Choichiro Motoyama×Chisako Takashima

2012.04.04

A talk series with the violinist Chisako Takashima and the Ginza people. Ginza holds many personal and professional memories for Takashima. In this talk series, she thoroughly explores various aspects of the Ginza culture with her guests. Today’s guest is Akira Endo, representative director of the Hatsuko Endo Group, famous for pioneering modern beauty treatments in Japan and supporting women’s beauty for more than a century.

Hatsuko Endo IV provides beauty treatments for Empress Michiko

Takashima: The original shop was located behind the Yamaha Ginza Building. What kind of place was it at that time?
Endo: The area was lined with tea houses.
Takashima: So many of the customers were associated with the geisha world?
Endo: Actually, no. Most of the customers were from the middle and upper class. Such treatments became popular among the upper class, and “beauty treatment” even became a buzzword at the time.
Takashima: So high society people would come for skin care, get their hair set, and then go out to a party?
Endo: That was the case. In those days, however, it was common practice to visit the customer’s home for weddings or similar occasions.
Takashima: Yes, I remember that. If I recall, Hatsuko Endo was responsible for the preparations for Michiko Shoda [the current empress] when she married Crown Prince Akihito [the current emperor] in 1959.
Endo: The royal family have been with us since the time of Hatsuko Endo I. My mother, Hatsuko Endo IV, was charged with the responsibility of preparing the future princess. Basic beauty treatments were done at our store in Tokyo Kaikan, and my mother assisted the bride with rehearsals to help her get used to the junihitoe (12-layered ceremonial kimono) she would wear on her wedding day.
Takashima: That’s wonderful.
Endo: Thank you. We are honored that the empress continues to visit us today.

Hatsuko Endo Esthetic, Ginza Store

Hatsuko Endo Beauty Studio, Ginza Store

In touch with Japanese culture through calligraphy and pottery-making

Takashima: How do you spend your time away from the Hatsuko Endo Group?
Endo: Mostly playing golf. I’ve also enjoyed making pottery for the last 15 or 16 years.
Takashima: Where do you do your pottery firing?
Endo: Usually at the Nihon Miyabigoto Club.
Takashima: The Nihon Miyabigoto Club?
Endo: It is a club for performing Japanese cultural activities such as tea ceremony, pottery and shamisen. All members must take calligraphy, and I started there because I wasn’t very good at calligraphy. Many well-known teachers come there to give classes.
Takashima: I didn’t know that. Learning different aspects of Japanese culture is a good thing.
Endo: I’m also a member of the Ginza Rotary Club, which I attend weekly.
Takashima: You seem to attend many clubs!

It’s important to remember the spirit of innovation that sparked Ginza’s development

Takashima: How would you compare today’s Ginza to the Ginza of your childhood?
Endo: In my childhood, there were many places in Ginza where you could play. Ginza-dori Ave. was lined with shops that opened in the evening, and there would be picture-story shows in empty lots. Although things have changed since then, it’s still my hometown. It’s an easy place to navigate.
Takashima: Could you provide a message for the future Ginza?
Endo: Ginza is a town for sophisticated adults. At the same time, one of Ginza’s charms is being able to leisurely stroll the main and back streets. To remain a charming place, it’s important that we remember the spirit of innovation that sparked Ginza’s development. Doing so may create apprehension that the essence of Ginza will be lost. Many stores open in Ginza, you know, but the ones that don’t fit in here just seem to naturally disappear. The next generation of capable businesspeople is firmly steering Ginza, so I am not worried. I wish them the best in their efforts.

The next guest will be…

Takashima: Could you tell us about the next guest?
Endo: Sayuri, the proprietor of the venerable exclusive CLUB GRÈS. This club counts business leaders and cultural figures among its regular customers. She will have many stories to tell.

Chisako Takashima

Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.

Chisako Takashima’s Official Website

Akira Endo

Representative director of the Hatsuko Endo Group. Has worked to build the Ginza community, including serving as a former chairman of the Ginza Street Association and a former representative for the Ginza Association. His hobbies are golf and pottery-making.

Hatsuko Endo website

Writer: Mikiko Okai　　Interview Location: Hatsuko Endo Weddings

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