There is a beautiful photograph of an orchid displayed in the salon.
This photograph is of Yoshiharu Fukuhara, a "book friend" whom Mr. Shimaji deeply respects, who is also the Honorary Chairman of Shiseido and the Director of the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum.

Today I'd like to share an anecdote about a photograph of orchids.


As I was having a pleasant conversation with a customer, as usual, they asked me, "That's a beautiful photo. Is it an orchid?"

Mr. Shimaji nodded,

"That's right. This photo was taken by Shiseido's Chairman Fukuhara."

The customer seemed impressed, saying, "So you're also a photographer!"

Then Mr. Shimaji smiled and, while looking at the photograph, explained to me.

"That's right. She also raises the beautiful orchids that are used as models. When she photographs them, she talks to them and takes pictures as if she were taking photos of her own beloved children. That's why the orchids look somewhat happy in the photos, don't they?"

The customer seemed convinced, saying, "Yes, that's right. There are also photos displayed on the wall outside the salon."




"Those photographs are for sale. Japanese people have a culture of buying paintings and antiques, but it seems that a culture of buying photographs hasn't really taken root yet. That's why I'm promoting that culture. 'If you see something beautiful, buy it without hesitation!' I think that kind of culture is necessary."


This week's quote
If you find something beautiful, buy it without hesitation.



I thought that I couldn't buy something without first developing my own sense of aesthetics...
Sometimes, it might be necessary to trust your own instincts.


This week's featured drink is the world's best-selling single malt: Glenfiddich.



Photography: Yoshio Uehara

Profile - Katsuhiko Shimaji


Producer of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . Born in 1941. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin University, he joined Shueisha. He was assigned to "Weekly Playboy" and became its editor-in-chief in 1983, where he created a sensation with the "Life Advice" column featuring Renzo Shibata, Toko Kon, and Ken Kaiko as respondents, growing the magazine into a million-copy publication. He later served as editor-in-chief of "PLAYBOY Japan" and "BART." After serving as representative director of Shueisha International, he retired in 2008. He is currently working as a writer and essayist.

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