Give the gift of a "summer that is uniquely you"—Starting August 3rd (Wednesday) at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building "Future Summer Gifts" is based on the concept of "Give My Story," and Isetan proposes "things and experiences with a story that you'll want to give." It's a new gift movement that aims to make the process of choosing a gift as an expression of gratitude that cannot be put into words enjoyable for both the giver and the receiver.

The theme for Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 's "Summer Gifts of the Future" is "Giving the Heart of a Man in Midsummer." What kind of gifts embody a man's unique sense of style, playfulness, and attention to detail? Our gift selector is none other than Katsuhiko Shimaji. At Isetan Men's Residence on the 8th floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , we will be introducing the Salon de Shimaji Spicy Highball Set in limited quantities.


The things you'll find at Salon de Shimaji are beautiful, unusual, and interesting.

Salon de Shimaji only carries items that I personally use. For example, this fan. Unlike ordinary fans, its outer ribs are made of aluminum, making it a modern version of the "iron fan" that samurai of old carried as a weapon. But the great thing about it is that it can be used in a stylish way.

The rings I wear, the stingray watch bands, and the stingray boutonnieres are all sold at Salon de Shimaji, so this place could also be called "Shimaji Select Shop." I had a double stingray strap made because buying a watch and using the band that comes with it is like buying a masterpiece and hanging it on the wall without framing it—it's something only uncivilized people do. That's why I had a beautiful, custom-made band.


Salon de Shimaji uses "beautiful, rare, and interesting" as its criteria for selecting items. It's the same concept I had when I was editor-in-chief of Weekly Playboy and we sold a million copies. —Nude photos of beautiful actresses, rare items from around the world, interesting feature articles—so editors and merchants are the same. I've been a "merchant selling culture" at Isetan Men's, and September will mark my fifth year.


Unless an object has "a story unique to the person who owns it," we won't develop any attachment to it.

Salon de Shimaji stocks items that only stylish people would appreciate, things that you wouldn't understand unless you've lived a life of extravagance. "If you find something beautiful, buy it without hesitation," and "If you're undecided, buy both."

The other day, a regular customer at the bar asked me, "My daughter was born a girl, what should I give her as a gift?" So I recommended one of Salon de Shimaji's original teddy bears. I explained that "In Europe and America, when a baby is born, people buy a teddy bear and place it by the bed. Then, when the baby turns one, it becomes the child's first friend," and he was very touched.

Salon de Shimaji Teddy Bear: ¥45,360

This teddy bear was specially made by Terumi Yoshikawa, a teddy bear artist living in Niigata Prefecture, and a gag was added to it, considering that it would be owned by a man. Prince Charles still sleeps with a teddy bear that his mother, Queen Elizabeth, bought for him, and he says he wants it to be placed in his coffin with him when he dies.

Salon de Shimaji necklaces: ¥70,200 each

The key to giving a gift is to give something that you yourself would want or cherish.

The silver coin I'm wearing now is an original coin made 2,320 years ago by Alexander the Great and given to soldiers who achieved military success. I also included it in my book "The Rise of a Complete Stranger," published by Kodansha, as Shimaji's version of "The Story of Alexander the Great."

It's a very valuable coin, but when I received it from a coin collector and made it into a necklace, everyone wanted one, so I had a certified engraver make some. I've also received many requests from women, so I'm selling a slightly smaller size at Salon de Shimaji.

When you give a gift, if it's something you want or something you cherish, that feeling will come across and the recipient will be touched. I receive ten times more gifts than I give (laughs).


I smoke five cigars a day and drink single malt whiskey.

Salon de Shimaji's bar is a power spot; if you go in and drink your favorite liquor, you'll be promoted and become incredibly lucky. I often say that "a bar is a study desk for life," and that's where you can hone the "luck, connections, and sense" necessary for life.

For this year's "Summer Gift of the Future," I've created a limited edition of 20 sets of the "Salon de Shimaji Spicy Highball Set," which includes a jazz CD I selected and a handwritten message.

Talisker 10 Year Old is a single malt whisky that tastes great even with water added (*Salon de Shimaji prohibits drinking it straight or on the rocks), but it is characterized by a subtle aroma of black pepper. This special set is mixed with Suntory Yamazaki Premium Soda and topped with an original pepper mill that allows you to easily grind pepper with one hand to make a highball. The key is to enjoy the aroma of black pepper without stirring. The black pepper is specially made by importing peat from Scotland and smoking it, making it a perfect highball to enjoy not only before a meal but also with a meal.


Furthermore, the CDs included in the set are remastered versions of Count Basie's music, supervised by his close friend, Shoji Sugawara, the owner of the jazz café "Basie." Which CD you get will be a surprise each time. Enjoy a spicy highball while listening to masterpieces from the Roulette era (1957-1962), arguably the peak of the king of big band jazz. Your life will surely become rosy.

Who would I want to give this spicy highball set to? I'd like to give one to all my friends. There's something special about enjoying drinks with good friends.


Salon de Shimaji Spicy Highball Set (Limited to 20 sets) 16,632 yen <br>Contents: Talisker 700ml (made in Scotland), soda 240ml (made in Japan), pepper mill, smoked black pepper 40g (made in India), rocks glasses x 2, coasters x 12, jazz CD
*Drinking alcohol is prohibited by law for those under 20 years of age.

Salon de Shimaji's signature "Spicy Highball," made with Talisker 10-year-old whisky mixed with Yamazaki Premium Soda and sprinkled with black pepper smoked using imported Islay peat, is incredibly popular. The spiciness when you taste it is a huge hit. The perfect music to listen to at that time is Count Basie jazz, selected by my close friend, Shoji Sugawara, the owner of the jazz café "Basie" in Ichinoseki! It brightens up your life.
-- Katsuhiko Shimaji

*All prices include tax.

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