's why I sought salvation in bags.

■Profile
Cross-dresser Mitsuru Mangrove
A boy who longed to be "normal" but couldn't become "normal"
Since childhood, he has been involved in the gay boom and the entertainment industry.
At the turning point of 40, his first autobiography, "An Enviable Life," is now on sale.