Specialty hat shop with an 80+ year history that continues to be preserved by the fourth-generation president and hatmaker.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Excuse me for leaving my hat on today.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Not at all, it\u2019s wonderful. As would be expected of a specialty hat shop, your shop has quite the number of hats.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Each of our hats is handmade by one of our ten craftspersons including myself.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No kidding! I can\u2019t believe these are all handmade. I really like hats, but I haven\u2019t been to many specialty hat shops. <\/p>\n
What year did Ginza Vogue open?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Over 80 years ago. I\u2019m the fourth president. Four presidents in less than 100 years may seem like a fast turnover rate, but we aren\u2019t hiding any secrets (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Yes, I\u2019m sure (laughs). When did you start making hats?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- At 27. Before that I worked at an advertising agency and learned quite a bit there. My predecessor retired at 82 about two or three years ago, but at first I learned everything from him. Well, he didn\u2019t teach me every little thing so I had to watch and learn patiently.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- And you\u2019ve continued making hats since then.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Yes. I was absolutely delighted when my hats were sold in the shop and it became fun. The hats I made that were displayed in the shop felt like shining stars to me.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- You must be very good with your hands.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- No, I\u2019m horribly clumsy. In my family, my father, older brother and younger brother are all surgeons. They\u2019ve always said to me, you\u2019re too clumsy to sew a person (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Wow, a family of doctors! So, you won\u2019t succeed your father then.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- No, I\u2019m succeeding my uncle. I think I\u2019ve been interested in the hat shop for a long time.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Now that you\u2019re making all these truly fabulous hats for the world, it\u2019s wonderful that you became a hatmaker.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Thank you.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_01.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_02.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_03.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_04.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nI make one-of-a-kind hats after many conversations with the customers.<\/h4>\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- The hats look very delicate when shown this way. I\u2019m sure that there are all sorts of trends, but Ginza Vogue hats often have elegant designs that look like they\u2019d be worn by the Imperial family.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Our hats are generally one-of-a-kind. We talk with each customer to determine what design and fabric are best \u2014 to \u201cmake the hat together with the customer.\u201d That is the style we aim for.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Each and every one is haute couture. That\u2019s just wonderful.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- While talking with the customer we become inspired. We draw ideas from the loads of hints hidden throughout the conversation and use them to propose a design.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Can one also buy the hats displayed in the shop?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. Yes, customers who want a certain item can buy it as is, or they can ask for certain alterations, for example sizing it to their own fit or otherwise making adjustments for that specific customer.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I have a hat I really like, but after five years of wear, it\u2019s coming apart. Do you also repair old hats?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Certainly. We repair hats from other shops too.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Wonderful! I\u2019ll bring my hat over. It\u2019s a straw hat that started falling apart when I took the kids to the pool and wore it in the water.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Straw hats are actually immersed in water when they are first made. As long as the original material is not degraded, I\u2019m sure I can fix it.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Great! Next time I will bring it, so please give it a try. By the way, is there a certain type of hat that looks great on anyone?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- The hats that suit a person depend on the balance between the hat and the wearer. But, in my experience, the hats that suit a person are not always the same as those the person likes.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I\u2019m sure you are right about that. What shape of hat would suit me?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- I think you would look good in a floppy fedora. The so-called \u201cCasablanca hat.\u201d Berets would probably also suit you.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Really? That\u2019s unexpected!<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- That said, hats suit a person more the longer they wear them. This is because the wearer learns the best angle. People\u2019s faces are never symmetrical, so there is a best angle. Also, we tell customers that half of it is about attitude.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I see. Fashion is really all about finding something you love.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_05.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_06.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nWe overcame a sudden shop closure and reopened with the new feeling.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Ginza Vogue moved here and reopened in 2013. What was the reason for that?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Before I started, my aunt was running the place, but she suddenly shut the shop as she approached her 90th birthday because she said she wanted to have fun enjoying the rest of her life. I just happened to be on a 10 day business trip to Hiroshima and was told over the phone on my second day there.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What?! That\u2019s really sudden. What trouble for you.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. Yes. I was told to find my own money and place and do my best on my own. I was pretty shocked.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- So the shop was shuttered in January, 2013. What did you do after that?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- We had sold the rest of our stock in a closing sale, but you need hats to have a hat shop. So, I kept on making hats and hats until I could reopen the shop. It was a great opportunity. While they may not be hot-selling items, I tried using beautifully colored fabric and creating new designs of hats. I churned out loads and loads of hats with designs I had always wanted to create but never could before, and it was quite a lot of fun.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Your wife didn\u2019t object?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- She asked me what my intention was, but I convinced her that it wasn\u2019t forever and I was making products to sell, and she was okay with it.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Men lead such a care-free existence (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- But I really got a lot of help from people. The manager who had been working at the shop forever was a really important employee who knew our major customers well and would hold out for the new shop to open, or said, if it was too difficult, would even forfeit the salary.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How chivalrous!<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s a woman, actually (laughs). Also, the owner of the building, Mr. Watanabe who owns Ichibankan, is a friend of mine, and kept the space open without renting to anyone for the many months it took until we were ready. I truly sensed human compassion.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That is so nice to hear. It\u2019s also great that the first floor is a clothing shop. That way, the building is equipped so that you can pick your clothes and your hat together.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Yes, we\u2019re lucky.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_07.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nI want to continue blazing my small path as one start in the Ginza galaxy.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- You\u2019ve told me some great stories. Lastly, can you tell me your thoughts on Ginza?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- The people of Ginza are warm-hearted. When we reopened the shop, I was so pleased that everyone in Ginza was really happy for us. People brought us customers, saying they were friends with the previous owner, and some of our long-cherished customers went out of their way to call and make orders during the period when the shop was closed. I truly felt the strong bonds we had with people.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- You are a man of virtue.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- No, not at all. I am always worried about whether I can really fulfill that role and can actually do it. It\u2019s just a small business, so I\u2019m trying my best to do what I can \u2014 make good hats that will make people happy.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That is what is most important.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Yes. The previous president of Ginza Sayegusa once said that Ginza is like a galaxy, and I thought that was a lovely way of putting it. Just like a galaxy, it is sprinkled with all sorts of shops. I want to continue blazing my small path as one of those shops. I\u2019m sorry for going on and on. I\u2019m an artisan of chatting.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Not at all, I\u2019ve enjoyed listening to your many interesting stories. Thank you.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_08.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s Shigeyuki Ando, manager of the Tokyo branch of Ando Cloisonne. Ando Cloisonne has won awards from around the world, and is a fun shop with lots of wonderful products.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_29_09.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nChisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
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.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Excuse me for leaving my hat on today.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Not at all, it\u2019s wonderful. As would be expected of a specialty hat shop, your shop has quite the number of hats.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Each of our hats is handmade by one of our ten craftspersons including myself.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No kidding! I can\u2019t believe these are all handmade. I really like hats, but I haven\u2019t been to many specialty hat shops. <\/p>\n
What year did Ginza Vogue open?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Over 80 years ago. I\u2019m the fourth president. Four presidents in less than 100 years may seem like a fast turnover rate, but we aren\u2019t hiding any secrets (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Yes, I\u2019m sure (laughs). When did you start making hats?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- At 27. Before that I worked at an advertising agency and learned quite a bit there. My predecessor retired at 82 about two or three years ago, but at first I learned everything from him. Well, he didn\u2019t teach me every little thing so I had to watch and learn patiently.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- And you\u2019ve continued making hats since then.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Yes. I was absolutely delighted when my hats were sold in the shop and it became fun. The hats I made that were displayed in the shop felt like shining stars to me.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- You must be very good with your hands.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- No, I\u2019m horribly clumsy. In my family, my father, older brother and younger brother are all surgeons. They\u2019ve always said to me, you\u2019re too clumsy to sew a person (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Wow, a family of doctors! So, you won\u2019t succeed your father then.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- No, I\u2019m succeeding my uncle. I think I\u2019ve been interested in the hat shop for a long time.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Now that you\u2019re making all these truly fabulous hats for the world, it\u2019s wonderful that you became a hatmaker.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Thank you.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
I make one-of-a-kind hats after many conversations with the customers.<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- The hats look very delicate when shown this way. I\u2019m sure that there are all sorts of trends, but Ginza Vogue hats often have elegant designs that look like they\u2019d be worn by the Imperial family.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Our hats are generally one-of-a-kind. We talk with each customer to determine what design and fabric are best \u2014 to \u201cmake the hat together with the customer.\u201d That is the style we aim for.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Each and every one is haute couture. That\u2019s just wonderful.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- While talking with the customer we become inspired. We draw ideas from the loads of hints hidden throughout the conversation and use them to propose a design.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Can one also buy the hats displayed in the shop?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. Yes, customers who want a certain item can buy it as is, or they can ask for certain alterations, for example sizing it to their own fit or otherwise making adjustments for that specific customer.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I have a hat I really like, but after five years of wear, it\u2019s coming apart. Do you also repair old hats?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Certainly. We repair hats from other shops too.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Wonderful! I\u2019ll bring my hat over. It\u2019s a straw hat that started falling apart when I took the kids to the pool and wore it in the water.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Straw hats are actually immersed in water when they are first made. As long as the original material is not degraded, I\u2019m sure I can fix it.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Great! Next time I will bring it, so please give it a try. By the way, is there a certain type of hat that looks great on anyone?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- The hats that suit a person depend on the balance between the hat and the wearer. But, in my experience, the hats that suit a person are not always the same as those the person likes.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I\u2019m sure you are right about that. What shape of hat would suit me?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- I think you would look good in a floppy fedora. The so-called \u201cCasablanca hat.\u201d Berets would probably also suit you.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Really? That\u2019s unexpected!<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- That said, hats suit a person more the longer they wear them. This is because the wearer learns the best angle. People\u2019s faces are never symmetrical, so there is a best angle. Also, we tell customers that half of it is about attitude.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I see. Fashion is really all about finding something you love.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\nWe overcame a sudden shop closure and reopened with the new feeling.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Ginza Vogue moved here and reopened in 2013. What was the reason for that?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Before I started, my aunt was running the place, but she suddenly shut the shop as she approached her 90th birthday because she said she wanted to have fun enjoying the rest of her life. I just happened to be on a 10 day business trip to Hiroshima and was told over the phone on my second day there.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What?! That\u2019s really sudden. What trouble for you.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. Yes. I was told to find my own money and place and do my best on my own. I was pretty shocked.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- So the shop was shuttered in January, 2013. What did you do after that?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- We had sold the rest of our stock in a closing sale, but you need hats to have a hat shop. So, I kept on making hats and hats until I could reopen the shop. It was a great opportunity. While they may not be hot-selling items, I tried using beautifully colored fabric and creating new designs of hats. I churned out loads and loads of hats with designs I had always wanted to create but never could before, and it was quite a lot of fun.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Your wife didn\u2019t object?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- She asked me what my intention was, but I convinced her that it wasn\u2019t forever and I was making products to sell, and she was okay with it.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Men lead such a care-free existence (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- But I really got a lot of help from people. The manager who had been working at the shop forever was a really important employee who knew our major customers well and would hold out for the new shop to open, or said, if it was too difficult, would even forfeit the salary.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How chivalrous!<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s a woman, actually (laughs). Also, the owner of the building, Mr. Watanabe who owns Ichibankan, is a friend of mine, and kept the space open without renting to anyone for the many months it took until we were ready. I truly sensed human compassion.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That is so nice to hear. It\u2019s also great that the first floor is a clothing shop. That way, the building is equipped so that you can pick your clothes and your hat together.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Yes, we\u2019re lucky.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
I want to continue blazing my small path as one start in the Ginza galaxy.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- You\u2019ve told me some great stories. Lastly, can you tell me your thoughts on Ginza?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- The people of Ginza are warm-hearted. When we reopened the shop, I was so pleased that everyone in Ginza was really happy for us. People brought us customers, saying they were friends with the previous owner, and some of our long-cherished customers went out of their way to call and make orders during the period when the shop was closed. I truly felt the strong bonds we had with people.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- You are a man of virtue.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- No, not at all. I am always worried about whether I can really fulfill that role and can actually do it. It\u2019s just a small business, so I\u2019m trying my best to do what I can \u2014 make good hats that will make people happy.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That is what is most important.<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- Yes. The previous president of Ginza Sayegusa once said that Ginza is like a galaxy, and I thought that was a lovely way of putting it. Just like a galaxy, it is sprinkled with all sorts of shops. I want to continue blazing my small path as one of those shops. I\u2019m sorry for going on and on. I\u2019m an artisan of chatting.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Not at all, I\u2019ve enjoyed listening to your many interesting stories. Thank you.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Hara<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s Shigeyuki Ando, manager of the Tokyo branch of Ando Cloisonne. Ando Cloisonne has won awards from around the world, and is a fun shop with lots of wonderful products.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Chisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
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.<\/p>\n