{"id":6444,"date":"2016-11-04T15:00:29","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T06:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/?p=6444"},"modified":"2017-06-07T16:47:19","modified_gmt":"2017-06-07T07:47:19","slug":"%e4%ba%95%e7%94%b0-%e8%a3%95%e4%ba%8cx%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\/6444","title":{"rendered":"Yuji Ida\u00d7Chisako Takashima"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

The\u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4\u00ae (Fukiyose), a long-seller since the latter half of the Taisho period.<\/h4>\n
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Takashima <\/dt>\n
I have heard that you have been in business since the Meiji era. Where did you open your first store?<\/dd>\n
Ida <\/dt>\n
Our store was founded in 1890, with our first establishment near the Kabukiza Theater. We moved to our current location in the Showa 20s (around 1945). <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Have you always been a traditional Japanese confectioner? <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Yes, at the time of our establishment, we sold Kabuki Senbei, or crackers made from flour and imprinted with the family crests of Kabuki actors. I have been told that it became known for Japanese confectionary during my great grandfather\u2019s time, when he was second-generation CEO. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
So, that makes you the fifth CEO. Could you name some products that have been around for a long time? <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Our leading product, the\u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4\u00ae (Fukiyose), devised by our second CEO, has been a long-seller item since the beginning of the Showa period. Today, I have brought you a personalized can of \u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4\u00ae (Fukiyose). <\/dd>\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
(looking at the\u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4\u00ae (Fukiyose) presented) This is beautiful! What a wonderful surprise! You have even printed my album title!? Did you have it made just for me? <\/dd>\n
Ida <\/dt>\n
Yes. We have recently begun to take orders for customized cans of\u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4\u00ae (Fukiyose). For this occasion, we arranged a special can for you, containing motifs from the four seasons of the year \u2013 spring cherry blossoms, summer seashells and goldfish, autumn chrysanthemums, and new year plum blossoms. We usually have only two goldfish in each can, but learning that you had two sons, I had four goldfish especially put in to represent a family of four. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I am so happy to have this! Thank you very much. I look forward to savoring it later. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\u9ad8\u5d8b\u3055\u3093\u7528<\/p>\n

A personalized can of\u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4\u00ae (Fukiyose) for Chisako Takashima <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Turning local sweets from all over Japan into chic Edo-style confectionary <\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
What does \u201cFukiyose\u201d mean?<\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
The word \u201dfukiyose (\u5439\u304d\u3088\u305b)\u201d originally stands for a mixture of different dry confectionaries that are indispensable in traditional tea ceremonies. Our\u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4\u00ae (Fukiyose) is a mixture of various local sweets from all over Japan, designed by our second CEO, maintaining their original simple taste but sophisticatedly made in a smaller size. We are also very focused on keeping a chic Edo-style balance of colors.<\/dd>\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
I see. So, fukiyose is written using these kanji characters only at Ginza Kikunoya. \u201cInviting (\u5bc4) wealth (\u51a8)\u201d is such an auspicious idea that it would make the perfect gift. <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Yes, in addition to our year-round products, we have seasonal varieties differently arranged for each of the four seasons and also a New Year\u2019s version containing confectionary with the Oriental zodiac of the year drawn on it. I am sure that you will encounter something new on every visit to our shop. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I have heard that the Fukiyose was much talked about when a popular \u201cidol\u201d group brought it as a snack for everyone at the \u201cKohaku Uta Gassen\u201d (Year-end Song Festival). Was it an influential event?<\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
We had not mentioned the event in any of our communications, but the impact was tremendous. It seems that the Fukiyose appeared in a program showing behind-the-scene episodes of the Year-end Song Festival. We received many inquiries following the broadcast, which was after the turn of the year. We are very grateful that Ginza Kikunoya\u2019s Japanese confectionary came to be known among not only the elderly but also among younger generations. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\u51a8\u8cb4\u5bc4<\/p>\n

Fukiyose autumn can <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Making each item with great care for the customer that will take it into his hands. <\/h4>\n
\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
What are some important house rules in making confectionary?<\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
It goes without saying that we use high-quality ingredients, but with the advancement of automation, we emphasize careful work. Even if we use the same recipe every day, we will end up with a different taste according to weather conditions, so we are most careful in making subtle adjustments. We may make 100 or 200 at a time, but for the customer who takes our products into their hands, it is the one. With that in mind, I am determined to continue to make confectionary with great care. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Do you have any policies that have been kept unchanged from the past or others that have been adapted to changing times\uff1f<\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
It has been 126 years since our establishment, and you may be surprised to know that we have no policies that binds us to old traditions just because we are a long-established store. We are more free-spirited and younger generations are encouraged to create new confectionary to match the times.<\/dd>\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
That sounds like a wonderful environment.<\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Yes. That is how the second CEO created the Fukiyose. Our third CEO was very artistic and drew the pictures on the cans. Then my father, the fourth-generation CEO, who was born after WW2 and grew up in an era when American culture massively flowed into Japan. Inspired by his frequent travels abroad, he devised the \u201cAgemanju (fried rice cake)\u201d sprinkled with macadamia nuts. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Using macadamia nuts at a Japanese confectioner is a truly novel idea. <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
It is our wish to have our customers taste it at its best, so we only sell the Agemanju at our store. Please try one while it is still warm. <\/dd>\n
Takashima <\/dt>\n
(taking a bite) Mmm. This is really delicious! The nuts are so crunchy and tasty! I love both fried rice cakes and macadamia nuts. This would also make a wonderful gift. <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Thank you. I am happy to have you say that.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
With your predecessors all having taken on new challenges, you must be under much pressure as the fifth-generation CEO. <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Yes. I have only been CEO for two years, and I have yet to decide what to do. With the Tokyo Olympics around the corner, I hope to refine the Japanese confectionary that we make now to represent Japan today and let more foreigners appreciate Japan. <\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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Remaining a special place decades later in Ginza, home to the best-established stores<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Please tell me about your passion for Ginza. <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Having just taken over the store, I have only started to attend gatherings of storeowners in Ginza during this past year. I hope to learn more about Ginza through interaction with senior members. Ginza is home to the best-established stores and I am determined to endeavor every day so that Ginza Kikunoya will always be listed among Ginza-based businesses. I would be more than pleased if we could still have a special place in Ginza a decade or two decades later. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
With new plans in view of the Tokyo Olympics. <\/dd>\n
Ida<\/dt>\n
Yes. Inspired by the Olympic Games, we have made available the \u201cTakara-zukushi Gorin Jiku (\u5b9d\u3065\u304f\u3057\u4e94\u8f2a\u6642\u7a7a),\u201d which is a set of five small cans of Fukiyose. It is a special product that comes in a custom-ordered treasure box and wrapped in a furoshiki. <\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is wonderful! <\/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

\n

Yuji Ida<\/h4>\n

Born in Tokyo in 1975. After being graduated from university, Ida joined Ginza Kikunoya. Following eight years working for the company, he worked as a system engineer for five years. In 2011, he became executive director and in 2014, he assumed the current position of CEO. Harnessing his experiences as engineer, he has promoted the introduction of information technologies. The online shop that he launched has been a successful addition. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Written by Hiroko Yoda; Place of interview: Ginza Kikunoya, Ginza main store<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"MUSE\u301c12<\/p>\n
\n
\"MUSE\u301c12<\/p>\n
\n

Released! A new album by Chisako Takashima 12 Violinists: MUSE -12 Precious Harmony-<\/h4>\n

Chisako Takashima 12 Violinists have released their first album in four years: MUSE -12 Precious Harmony-.
\nThis diverse album celebrates the 12 Violinists\u2019 tenth year with many classical numbers.
\nWith three original pieces, including \u201cSPLASH!!!,\u201d a novel number written and co-performed by Sukimaswitch, the album comprises twelve numbers. <\/p>\n

Click here for details, including information on individual numbers. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sorry, this entry is only available in Japanese.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6443,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6444"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6444"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6444\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}