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Salon de Shimaji | Katsuhiko Shimaji's Quote of the Week

Katsuhiko Shimaji is a man of many talents: editor, bartender, and writer.

On this day, Shimaji was at "Fumois," the cigar lounge at Aman Tokyo in Otemachi. The Tokyo Skytree was directly in front of him, and the night view of business buildings stretched out below. On January 17th (Tuesday), Salon de Shimaji was venturing out of the Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building to hold a one-night-only annex here. On a crisp winter night, Shimaji would treat his guests to the finest single malt whisky and cigars in this sophisticated social setting. Shimaji settled deeply into the sofa and slowly roasted a thick, cut cigar with a cedar stick.

Katsuhiko Shimaji is a man of many talents: editor, writer, and bartender at Salon de Shimaji.

Shimaji says:

"A Davidoff cigar, single malt whiskey. A perfect night, a blissful time."

Davidoff excels in quality control. Above all, the draw is excellent, comparable to the finest Cuban cigars. For single malt, it's Talisker.
When I was young, Mr. Renzaburo Shibata taught me that cigars are the ultimate hobby for a grown man. Mr. Takeshi Kaiko taught me about single malt whiskey.

They're the cool adults I've always admired, the ones who truly enjoy life. At the bar, I'm trying to teach them about being like those cool adults.


It's best enjoyed as a spicy highball. It uses a special pepper that's been smoked with peat. Shaking it is also a good option; it's a classic way to drink it in Scotland.

Drinking it straight or on the rocks is forbidden. Mr. Kaiko always drank it straight, though. He scolded me for drinking it with water, calling me a wimp! But he passed away at the age of 57. You really shouldn't drink whiskey straight. Drinking it straight is only cool in Westerns.

John Wayne will probably drink it at the counter. The brewery owner was laughing, saying it was crazy.


In London, when you go out to a gentleman's club, you change clothes to avoid smelling of cigars. You put on your smoking jacket that you've left there, and a cap. Then you change back into a suit and go home, because no hero exists before his wife.

Salon de Shimaji offers bespoke tailoring services for Ginza Ichibankan. I'll bring my items here as well, since I'm using their storage service.


I quit cigarettes after I started smoking cigars. They're industrial products made by wrapping tobacco leaves in paper. As an editor, writer, and book seller, I can't exactly burn paper, can I?

Is it bad for your health? Don't be ridiculous. According to Professor Okumura of Juntendo University, nicotine is effective in preventing dementia. So I don't have to worry about becoming senile. They say a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. But in order to harbor an unhealthy mind, the body must also be healthy. You stay healthy in order to do bad things.

If you have enough energy to smoke a cigar, you can do anything.


I used to party a lot back in the day. At clubs in Ginza, at hotel bars. I probably spent 100 million yen a year. Do you know the meaning of the words "Yuge Zanmai" (遊戯山舞) that hang on the wall of the bar? It's a Buddhist term that means there is truth in pleasure. When you start to understand this meaning, you've become a pretty decent man. I've come to understand it to some extent, but I still don't understand it all."


He savored the smoke as if breathing in between conversations. About half of it had already turned to ash. The cigar was a "Winston Churchill," the name of a man of many talents: politician, military man, and writer.

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"Aman Tokyo × ISETAN MEN'S ── A night to talk about cigars and malt whiskey with Katsuhiko Shimaji at Salon de Shimaji ANNEX"
□Date and Time: Tuesday, January 17th, from 8:00 PM □Location: Aman Tokyo, 33rd Floor Cigar Lounge "Fumois" (Aman Tokyo, Otemachi Tower, 1-5-6 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004)

■Capacity: 15 people ■Participation fee: 21,600 yen
■Reservation Method: Reservations can be made in-store or by phone. Please contact the person in charge listed below. *Reservations will be closed once the capacity is reached. Thank you for your understanding.

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

*Smoking is prohibited by law for anyone under the age of 20.
*Drinking alcohol is prohibited by law for those under 20 years of age.
*Please refrain from drinking alcohol or participating in tastings if you are driving a vehicle (including motorcycles and bicycles) or are underage.
*All prices include tax.

Related article : [Interview] Katsuhiko Shimaji x Shin Watanabe of Ichibankan Clothing Store | A man has his smoking suit custom-made in his hideaway.
Salon de Shimaji | Katsuhiko Shimaji's Quote of the Week

Text: Ikeda Yasuyuki
Photo: Ozawa Tatsuya

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