The Keibunsha Ichijoji store in Kyoto explored the role of books in lifestyles and pioneered a new world of bookstores as a select book shop. Its renowned manager, Atsushi Horibe, went independent and opened a new bookstore as its owner last November. We visited Seikosha, where the fresh scent of wood still lingers, and spoke to him about the future of local bookstores.

■ A quiet and deep forest of books, lined with books collected like luxury items

Horibe opened Seikosha in a quiet residential area near Jingu-Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Line. Lined with Kyoto-style townhouses and dotted with cozy cafes and restaurants, this charming neighborhood is known only to those in the know. Close to the Imperial Palace and the Kamo River, it's a great place to stop by while on a stroll. The store, converted from an old townhouse, resembles a Kyoto eel's sleeping quarters, and the scent of wood permeates the long, narrow space. Bookshelves line the left and right walls, reaching almost to the ceiling, creating a forest of books that Horibe has carved out in the small space. Inside the store, Horibe describes new releases, foreign books, and magazines as "books I've collected like luxury items." "We can live without books, so I carefully select them and want to propose a life filled with books like that. My basic stance is the same as when I was at Keibunsha. Unlike large bookstores where you search through an index and then buy the book you want, I offer a wide variety of books based on a theme. For example, with a food theme, I offer not only cookbooks but also photo books, illustration books, and comics, and more. I offer books with the hope of embodying a world of books that expands from a single theme. This isn't a bookstore where you just ask, 'Do you have this?' but rather a store that says, 'Here are some books I've selected for you.' I want you to enjoy the encounters, discoveries, and adventures that lie within." The back of the store is a gallery space where special exhibitions are held. In the future, he plans to use this space for talk events and other events. There's also a small counter in front of the register, where you can enjoy beer and other drinks inside the store, a collaboration between Kamogawa Cafe and Rokuyosha. Long stays are welcome. This is a new type of local bookstore that's irresistible for book lovers, and even those who aren't interested in books will surely be captivated by its charm. "Since opening Seikosha, I've had more time to talk with customers," says Horibe.

Walking through the deep forest of books, occasionally chatting with the owner, and discovering books that will enrich your life. This is the kind of joy you can expect.


■Aiming to revolutionize the book distribution system and become a bookstore that will be a beacon to the town

Seikosha is also aiming to take on a new challenge in the book distribution system.
Japan's book distribution system involves a system called a distributor. Similar to a book wholesaler, the distributor system allows bookstores to handle orders on a single copy and allows for consignment sales and resale, with returns also possible. While this system is well-designed, it also creates an environment that discourages the birth of new bookstores, such as a standardized product lineup and high barriers to entry for new bookstores when signing contracts with distributors. There are also challenges, such as the fact that distributors intervene, reducing sales profits for bookstores. Horibe intends to use Seikosha as a way to escape this structural recession. "I think of Seikosha as a modest experiment, started to propose a new way of being a bookstore. People sometimes say that if you stock books as a luxury item like mine, you'll only appeal to a minority. But even a minority represents a certain number of people nationwide. With the advancement of information technology, we can reach such people nationwide, so I think even a small bookstore can be profitable." With a minimal footprint, the owner selects books, manages the counter, and communicates with clients. It can be challenging, but that's precisely why, Horibe says with a smile, "I can freely choose the books I want and suggest books that people really want to read right now."

Rooted in the local area, they create as many points of contact with customers as possible, and the owner himself changes as he learns. Books, too, are not static, and the product lineup will likely change freely from moment to moment. Talking with Horibe, one gets the real sense that a bookstore is a living thing.

"While the store has long been a beloved local bookstore, its management style and steering will surely be different from the past. I want to be a presence that shakes up the flow of books. Books are gifts, and bookstores are the light of the town (laughs). If more bookstores like this appeared in town, I think the world of books would become more interesting and vibrant," Horibe says quietly, and I once again sense the passion he put into the store's name.

Interview Cooperation:
Seikosha
TEL: 075-708-8340