Past Articles

2018.8.31

A company working on Japanese premium 
Interview with Kiichiro Shigetoyama, Chairman and Representative Director of Sanmotoyama Co., Ltd.

Founded in Yurakucho in 1955. Since then, Sanmotoyama Co., Ltd. has introduced top brands from all over the world to Japan, such as Gucci, Hermès, and Etro. As a pioneer in the import fashion select shop, we have proposed many beautiful items and highly sensitive lifestyles. This time, we spoke to Kiichiro Shigetama, the company's second generation representative director and chairman.

 

A track record of conveying the world's premium products to Japan. And next...

Kiichiro Shigetama was born in 1959. About four years after Sanmotoyama was founded, the main store was moved from Yurakucho to the Sanshin Building in Hibiya, and a branch was opened on Miyuki Street in Ginza. In 4, the main store was moved again to Namiki-dori, Ginza. Gucci, Hermès, Loewe, Patique Philippe, Piaget and more are lined up, and on the opening day of the new location, many political and business figures, writers, and actresses are said to have visited the store.

 

Shortly before that, Mr. Shigetou entered the Lycée Franco Japonais de Tokyo at the behest of his father, Choichiro Shigetou.

"My father told me, ``In Japan in the 21st century, foreign languages ​​will be essential. Learn about foreign cultures at a young age.'' I was 8 years old at the time." After learning a few words of French during intensive training during summer vacation, she will be attending a lycée starting the new semester in September. Since then, he has been raised in a French-style education, including studying abroad in France at university and graduate school. “My two older sisters have also studied abroad.My father probably wanted to raise his children to be able to interact with foreigners on an equal footing without having to deal with the language barrier. I think there was also a simple desire to do so."

 

An environment where first-class products are around us from the time we are born. He has lived in France for a total of nearly 10 years, both studying abroad and working abroad. However, Mr. Shigeto says that there was not as much attachment to top European products as people might think.

 

(Top left photo) Furniture/CAJA Prima Series: “Original furniture for Japanese people” characterized by supple, artistic curves and stable seating comfort.
(Top right photo) Muffler/Himuro sen: Made by highly skilled craftsmen using only high-quality leather materials carefully selected from around the world. The modern design is recommended as a gift for both men and women.
(Bottom left photo) Lamp “SEN”/Lighting artist Toshiyuki Tani: A lamp using the technique of Suruga bamboo ware, a traditional craft from Shizuoka Prefecture.
(Bottom right of photo) Sanmotoyama Art Library: The concept is ``Enjoy your time while enjoying your personal life.'' A salon that introduces the beauty of quality and good art.

``It's true that good things were naturally around me.However, I don't want to be seen as being strangely ``pretentious,'' so I don't say much about them.Also, as my experiences have taken hold, my hobbies and preferences have become clear. As I grew older, I became more and more attracted to Asia, including Japan."

 

In 2001, with the start of the 21st century, Sanmotoyama began stocking Asian brands that first appeared in Japan.

 

Over the years, Sanmotoyama began actively disseminating good Japanese products that matched its unique aesthetic sense.

 

``My father also had a strong desire to introduce Japan's traditional craft culture to the world, following the handicrafts of Asia.When my father first applied to do business with Hermès, he said, ``Why do we do this?'' "Do we have to export? There's no need to do that because customers are coming to the store."It may seem cheeky, but I want to improve Sanmotoyama so that I can say the same thing."

 

“Harmonizing” different cultures, materials and techniques

Nowadays, individuals search and edit only the information they want. Mr. Shigetou describes this as a ``difficult time in which conventional common sense no longer applies.''

 

“We live in an era where the value of something is not only determined by the person who makes it, but also by the person who buys it, interpreting it in their own way and creating its own value.However, that is precisely why there are so many opportunities for good people and good things to come together. I feel that in the future, we will need producers, not designers.We will take advantage of our location in Ginza, where influencers have traditionally gathered, and our company's unique traditions to create products that combine different cultures, materials, and techniques. Our next goal for Sanmotoyama is to become a place where new value is created."

 

Last year in November 2017, with the completion of the Tokyo Ginza Asahi Building on Namiki Street in Ginza, we relocated and opened the new Sun Motoyama Ginza main store. From June 11, Kiichiro Shigetama was promoted from president to chairman and representative director, and Masatoshi Urabe became president and representative director, and operations began with a new team structure.

 

 

*The contents and information contained in this article are as of the time of publication.

 

Sanmotoyama has always been called a pioneer, a trailblazer, and a leading figure in the fashion industry. We are sure that you will continue to make exciting proposals to create new lifestyles.

<Profile>

Kiichiro Motoyama

Born in Tokyo in 1959. In 34, he graduated from the Lycée Franco Japonais de Tokyo. While attending school, he obtained the Baccalaureate (high school graduation national exam). After going to France and studying at EDC (Executive Training College), he joined Sun Motoyama International Co., Ltd. In 1979, he joined Sanmotoyama Co., Ltd. and became a director. In August 1985, he became the company's representative director and president. Since 2007, he has been the representative director and chairman.

Interview/Mio Shimamura (Premium Japan), text/Mime Kihara, photo/Takao Ota

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