Kinashi Cycle, a bicycle shop in Soshigaya-Okura founded in 1961 by Kinashi Sakuzo, the father of Noritake Kinashi of the comedy duo Tunnels, will open a limited-time pop-up shop at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st floor = Promotion area from January 20th to February 1st. The project has been in the works for about two years. To unravel the secrets of this unusual project, which started with "a certain trigger," WWD Japan interviewed Noritake Kinashi, the eldest son of Kinashi Cycle. We delve into his role as a creator.

[Interview] Noritake Kinashi | His stance remains unchanged in his work in entertainment, art, and Kinashi Cycle.

──What inspired you to create original merchandise for "Kinashi Cycle"?

As the eldest son of the Kinashi family, it was expected that I would eventually take over the family business, which was the norm in the Showa era. As it's a bicycle shop, we do things like repairing punctures and changing brake pads, but I started this because I wanted to do more than just that—I wanted to make something for customers as a souvenir.

──What is the background behind holding this event?

We had received offers to open stores from several companies on several occasions, but we had turned them all down. Isetan had made an offer about two years ago, but a year ago, someone in charge of selling Kinashi Cycle merchandise in Hawaii happened to arrange a dinner with someone in charge of men's clothing at Isetan. The topic of events came up, and I jokingly said I would like to do it if it was in the space on the first floor, and it turned out to be possible. This is the first time I've entrusted the layout and sales to professionals. I can't wait to see how it turns out and when it opens.

—There are limited-edition items for this event, but which brands did you collaborate with?

PORTER 's friend is an old drinking buddy, and the president of Override is someone I've known for a long time and we used to hang out at the same places. I was drawn into Chari & Co. when I went to New York, and they were selling Override hats there, so we decided to meet up in Japan with the president of Override and the others. It's all about personal connections. I often shop at Zucca's store, and when I asked them this time, they readily agreed. Fantasies and ideas are free and unrestricted, so how many of them come to fruition depends on the other party, but since they're all professionals, they can bring 100% of it to life. For example, in addition to pockets and buttons, we've widened the range of sizes and other factors because we expect a broad customer base. Isetan didn't approve of the hats and T-shirts using the "ISETAN" logo, but I really wanted to make them, so I tried six times and finally got the go-ahead. There might be some items with the logo in a small place on the side, but I don't think there are any other goods that use it this way.

—Isn't the 250 yen keychain the cheapest item sold at Isetan?

Our policy is not to put too much emphasis on it (laughs). I'm sure there are many different people involved in every brand, but basically our staff consists of just three people: me, Narumi (Yasuda), and the sales representative. Narumi basically advises us on almost everything, like what kind of product we want to make or what kind of form would be good. We don't change the fact that Noritake is the eldest son of a bicycle shop owner, and Narumi is his wife. We do it because it's fun, even though we hardly make any profit. I've always been very interested in all sorts of things, like apparel, designers, artists, and craftsmen, and I would look at my friends around me with admiration. But if I just copied them, it would end up being the same, so I would look for something else, something interesting to do, and if I continued with that stance, my work in entertainment, art, and this event would all be the same.

—So, it seems that Kinashi Cycle's collaborative bicycle will finally be released.

We will be selling a limited number of Panasonic bicycles with the Kinashi Cycle logo on the frame. When we first started making merchandise, we considered selling bicycles online, but when I consulted with our president, Sakuzo, he said that selling bicycles online was a no-go. He doesn't usually interfere with what's good or bad, but he was adamant about that. He said that if people all over Japan bought them, who would repair them? It would be disrespectful to the bicycle shops in each town. In short, he said that if someone lives near Soshigaya-Okura needs something done, he can come and help them himself, but it's not okay to just sell them and be done with it. So this time, we won't be selling the bicycles at Isetan, but at "Kinashi Cycle" in Soshigaya-Okura. We will have them on display at the venue, though.

--I imagine your customer base is quite broad, including inbound tourists and people who were previously unaware of Kinashi Cycle.

It feels like something I've been quietly working on is suddenly being put out into the world, so I wonder how people will react. It's the same feeling as when I hold an art exhibition at a museum. Will they think, "I see," or "That's cute"? Will something catch their attention and make them stop by the shop, or will they just pass it by? Unlike art, this is a product, so it's a feeling I've never experienced before.

--A message to our customers who are looking forward to it.

If you find something you like... No, there are plenty of good brands upstairs (lol).

Kinashi Cycle x ISETAN MEN'S
□January 20th (Wednesday) - February 1st (Monday)
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Promotion

inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 8th Floor = Isetan Men's Residence
03-3352-1111 (main representative)