{"id":5024,"date":"2016-02-15T12:00:34","date_gmt":"2016-02-15T03:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/?p=5024"},"modified":"2016-02-22T10:33:13","modified_gmt":"2016-02-22T01:33:13","slug":"%e5%b1%b1%e9%87%8e-%e6%94%bf%e5%bd%a6x%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\/5024","title":{"rendered":"Masahiko Yamano\u00d7Chisako Takashima"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Thriving in internationally popular Ginza, a long-established music shop leading Japan\u2019s future <\/h4>\n
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Takashima <\/dt>\n
I often shop at Yamano Music. My eight-year-old son recently began taking trumpet lessons and I bought him his trumpet at Yamano Music. Your staff were very helpful setting up the instrument and providing us with advice on which textbook we should purchase. <\/dd>\n
Yamano <\/dt>\n
Thank you, on behalf of my company. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Could you please tell me about your corporate history? <\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
The history of our company dates back to 1892 (Meiji 25), when it was originally founded as Matsumoto Music, a manufacturer and retailer of organs and pianos. Seventeen years later in 1909 (Meiji 42), the company was placed in the hands of my great-grandfather whose mission was to bring it out of financial crisis. He established Yamano Music in 1915 (Taisho 4). <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
For how many generations have you been in business? <\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
I am the fourth president of our company. I have grown up being reminded that I was to pursue my life as the fourth president of Yamano Music from the day I was born. Music is not actually a profitable trade, but I feel a sense of responsibility that our legacy is in my hands and that I must not quit (laughs). Located in Ginza, an internationally popular location, I am thriving everyday with the determination to lead Japan\u2019s music industry.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Many of us download songs from the Internet nowadays, but when it comes to musical instruments, it is important to actually touch and check inside before purchasing. Conversations with store staff can also be an opportunity to catch the latest information. I believe it is very important to have stores like Yamano Music. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n\"\u9280\u5ea7\u5c71\u91ce\u697d\u5668<\/p>\n

Yamano Music main store in Ginza <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Inside the main store<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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My dream is to increase people with musical hobbies.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
I have heard that you lay a special emphasis on your music classes.<\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
Yes, that is true. We have 47 schools nationwide and teach around 25,000 students. Given our corporate concept of \u201ccontributing to society through music promotion\u201d, my dream is to \u201cincrease the number of people who play musical instruments as a hobby in Japan.\u201d <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
How wonderful! I share the same dream! I have always wanted to open a music school for people who are interested in taking up a musical instrument as a hobby. <\/dd>\n
Yamano <\/dt>\n
I believe that if we could have people from other countries saying that everyone plays an instrument in Japan, it would be our strength. Music is culturally very important, and that would probably be more impressive than having the entire Japanese population be fluent in English. We would gain a lot of respect. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
What kind of lessons do you offer? <\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
Our students are mainly adults. We have a salon and lounge, where they can enjoy drinks and relax. We offer a variety of courses in string instruments, wind instruments, the piano, guitars and drums. It would be wonderful if we could interest people in trying out an instrument as a favorite pastime. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I would love to teach one of your classes! Oh, but I may end up losing all of my students because I would be too harsh on them (laughs).<\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
I am sure you would have more students than you can handle. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if we could really collaborate one day. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Music school lounge <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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From Mikimoto to Yamano Music. Traditional Christmas tree illuminations in Ginza.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Last year, you took over the Christmas tree illuminations that Mikimoto used to do annually. <\/dd>\n
Yamano <\/dt>\n
Yes. It all started with a live TV program called Morning Bird that happened to be doing a special report on Mikimoto ending its Christmas tree illuminations. Kazushige Nagashima was on the show and he said, \u201cYamano, you should take over!\u201d Kazushige and I have been very close friends since kindergarten. We went to school together from kindergarten to university. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Really! What a coincidence. My son currently goes to school with Mr. Nagashima\u2019s child. What a small world we live in.<\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
The broadcast aroused rumors on Twitter, etc. that the Christmas illuminations would be continued by Yamano Music, and there was a lot of expectation. It was almost as if I had the world encouraging me to man up and take on this project, and there was no turning back. So, I decided to do the illuminations. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is an interesting episode. I wasn\u2019t aware of that.<\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
I told Kazushige, \u201cYou started this, so it is your job to come to the tree-lighting ceremony,\u201d and he really did. I plan to continue the Christmas tree illuminations every year. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"\u30ed\u30a2\u30d9\u30fc\u30eb\u30d0\u30a6\u30e0\"<\/p>\n

Christmas tree at Yamano Music <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Ginza is originally a shopping street. I hope our boutiques will always be the source of Ginza\u2019s sparkle. <\/h4>\n
\n
\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
Before we close, please tell me how you feel about Ginza. <\/dd>\n
Yamano <\/dt>\n
I have watched Ginza develop since I was born and I am sure I have stronger feelings for this town than many other people. I still clearly remember street cars running through in the streets and looking up to see the electric cables of the street car system extending over the streets like a spider web. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Did you perhaps live in the floors above the Ginza store? <\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
Our family lived in this building up to my father\u2019s generation. I have never lived here, but my permanent address is here in Ginza and I am proud of that. It is one of the reasons why I do not want Ginza to change. I would like for it to always be the safest town in Japan for adults to stroll in. <\/dd>\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
I see. What do you think is the most attractive feature of Ginza.<\/dd>\n
Yamano <\/dt>\n
Our sidewalks are very wide in Ginza. The wide sidewalks allow us to hold events in front of our shops. At our store, we invite artists who performed in the Red and White Year-end Song Festival to come in for an event every year on January 2. If it were not for the sidewalks, it would be impossible to hold such an event in front of the store on a day when the street has not been designated a vehicle-free \u201cpedestrians\u2019 paradise\u201d. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is very true.<\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
The best part about Ginza is that it has developed as a shopping street with many boutiques and specialty stores. We have a firm local network. Since everyone used to live in the back or in the upper floors of their store, we were all close neighbors. The owner of our next-door neighbor, Ginza Kimuraya, and his wife were the go-betweens at my parents\u2019 wedding. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
How interesting! Ginza really is a traditional shopping street.<\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
The Ginza Toraya hat shop is another long-established business in Ginza. They make the best hats. Ginza Toraya has always made uniform hats for children at Chiisaki Hana Kindergarten. <\/dd>\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
This is unbelievable! My brother also went to Chiisaki Hana Kindergarten. I\u2019ve noticed that the children at that kindergarten wear very nice hats. <\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
We have many things in common (laughs). I strongly feel that it is my mission to continue Yamano Music as a specialty store on Ginza\u2019s shopping street. The demon in me occasionally whispers that it would be much easier to rent out the building, but I am determined to continue to pursue our music business.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is just wonderful.<\/dd>\n
Yamano<\/dt>\n
I would hope that Ginza will continue to be a place where boutiques and specialty stores can continue their trade. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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\n<\/p>\n
\n

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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Masahiko Yamano <\/h4>\n

Fourth President and CEO of Yamano Music. Yamano assumed his position as President in 2003. He is currently engrossed in the electric guitar, which he began to play when he became 50. With a passion for baseball sine he was very young, he has been coaching a little league baseball team for ten years. He is a loving father of two sons. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Written by: Mizuho Takahashi; Place of interview: Yamano Music, Ginza <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\"Strings<\/p>\n
\n

Strings on Fire Chisako Takashima\u2019s new album is 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 \u201ctrue\u201d violinist Chisako Takashima, opening new frontiers with the second album released under her new record label. <\/p>\n

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

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