{"id":3086,"date":"2015-07-07T17:00:57","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T08:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/?p=3086"},"modified":"2015-07-23T10:29:42","modified_gmt":"2015-07-23T01:29:42","slug":"%e4%ba%80%e5%b2%a1-%e5%b9%b8%e5%ad%90x%e9%ab%98%e5%b6%8b-%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e5%ad%90","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/connective\/3086","title":{"rendered":"Koko Kameoka \u00d7 Chisako Takashima"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Leaving priesthood to serve in the household of a branch of the Imperial family. The founder and his strong bond with Prince Arisugawa. <\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
May I ask you to briefly go over Taikakukan\u2019s history?<\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Our company was established in the beginning of the Meiji period and we have been in business for five generations now. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Who founded the company?<\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Our founder was originally the chief priest of a temple in Hiroshima. One day, he happened to be called to serve in the household of a branch of the Imperial family\u2026<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
What happened?<\/dd>\n
Kameoka <\/dt>\n
When His Highness Prince Arisugawa was travelling around Japan, he happened to stay at our founder\u2019s temple. The Prince took an immediate liking to our founder and asked him to leave the priesthood and come back with him. Hence, he came to Ginza to serve in the household of the Arisugawa family. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I would never have imagined that such a story could really occur!<\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Fate can be very mysterious. I would suppose that land in Ginza was not worth very much back then. Our founder was granted the piece of land where Taikakukan stands today and he started a hotel for those coming to Tokyo from afar. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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A special passion for Ginza\u2019s symbols \u2013 red bricks, willows and gas lamps \u2013 reflected in the Taikakukan building<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Does the name Taikakukan bear a special meaning? <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Taikakukan was given its name by His Highness Prince Arisugawa. The founder\u2019s family name being Kame-oka (literally translated as \u201cturtle-hill\u201d), Taikakukan was taken from the phrase \u201ckame-tai-tsuru (literally translated as \u2018turtle and crane\u2019; the Chinese character for tsuru can also be read kaku)\u201d. Also, the family crest of the Arisugawa family depicts two cranes facing one another. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is interesting. So, at first, you ran a hotel at this very location. <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Yes. According to our records, Sun Yat-sen stayed with us during his exile. The second-generation president closed the hotel, determined that the world would enter the oil era. He founded Kameoka Co., Ltd., which, in addition to oil and real estate, is currently also in the restaurant business. We run a wine restaurant called CINQ in the Taikakukan building. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
How long is the history of the restaurant?<\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
The restaurant opened when the building was renovated by my grandfather, the third-generation president, and that would be in Showa 50 (1975). His intention was to create a place where people working in Ginza could come and relax. It started out as a caf\u00e9 and developed into a restaurant under my father, who is very fond of wine. Celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, we are renovating and will reopen this autumn. I would be more than honored to have you dine with us after our renewal.
\nWhen my grandfather renovated the building, he insisted that the fa\u00e7ade be done in red brick. He had a special passion for red bricks, willow and gas lamps, which symbolized Ginza. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
The Taikakukan building is one of the most prominent buildings in Ginza. <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Nomura Securities used to be one of our tenants. I believe many people still have a strong image of Nomura Securities being in this red brick building, because they used to have a display board for stock quotes on the first floor that often appeared on TV. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Now that you mention it, I do recall seeing that on the news. Times have changed. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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The Taikakukan building, just completed <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The interior of CINQ <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Yukata de GinBra festival \u2013 a summer event born from collective creativity <\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
I have been told that it was originally your idea to launch the Yukata de GinBra (=strolling through Ginza in a yukata) festival, which has become an annual summer event in Ginza. <\/dd>\n
Kameoka <\/dt>\n
I cannot not take entire credit for it. It was an idea collectively developed by all the members of the Ginmikai\u2019s Planning Division, which I had happened to head at the time.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Was there any special occasion that led to the event? <\/dd>\n
Kameoka <\/dt>\n
In Ginza, we hold the Holiday Promenade on the first Sunday of August to celebrate being home to the first Pedestrian Paradise (vehicle-free street). We used to decide on a different theme every year. Yet, we tried not to spend too much money on it and some storeowners would even handcraft paper strings for goldfish scooping.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is quite a lot of work. <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Yes. Since we were all voluntarily involved, we would gather after business hours and discuss details through the night. I felt that we should not have to come up with a new theme every year, but that we should turn it into an event that could build on past experiences \u2013 one that fits Ginza\u2019s image and would thus be continued into the future. It was just then that we received a proposal for uchimizu (=sprinkling water in the streets) and I was inspired to launch something very Japanese for the Holiday Promenade. I thought yukatas would match the refreshingly cool image of uchimizu\u3002<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Uchimizu during the Yukata de GinBra festival<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Takashima<\/dt>\n
So, that is how Yukata de GinBra started.\n<\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Yes. The yukata was originally worn as room wear or pajamas, but just around then, young girls began to wear yukatas with bold patterns and enjoying yukatas as a fashion. Many of us have the impression that kimonos are difficult to wear, but yukatas can be worn very easily. Some people may even be inspired to take lessons in traditional Japanese arts or learning how to wear kimonos.<\/dd>\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
How did the event go the first year? <\/dd>\n
Kameoka <\/dt>\n
The main event was the Ginza Lottery. We asked each business in Ginza to donate some merchandise for the occasion which added up to several million yen. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Really! That sounds exciting! <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Since it was our first lottery, we offered some very luxurious prizes. The Grand Prize was accommodation at a hotel in Ginza and dinner at a renowned restaurant, and the two Ginza Prizes were tickets to indulge in getting clothes tailored in Ginza. One ticket entitled the winner to having a suit tailored at Ichibankan Tailor and the other was for a yukata to be made at Ginza Kunoya.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Do you still have this lottery?<\/dd>\n
Kaemoka<\/dt>\n
No, we haven\u2019t continued it (laughs). Every year, the planning committee devises new ideas. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
It reminds me of the enthusiasm I used to have for planning school festivals. <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
That is very true. Please come to Ginza in your yukata this summer for Yukata de GinBra.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Hoping that Ginza will always be the most renowned town in Japan<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Are you still involved in formal activities in Ginza? <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Yes, I am involved in planning and managing an event called Ginchakai that we host in autumn. I have also become a board member of the Ginza Street Association this year. Its membership comprises owners of buildings on Ginza and Harumi Streets and is thus the largest street association in the Ginza district. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That should make you busy again.<\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
Yes, but being involved allows me to have the opportunity to speak with more experienced business owners and to make new friends whom I can consult with when I am faced with challenges, so it is actually very rewarding. What is gained from the experience surpasses the time consumed for it. We have been in business for over 100 years in Ginza. Ginza has treated us very well and it is my pleasure to be able to do something in return. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Before we close, may I ask you to talk about your feelings for Ginza? <\/dd>\n
Kameoka<\/dt>\n
I believe Ginza embraces a mixture of Japanese and Western culture. With an increasing number of people visiting Ginza from different parts of the world, I expect it will develop into an even more fascinating town through the introduction of a variety of cultures. I hope that it will always be the most renowned town in Japan, as it has been to date. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Chisako Takashima<\/h4>\n

Violinist. Takashima started taking violin lessons from the age of 6. After a successful career abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, where she currently performs in concerts across the country. Highly noted for her character in TV and radio appearances, she has currently opened up her career to more diverse fields with an unchanged focus on her profession.<\/p>\n

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

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Koko Kameoka<\/h4>\n

President and CEO of Kameoka Co., Ltd and Taikakukan Co., Ltd.. Kameoka went to high school overseas and earned her MBA at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., U.S.A. Upon returning to Japan, she worked in marketing research at Microsoft Japan, and then joined Kameoka Co., Ltd. In 2010, she assumed her current position. Her hobbies include playing golf, Japanese tea ceremony and shooting. <\/p>\n

Kameoka Holdings Co., Ltd. website<\/a>
\nBar and Dining CINQ website<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

Written by Mikiko Okai; Place of interview: CINQ <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Strings on Fire New album by Chisako Takashima available in stores! <\/h4>\n

Finally released! Chisaka Takashima\u2019s long-awaited new album, Strings on Fire.
\nA compilation of 12 tunes: 3 originals, including \u201cSome Day, Just the Two of Us,\u201d a duet with the cello, played by her second son (age 6), and other classical standards.
\nFeaturing special album cover art drawn by Masashi Kishimoto, author of the popular manga NARUTO.
\nCelebrating the 20th anniversary of violinist Chisako Takashima, opening new frontiers with the second album released under her new record label. <\/p>\n

Visit Chisako Takashima\u2019s official website for more information.<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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