Creating Culture: Volume Four

Hello, everyone.

My name is Ryo Tanaka, and I am the third generation president of Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide.

In this column, I will focus on talking about knives directly, their makers, and continue to discuss the keyword "creating culture."

Please read our previous columns too, if you are curious.

The weather has been unstable for quite some time, now.

I hope the typhoon did not cause too much ongoing damage.

Continuing from my last column, I will keep talking about "cultural consumption."

Here are more of my thoughts on cultural consumption.

1. There is a wider spread of disposable items

One day I heard someone say "Sustainability is already old news" and this shocked me.

In Japan, we often write "sustainability" in katakana (サステナビリティ) instead of kanji (持続可能). Yet, in recent years we have heard the word much more often.

This is due to the spread of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

When I hear "it's already old" concerning sustainability, I interpret it as "the word sustainability has lost its fresh impact."

The word "sustainability" has become ironic.

"Sustainability" is not sustainable, right?

Japanese knives have high regard worldwide. This is to the point where "santoku" is a word in English dictionaries.

Yet, they aren't always well cared for, even in Japan which is the backbone of this culture.

According to one study, 25% of households "sharpen their knives with a whetstone." Almost the same amount "does not maintain their knives at all."

A knife will become dull if not sharpened. This study indicates that knife purchases from general merchandise stores and chains are rising.

Culture (values and behavioral characteristics) is present in the objects around us.

General merchandise stores and chains have sprouted and flourished because we welcome them.

Of course, it is great to have the opportunity to buy good-looking items that function well for low prices.

This is thanks to designers. It's also due to global distribution networks and inexpensive labor.

But, is filling out spaces with "good-looking yet disposable goods" the rich life we aim for?

Thank you as always for reading.

Next time, I will talk about the third and last issue in cultural consumption.

Ryo Tanaka - 3rd Generation President
Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide