We have known each other for quite a while, but I don't think we've ever discussed your upbringing. Did you both always want to work in fashion since your student days?

Yes, that’s right. I started by studying tailoring at a men’s fashion school. In my twenties, I was doing everything I could to bring my ideas to life. I was completely immersed in it.

I’ve always been interested in making clothes, too. I was born in Kiryu, Gumma, which is known for weaving. My family ran a sewing factory, and my grandmother was a weaver, but because my family knew the industry was tough, they were reluctant to let me follow the same path. I wasn’t allowed to attend a fashion school. During high school, I worked part-time at a clothing store. I kept it a secret from my parents.

Blood is thicker than water. What kind of clothes or fashion did you like back then?

Since elementary school, I have never worn skirts and always dressed in a masculine style. In the 80s, when I was in high school, DC brands (Designer’s & Character’s brands) were popular, but I only wore second-hand clothes and American casual from head to toe. That’s why HYKE is inspired by second-hand workwear and military wear. I have always loved second-hand clothes. The first thing we did together was also open a second-hand clothing store.

Yeah, that shop was in Daikanyama back in 1997. We had great experiences buying in the US, from places like Portland, as well as in France, but it was tough. In order to continue, we decided to make our own products and that’s how “green,” the predecessor to HYKE, was born.

So it all started as an original line from a vintage shop. I had no idea.

I thought I couldn’t do design work unless I went to fashion school, but it started in an unexpected place. (laughs) We didn’t have a model to follow, so I just created it with my own sense and perspective. That’s how I got to where I am now. I want to show the children from my own experiences that “there are more important things than what you learn at school.”

Working in society, like part-time jobs, is one of them. The experiences of earning money teaches you something you can’t learn from studying at a desk. You gain knowledge on how the company makes its money, what part of the company you work for, how that system works and how that system works to get you your salary and so on. You get a firsthand understanding of the structure and system of the entire society in which you live.

That’s something school never teaches you. Part-time jobs also let you form diverse relationships, which is another great thing. It was the same for me. I expanded my worldview by talking to and learning from adults other than my parents. My part-time seniors were like teachers.

Friendships formed during school days can become lifelong treasures, so school encounters are valuable, but school is a product of chance, a place where people are randomly gathered. In that sense, part-time jobs involve people you meet by your own initiative and making the connections. That’s a big difference. Plus, people of the same generation or seniors, a little older, have valuable skills, so you can genuinely interact with them with respect and trust.

When you are out in society, it’s not always a good time. You sometimes have to interact with unpleasant people, but that’s just how society is. Thinking about how to deal with them is also a great way to learn. So it’s okay not to be surrounded by only good adults. I think seeing human nature and experiencing unreasonable things will help a person prepare for society.

I feel the same. But these days, society tends to only show the polished parts. It’s not fair to compare, but when we were young, we had to learn how to navigate coexistence with all sorts of people. You could call it being “street smart,” and those skills helped us survive. A teacher of our children once said, “It’s okay for kids to fall off a tree. They just need to experience the hurt, to learn to grab stronger branches that won’t break.” I really think that’s true. But nowadays, there is a strong feeling that “Don’t climb because it would be a problem if you get hurt.”

We want our children to learn the ability to think for themselves and keep moving forward while experiencing failure and regret. But parents are strange creatures and even though I know I should not set the stage for them, I still help them get ready for the next day. Even though I know the importance of play and that play can lead to new opportunities and encounters that can lead to future careers, I still get angry and tell them to “study every day!” (laughs) I often wonder to myself, "What am I thinking?" and I struggle every day. As a result, I take my doubts out on my children. (laughs)

That dilemma is an eternal theme for parents, don't you think? (laughs)
Currently, what do your two children say they want to be in the future?

Our eldest son, a high school student, seems interested in video editing. He is in a club that makes short movies for school events. I try not to say anything as much as possible, but because it is within our understanding, sometimes we end up criticizing him… However, I thought that kids who are good at soccer are often taught by their fathers, who are also good at soccer. In that sense, I believe teaching them adult values and letting them reach out a little will also lead to their growth.

Our younger son, influenced by his older brother, used to say he wanted to be a YouTuber in elementary school. He even plays pretend YouTuber with Tetsu’s kid.

Aren’t they interested in the fashion world?

Not really, at least not right now. When they were in elementary school, we sometimes had to bring them to shows because we’d be out late, but they usually just played games backstage. They came to our most recent show too, but our high schooler seemed more interested in the stage design, lighting and cameras. Our younger son, a junior high school student, was so engrossed in chatting with his friends and didn’t pay much attention. (laughs)

Even if it’s not clothing, I hope it will inspire them in some way. However, I think work in the future will become more and more difficult. Unlike in the past, various tools and AI have evolved, the hurdles for many things have been lowered and more jobs are being taken over by AI. When I think about the fact that even bigger changes await in the world when our children become adults, I think we need to seriously consider what only human hearts and hands are capable of doing. Considering the time we have left to spend together, there is a limit to what parents can teach.

We live in turbulent times. But no matter how the world changes, do you think there are any values at work that will remain the same?

I think it’s best not to lie to yourself or others. You will lose the trust of those around you and it can lead to the destruction of relationships. It may be beneficial for you temporarily, but over time, it will have fatal consequences.

For instance, in this job, I often come across products whose quality is difficult to judge. From one perspective, it can be seen as a taste or intention, but from another perspective, it can appear to be a product that needs repair.

Even if you can get away with it at that time, if people think “that person was like this at that time, that company was like this,” any job will dwindle. I have had many experiences where I was able to build trust by responding sincerely when a mistake occurred. I hope that my children will have various experiences in the future and develop the ability to face things sincerely and see the essence of things.