{"id":1567,"date":"2012-11-01T10:00:14","date_gmt":"2012-11-01T01:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ginzaofficial.sakura.ne.jp\/?p=1567"},"modified":"2015-06-26T18:07:08","modified_gmt":"2015-06-26T09:07:08","slug":"%e6%b4%a5%e7%94%b0-%e5%bd%b0%e5%bd%a6x%e9%ab%98%e5%b6%8b-%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e5%ad%90-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/connective\/1567","title":{"rendered":"Rie Horikawa\u00d7Chisako Takashima"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Optician Iwasaki was a pioneer in mass production of lenses for glasses.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Your shop opened in 1895. How many directors preceded you?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
I am the 5th generation director. The shop has been passed down from generation to generation, so there is a lot of pressure, but I will do my best.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
When did you start to realize that you would be taking over the shop?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
In high school. My grandfather was a real gentleman, never seen without a hat and suit, so he really gave off the air of a true Ginza-ite. I admired him, and felt that I would like to take over the shop from him someday.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
What were glasses like during the Meiji era?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Technology for mass producing glasses came to Japan at the start of the Meiji era and the popularity of domestic made lenses was beginning to spread, but Muneyoshi Iwasaki, who was an elder brother of the shop\u2019s founder, was considered a pioneer in mass production of lenses for glasses. Unlike today, there were very few varieties of frames. Glasses back then were generally round frames with glass lenses. In those days, the focus was not on design, but on functionality for vision correction.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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The facade of Optician Iwasaki<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rows of different types of glasses lined up in the shop<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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UV protection glasses are a must for protecting your eyes from UV rays.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Nowadays, which are more common, plastic or glass lenses?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Plastic are mainstream nowadays. They are light, don\u2019t crack easily and have superior functionality.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
When I had glasses made in the past, I was told that plastic lenses would be very thick.<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
That is not the case anymore. Technology has really progressed. Unless the prescription is really strong, the lenses can be made very thin.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I see that you also wear glasses. How strong is your prescription?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Actually they are not corrective lenses. I have very good vision. They are only UV protective.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That\u2019s very surprising for the director of a glasses shop! You\u2019re very lucky.<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Yes, but I really like glasses, so I have many pairs. UV rays are very bad for your eyes, so I wear UV protection glasses whenever I go outside.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
UV rays are also bad for your eyes?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Yes. They say they cause cataracts. Even if you have good vision, it is recommended that you wear glasses with UV care effects.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/p>\n

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Inventor of museum glasses that are useful for viewing works of art and in regular everyday life.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
What are these uniquely shaped glasses with a handle on them?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
These are called museum glasses. They were invented by the third generation director. He even registered the trademark.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I have never heard of them before. What are they used for?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
As the name \u2018museum\u2019 glasses suggests, they are the best suited for viewing works of art. For example, you might go to a museum or somewhere and want to take a closer look at an exhibit on the wall, but the piece is roped off, preventing you from viewing it from close up. Even if you wear glasses, the piece will not be in focus from a one meter distance. Glasses for far vision are generally made to brings objects that are about 3 meters away into focus. At times like those, these museum glasses can be held in front of your regular glasses to let you see the exhibit with perfect sharpness.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
So they are specialized glasses for looking at paintings?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Viewing paintings was the original inspiration for this invention, but they are also useful for looking at anything close up. For example, they are useful for watching theater and other programs, and come in handy when you are at the hairdresser\u2019s and want to read a magazine after you have taken off your glasses.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Are they different from reading glasses?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Yes they are. They are used in a similar way, but if you want to read more fine print, you can use these in addition to your regular glasses. There are some available in a brooch shape, so you can also wear it as a stylish accessory.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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My favorite thing to do as a child was play around in the lens workroom.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
I understand that you welcomed a new baby this past April. Congratulations.<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Thank you. I am on maternity leave at the moment, and plan to return once things settle down. My mother also worked while raising me, so I am trying to imitate her.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Were you raised in Ginza?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
About half the time. My grandparents lived on the 9th floor of this building, so I often came over to play.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Where did you go for fun?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
I often went to the Hakuhinkan toy store or the bookstore in Matsuzakaya across the street. But my greatest fun was had at the shop workroom. It had machines for grinding lenses and other cool stuff, and the shop workers often let me play with them. I would grind lenses they didn\u2019t need any more into stars (laughs).<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That\u2019s something you can\u2019t do elsewhere (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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I want people to know the great parts about Ginza as a place that can be enjoyed by all types of people.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
What kind of place is Ginza to you?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
I think it\u2019s a wonderful place you can enjoy just strolling through to see the shop windows and can see dignified people like my grandfather walking around. I still admire Ginza.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Where do you want to take your daughter in Ginza?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
I want to walk the streets with her when they are closed to traffic. Ginza is a compact district filled with all types of things, so it\u2019s a great place to walk around with your family without worries.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
What do you hope for Ginza\u2019s future?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
Ginza does not offer only traditional Japanese products. It has also brought in a wide variety of newer products from luxury foreign brands to fast fashion goods. I think it is a place that can be enjoyed by all types of people. I don\u2019t want it to only portray an image of having a high entry level \u2014 I want people of all age groups to know the great parts of Ginza.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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The next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
Horikawa<\/dt>\n
It\u2019s Jun Takahashi, CEO of Tailor Ginza Takahashi. I would love for you to hear his concepts and requirements for his clothes.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
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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

Chisako Takashima\u2019s official website<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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Rie Horikawa<\/h4>\n

Director of Optician Iwasaki, founded in 1895. Enjoys skiing. She strives every day to offer as many people as possible the wise concept of spicing up their lives with glasses.<\/p>\n

Official website for Optician Iwasaki<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

Writer: Mikiko Okai\u3000Interview location: Optician Iwasaki<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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