By Ryusei2024.12.05 Update
For the series dialogue: roots and fruits, ArtX delves into the minds of established and emerging collectors from Japan and abroad. Through intimate conversations, we uncover the roots that led them to collect artworks—their personal thoughts, experiences, and philosophies—as well as the collections to which these passions have borne fruit.
Just as a fruit grows only after the plant’s roots are firmly established and its branches and leaves have matured, a variety of memories, events, and philosophies should lie at the root of any collection. By illuminating these inner workings, ArtX seeks to highlight the unique character of each collector.
For our first interview with a Japanese collector, we spoke with Takanori Kataishi, the CEO of Yutori Inc., an apparel company recognized for its portfolio of distinctive brands. The youngest CEO of a publicly listed apparel company in Japan, his achievements extend beyond business: he also performs music under the stage name 69. We had the privilege of interviewing him at his home and office to speak about his multifaceted life as an entrepreneur and an artist, as well as his private passions. In the second part of this interview, we discussed Kataishi’s activities as an artist, his perspective as an entrepreneur, and his vision for the future.
Q1.
You're not only a collector and entrepreneur but also an artist. Has collecting art and engaging with artworks influenced your own artistic practice?
Kataishi: Yes, definitely. I used to think of art as something quite distant from me—something very pure. I felt like that kind of elevated creation was far beyond my reach. But when I spoke to artists and heard them interpret their works and describe the feelings behind them, I realized that art wasn't as intimidating as I thought. I, too, could have that kind of creative process. Art wasn't something unattainable, but something I could also do. I don't paint, but I've always enjoyed writing poetry. Although the medium might be different, the core process isn't so far off. So, I thought, "Why not try to set my words to music?" It took about three years after I bought my first piece of art, but my exposure to art inspired me to create my own.
Q2.
What inspires you to write your poetry?
Kataishi: Since yutori's early days, we've had a concept message at the top of our website. It's actually inspired some people to invest in us. I've always been someone who wants to connect with others, so I’m mindful at all times of the words I use, both in writing and in person. I want to effectively communicate my thoughts. Especially in a company setting, where messages reach a wide audience, it's important to consider the perspectives of various stakeholders.
While my lyrics are very personal, they're also a pure expression of my creativity. I'm not a songwriter for income, so I feel I can explore darker themes, like self-loathing and self-reflection, which I call ‘noise blues.’ I write about experiences that make me feel negatively about myself. It's fascinating how negative emotions can be transformed into something pop through music, with the addition of melodies and tracks.
ArtX: So you're saying you write poetry based on your inner reflections?
Kataishi: When I turn my inner thoughts into poetry, I often think, “Man, I'm such a creep.” If I were to simply put those feelings out there in words, I imagine people would find them difficult to accept. But I want people to see that side of me as well. Often, when people view me as a business owner, they overlook my creative side. It's as though they assume, "Oh, he's a businessman, so his art must be casual." I hate that, because I truly love creating too.
ArtX: It seems like your introspective nature contributes to your consistency. Do you feel that this self-awareness influences how you approach your work or daily life?
Kataishi: I've become the person I've been trying to be, more or less. So, ironically, my past self, the one I couldn't stand, has become a major inspiration for my songwriting. That's why I have a line in one of my songs that goes “Those who want to be loved are unloved.” I think many people feel this way. There's this common idea of 'loving yourself and understanding yourself,' but I'm not sure if love is really that simple. It feels like people, including myself, are becoming more and more selective about their relationships, believing that certain conditions must be met for them to work. The lyric I was inspired by is a famous line by Stevie Wonder. He means that sometimes, simply expressing yourself is enough. The rest is up to your courage. When I think about love and how wanting to be loved can push you further away from it, I find it deeply moving, as it's something I've experienced myself.
What inspires you to write your poetry?
Kataishi: Since yutori's early days, we've had a concept message at the top of our website. It's actually inspired some people to invest in us. I've always been someone who wants to connect with others, so I’m mindful at all times of the words I use, both in writing and in person. I want to effectively communicate my thoughts. Especially in a company setting, where messages reach a wide audience, it's important to consider the perspectives of various stakeholders.
While my lyrics are very personal, they're also a pure expression of my creativity. I'm not a songwriter for income, so I feel I can explore darker themes, like self-loathing and self-reflection, which I call ‘noise blues.’ I write about experiences that make me feel negatively about myself. It's fascinating how negative emotions can be transformed into something pop through music, with the addition of melodies and tracks.
ArtX: So you're saying you write poetry based on your inner reflections?
Kataishi: When I turn my inner thoughts into poetry, I often think, “Man, I'm such a creep.” If I were to simply put those feelings out there in words, I imagine people would find them difficult to accept. But I want people to see that side of me as well. Often, when people view me as a business owner, they overlook my creative side. It's as though they assume, "Oh, he's a businessman, so his art must be casual." I hate that, because I truly love creating too.
ArtX: It seems like your introspective nature contributes to your consistency. Do you feel that this self-awareness influences how you approach your work or daily life?
Kataishi: I've become the person I've been trying to be, more or less. So, ironically, my past self, the one I couldn't stand, has become a major inspiration for my songwriting. That's why I have a line in one of my songs that goes “Those who want to be loved are unloved.” I think many people feel this way. There's this common idea of 'loving yourself and understanding yourself,' but I'm not sure if love is really that simple. It feels like people, including myself, are becoming more and more selective about their relationships, believing that certain conditions must be met for them to work. The lyric I was inspired by is a famous line by Stevie Wonder. He means that sometimes, simply expressing yourself is enough. The rest is up to your courage. When I think about love and how wanting to be loved can push you further away from it, I find it deeply moving, as it's something I've experienced myself.
Q3.
You seem to value intuition in both your work and as a collector. Where do you think intuition comes from, and when do you feel it most strongly?
Kataishi: I believe intuition is shaped by unconscious judgments formed through various inputs. For me, it's been heavily influenced by subcultures in fashion, music, and art. I've immersed myself in vintage clothing, Japanese indie bands, and alternative cultures, which have all led to a strong foundation for my taste. This might seem like a tangent but, given my profession, I actively use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to stay current with trends and societal moods. I'm always trying to gauge what people are angry about and, conversely, what they desire. The fashion industry is closely tied to trends, so this kind of input is essential. Additionally, I'm quite interested in spiritual concepts. My decisions stem from my roots, current trends, and my spiritual beliefs.
Q4.
How do you balance reaching a mass audience while staying true to your unique worldview?
Kataishi: Balancing a brand's worldview with business demands is one of the most challenging aspects of the creative industry. Even as a teenager, I was into streetwear brands like Stüssy and Supreme. I’ve noticed a pattern since I first visited a vintage store in Harajuku as a high school student. Many Japanese designer brands that were popular during that time have struggled to maintain their growth over the past 15 years. They often peak and then plateau, or they get stuck in their past successes, leading to overstocked inventory and brand dilution.
I think this happens because in Japan, designers often become CEOs of their own brands, unlike in Western companies like LVMH, where there's a clear separation between designers and business managers. I believe that it's unrealistic to expect a single brand to maintain constant growth. I've witnessed these harsh realities firsthand. That's why, when I started yutori, I envisioned a company that could house 10, 20, 50, or even 100 brands. I believe in adapting to market demands and creating a structure that can organically expand or contract based on consumer enthusiasm. While scaling up is not inherently bad, neither is scaling down. The key is to maintain the unique identity of each brand while achieving overall growth.
You seem to value intuition in both your work and as a collector. Where do you think intuition comes from, and when do you feel it most strongly?
Kataishi: I believe intuition is shaped by unconscious judgments formed through various inputs. For me, it's been heavily influenced by subcultures in fashion, music, and art. I've immersed myself in vintage clothing, Japanese indie bands, and alternative cultures, which have all led to a strong foundation for my taste. This might seem like a tangent but, given my profession, I actively use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to stay current with trends and societal moods. I'm always trying to gauge what people are angry about and, conversely, what they desire. The fashion industry is closely tied to trends, so this kind of input is essential. Additionally, I'm quite interested in spiritual concepts. My decisions stem from my roots, current trends, and my spiritual beliefs.
Q4.
How do you balance reaching a mass audience while staying true to your unique worldview?
Kataishi: Balancing a brand's worldview with business demands is one of the most challenging aspects of the creative industry. Even as a teenager, I was into streetwear brands like Stüssy and Supreme. I’ve noticed a pattern since I first visited a vintage store in Harajuku as a high school student. Many Japanese designer brands that were popular during that time have struggled to maintain their growth over the past 15 years. They often peak and then plateau, or they get stuck in their past successes, leading to overstocked inventory and brand dilution.
I think this happens because in Japan, designers often become CEOs of their own brands, unlike in Western companies like LVMH, where there's a clear separation between designers and business managers. I believe that it's unrealistic to expect a single brand to maintain constant growth. I've witnessed these harsh realities firsthand. That's why, when I started yutori, I envisioned a company that could house 10, 20, 50, or even 100 brands. I believe in adapting to market demands and creating a structure that can organically expand or contract based on consumer enthusiasm. While scaling up is not inherently bad, neither is scaling down. The key is to maintain the unique identity of each brand while achieving overall growth.
ArtX: It seems like you're taking a very holistic and fluid approach to everything.
Kataishi: It's really connected to what we were just discussing about intuition and observation. At yutori, we place a lot of importance on constantly monitoring the trend market and making flexible judgments about whether we're overextending ourselves.
ArtX: You have a very calm and level-headed perspective on your brands.
Kataishi: Yes. Because I have love, paradoxically, I don't have unrealistic hope. I'm truly passionate about what I do and simply want to continue doing it, so I want to avoid becoming blindly devoted or arrogant.
Q5.
This is the last question. You're involved in a wide range of activities as an entrepreneur, collector, and artist. What kind of impact do you hope to have on society?
Kataishi: Ever since I first watched Nobuta wo Produce in elementary school, I've felt a strong calling to discover hidden talents and connect them with the world. I believe that's my purpose in life. I want to create a ‘youth empire’ where, within the capitalist system, young people can achieve success, accumulate wealth, and then reinvest that wealth into supporting talented individuals. It's a bit unconventional to talk about distributing wealth like that, but I feel a strong sense of defiance. I want to connect with younger artists and help them gain recognition.
Kataishi: It's really connected to what we were just discussing about intuition and observation. At yutori, we place a lot of importance on constantly monitoring the trend market and making flexible judgments about whether we're overextending ourselves.
ArtX: You have a very calm and level-headed perspective on your brands.
Kataishi: Yes. Because I have love, paradoxically, I don't have unrealistic hope. I'm truly passionate about what I do and simply want to continue doing it, so I want to avoid becoming blindly devoted or arrogant.
Q5.
This is the last question. You're involved in a wide range of activities as an entrepreneur, collector, and artist. What kind of impact do you hope to have on society?
Kataishi: Ever since I first watched Nobuta wo Produce in elementary school, I've felt a strong calling to discover hidden talents and connect them with the world. I believe that's my purpose in life. I want to create a ‘youth empire’ where, within the capitalist system, young people can achieve success, accumulate wealth, and then reinvest that wealth into supporting talented individuals. It's a bit unconventional to talk about distributing wealth like that, but I feel a strong sense of defiance. I want to connect with younger artists and help them gain recognition.
“Because I have love, paradoxically, I don't have unrealistic hope. I'm truly passionate about what I do and simply want to continue doing it, so I want to avoid becoming blindly devoted or arrogant.”
For Kataishi, love is not a longing for something unattainable. His is not a one-sided, dream-driven affection for fashion, but a deep-rooted commitment to growing with the industry.
For Kataishi, love is not a longing for something unattainable. His is not a one-sided, dream-driven affection for fashion, but a deep-rooted commitment to growing with the industry.
Kataishi's approach to business blends two seemingly contradictory perspectives: a broad, visionary approach needed to navigate the dynamic fashion industry, and the introspective, grounded mindset that keeps him connected to his intuition and values.
As a successful entrepreneur in a dynamic industry, Kataishi maintains a profound connection to his inner world, constantly questioning himself. His love for fashion grounds him, giving him a steady and clear-eyed approach to the future.
