Akihiko Tsuda×Chisako Takashima

2012.10.01

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 Akihiko Tsuda, president of Ginza Tsudaya, a long-standing kimono accessory shop.

When I was a kid, department stores were our playground.

Takashima: Were you born and raised in Ginza?
Tsuda: I lived in Ginza until my first year of high school. That was before this building (that the current shop is in) was built…
Takashima: No kidding!! What was it like to live in Ginza at the time?
Tsuda: Department stores were our playground. We went up to the roof and to the toy department. Also, the Matsuya parking lot was just behind our house, so at night when there were fewer people around, we would play catch there.
Takashima: That’s interesting. It’s hard to imagine today.
Tsuda: We can’t live there now because the rent is too high (laughs).
Takashima: Were you a little sad to move away from Ginza?
Tsuda: Yes, well I had been living there since very little, so I was very attached to it. But I think that if you live in the big city, you long for other places.
For example, whenever I had to write my address, I would write “Ginza, Chuo Ward” and everyone around me would jump in surprise (laughs).
Takashima: I see. I’m sure many people wish they had that problem.

Its attraction is that you can buy quality products that can only be found in Ginza.

Takashima: How do you want Ginza, your hometown, to be in the future?
Tsuda: I hope that each shop will increase their attraction even more, and that Ginza as a whole will come together and carry out many productions for its customers.
Takashima: That sounds great. By the way, the other day I went to the Uniqlo in Ginza. The Ginza shop offers limited edition Ginza products. I was looking at some kids clothes and thought they were really nice, and then I saw the price… It was definitely not a Uniqlo price (laughs). I thought, Ginza sure is true to its reputation.
Tsuda: Is that so (laughs). I think that Ginza does not always necessarily mean high class. I think it’s great that you can buy quality products that can only be found in Ginza and not in any other area. I think this links to its attraction.

The next guest will be…

Takashima: Could you tell us about the next guest?
Tsuda: It’s Rie Horikawa, director of Optician Iwasaki. It’s a glasses shop with a long history that has been around since the Meiji era, so she can answer all your questions about eyes and glasses.

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

Akihiko Tsuda

President of Ginza Tsuyada.
Aside from his main business, he also acts as head of the sales promotion committee of the Ginza Street Association and strives daily for the development of Ginza.

Website for Ginza Tsudaya

Writer: Mikiko Okai 　　Interview cooperation: Cafe de Ginza Miyuki-kan Ginza 4-Chome branch　Website of Ginza Miyuki-kan

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