--Your work conveys a sense of story and the flow of time. Where do you get your inspiration from when you create a piece?

I think it's simple. How do I combine the first instinct I feel when I see something that is beautiful? How do I combine beautiful things that I'm used to seeing, without being bound by genre? Combining elements from different genres is my specialty.

I think there are many things that are beautiful even without a reason. But aren't humans creatures that want to find some kind of explanation? "Why?" That leads to philosophy. I think it's okay to simply feel that "good things are simply good" without logic. No matter how complex the concept, I can't be moved by my creations unless the visuals are beautiful. I believe that when beauty is perfected, there is a line that transcends logic. So while the concept may come first when creating a piece, I strive to achieve beauty that surpasses that concept.

--That's why you don't compromise until you achieve the beauty you're aiming for.

I think doing things halfway is uncool. Even if you can see where you're aiming, stopping the process halfway through is the most nonsensical thing, isn't it?

However, I'm aware that I'm doing the exact opposite of fashion trends. Since clothing is fashion, some believe that a designer's purpose is to create something that's practical, in line with the times, and acceptable to people at any given time. However, I don't create work that way.

The current fashion cycle is too fast, and even if something good comes out, it quickly fades away. I find this trend very unfortunate. If simply categorizing something as a season causes it to fade away instantly, I want to do away with seasons. My stance is that I want to create things that will last beyond the seasons. One of my goals is to create shoes that will inspire people 100 or 200 years from now.

--Are there any benefits to living in Kyoto?

There are plenty. I also think the flow of time is completely different from Tokyo. Tokyo has a culture where new things are constantly being born and then disappear. So I'm sure there is fashion that can only be born in Tokyo. In my case, I have a sense of creating works that "transcend time," so in that sense, Kyoto is a city with a history that transcends time. There must be a reason why the techniques that remain in the city have survived, and I think it's wonderful that techniques have been passed down even in an age where things are overflowing. I feel like I'm borrowing techniques that have survived through the ages. I'm happy if the results of my creations are good, and I'd be happy if the people I borrowed the techniques from benefit in some way.

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