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We found writer Otsuichi wearing Shin Sobue’s “Akahara T-shirt” from last years T-1 on an interview article on Da Vinci magazine July issue.
Why the “Akahara T-shirt”? Otsuichi?
Our crew set out for an interview!
Sobue joined our crew later on, and their talk goes on to this year’s T-1 WORLD CUP…
The “poetic” words of a writer and the “inspirational” words of a book cover designer meet and create a world only they can create!
| ── |
Why were you wearing Sobue’s t-shirt in your interview? |
| Otsuichi |
My friend wrote an article on T-1 in the magazine “Invitation”, and he told me about the project. I didn’t know about it till then. |
| ── |
Uh huh |
| Otsuichi |
Sobue’s design of the winding thing inside the ear caught my eye… |
| ── |
The Sanhan (ear canal) t-shirt! |
| Otsuichi |
Yes, it really got me. I ended up buying the Sanhan T-shirt and Tom’s blue t-shirt (TOM-2006-iPod), the winner of last year. |
| ── |
Did you! |
| Otsuichi |
Sobue became the designer of the cover for my new novel “Guns and Chocolates”, so I wore his t-shirt to our meeting. When he saw me wearing his t-shirt, he gave me his other design, the Akahara t-shirt. I decided to wear it to all the interviews on my new novel. |
| ── |
That answers our question! But you two hadn’t met at the point you bought the Sanhan t-shirt, right? |
| Otsuichi |
Not at all. Of course I knew his name, but I hadn’t met him in person yet. When I actually got to meet him, I was a bit nervous. He’s such a famous figure. But actually, he was nice. I’m really glad he was a nice person |
| ── |
(laugh) Actually, he’s a really funny guy. |
| Otsuichi |
Yes, totally. |
| ── |
Why did you choose Sanhan t-shirt last year? |
| Otsuichi |
Well… Maybe it looked a bit awkward. At first I thought it was a snail. But then I read that the theme for the design was “a t-shirt to go with iPod”, and I understood his design. I liked the mismatching combination of the realistic illustration and the pleasant colors. |
| ── |
The Sanhan t-shirt is printed with four different colors. The patterns are printed overlaying each other, rotated by 90, 60 and 45 degrees in angle. This creates the complex colors of this t-shirt. Even the craft workers couldn’t guess the overall image while printing. Sobue’s deep knowledge and experience on printing enables a design like this. |
| Otsuichi |
Yes, I didn’t expect this Akahara t-shirt to be so complex either. The ink being foamy, everything is so thought out in detail. |
| ── |
Sobue scanned the bubbles made by shampoo or something and used it as the design for that foamy part. |
| Otsuichi |
Is that so! |
| ── |
Yes. That’s why the bubbles look so real. |
| Otsuichi |
Scanning shampoo bubbles… I see… wow. |
| ── |
We heard that someone saw Sobue scanning cast-off shells of cicadas. Lots of them. |
| Otsuichi |
Really? By the way, with this pattern of the lizard skin on my stomach, it reminds me of some tribal tradition…. Or when I go out on my midnight jogging wearing this, I feel like a lizard running around the city! |
| ── |
(laugh)
How was it working with Sobue? |
| Otsuichi |
He’s really into details. The cover for my novel “Guns and Chocolates” is like a package of expensive chocolate. It’s like you can use it as an interior decoration ornament. I was surprised, and am very happy. |
“Guns and Chocolates” by Otsuichi (Kodansha)
| ── |
Did you tell Sobue your ideas or concepts for this design? |
| Otsuichi |
No, not this time. I told the illustrator my image of the illustration. Sobue probably read my novel, got the illustration, and designed this. |
| ── |
A book cover designer has become a T-shirt designer also…. |
| Otsuichi |
He can put himself in totally different worlds. By the way, I’m still amazed at the story of scanning the shells of cicadas… |
| ── |
Which one of the 24 t-shirts do you think will win? |
| Otsuichi |
Let me see… This typography t-shirt is eye catching. What does the 104.5 degrees stand for? The tilt of the earth’s axis? |
| ── |
Well… we can’t give you the answer. Solving the quiz is part of the design. It’s supposedly a very important angle for us. |
| Otsuichi |
I need to figure out the answer. |
| ── |
How do you like Sobue’s design this year? |
| Otsuichi |
It’s very chic. It’s like Japanese lacquer craft. Very nice. very cool. |
| Sobue |
Hi guys! |
| ── |
Hi Sobue! |
| Sobue |
Sorry I’m late. Long time no see. How’ve you been doing? Otsuichi? |
| Otsuichi |
I’m doing great. Thank you again for the great work. |
| ── |
Sobue’s wearing the Sanhan t-shirt! |
| Otsuichi |
I’m glad I chose the Akahara t-shirt. |
| Sobue |
Don’t worry, I brought my Akahara t-shirt also, just in case you happen to choose the Sanhan t-shirt! |
| All |
So well prepared! |
| ── |
We hear that many people tell him what a nice t-shirt he’s wearing, when he’s wearing the Akahara t-shirt. |
| Otsuichi |
It stands out, you know. I usually do a lot of logical calculation when writing a novel, but when I wear this t-shirt, I feel like I can write in a more wild and animalistic way. |
| Sobue |
Yes! Wild and animalistic is the word. |
| Otsuichi |
Having a reptile patterned stomach like this it’s like a tribal painting done when going out hunting. I feel like I’ve become a lizard. |
| Sobue |
I have to interrupt… It’s a newt, an amphibian. It’s a Cynops Pyrrhogaster. |
| All |
(laugh) |
| ── |
We were just saying that your design this year is really chic! |
| Otsuichi |
I really like it. It’s like the universe. |
| Sobue |
Thank you! Last year’s t-shirts were pretty high spirited, so this year I decided to create a “requiem t-shirt”. I hope a lot of people would want to wear it. |
| ── |
By the way, which t-shirt do you think will win? |
| Sobue |
Mine, of course!
But if it weren’t mine… this one, maybe? (Points at Kashiwa Sato’s JPNAA)
|
| ── |
Can you please choose some t-shirts for the readers? |
| Sobue |
Okay… If I were to buy one, I would choose this （Blue Baby）！
But actually, I would choose my t-shirt! |
| ── |
Ur… okay. Please advertise your t-shirt. |
| Sobue |
Sure! First of all, it’s really black! |
| All |
(laugh) |
| Sobue |
This black is a black that glows! The lines draw the midnight pool. See the shimmers of the water surface? I drew this with a ball point pen you know. |
| Otsuichi |
It’s very different when you look at it close. |
| Sobue |
The good thing about this t-shirt is that you can wear it to a party or on funeralistic occasions too! |
| ── |
Funeralistic occasions…?? |
| Sobue |
A t-shirt can become a foundation for communication. It’s like saying “this is who I am!” But this t-shirt, the “sleeping fish”, is a bit different. There’s a hidden concept to it, “communicating with yourself”. |
| Otsuichi |
Really? It does have a certain “quiet feeling” to it. |
| Sobue |
It’s a dream of a goldfish. A fish that doesn’t blink is dreaming, sleeping in a large deep pool. Not in a small aquarium, but in a pool. You can become a home for the goldfish, and you want to make sure they have a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Wear this, and become a pool for them. The two goldfish are sleeping, so it’s good to move quietly for them. This is a t-shirt for taking some time to get in touch with yourself, or when you want to be quiet and feel the sound of the wind. |
| ── |
Yourself becoming a pool. What an amazing idea. There’s a note of death in the air. |
| Sobue |
Yes, yes. “Death” exists, and that is why “life” exists. By the way, the dream is the dream of the small goldfish on the tag. It’s a nice t−shirt, a mellow one. Try it on! |
Thank you very much! We can’t wait to see the results!
So that is what the truth of this t-shirt was.
Remember to check out Otsuichi’s t-shirt on his interviews!
The new novel by Otsuichi, “Guns and Chocolates”, which the cover design was done by Sobue, is on sale in bookstores now. You can purchase the book on Amazon.com also.
2006/7/6
When we went to deliver Tsuguya Inoue’s sample t-shirt, Tsuguya Inoue was talking about Jun Miura. He was telling us what a great guy he is, and he’s even recommendating Miura’s books to people around him!
Jun Miura is the author for our column “Jun no Ongaeshi“, and is an old friend of Shigesato Itoi.
“How about asking Jun Miura to model for you t-shirt?” we proposed.
Inoue’s answer: “That would be great!”
So there we go! We went to meet Jun Miura!
| ── |
Hi, thank you today for becoming a model for out t-shirt today. |
| Miura |
I thought I was going to become a t-shirt! I was wondering why Hobonichi was going to sell t-shirts with my face on it. |
| ── |
What? (laugh)
We wouldn’t do something like that without asking your permission, Miura! But even if we were planning something like that, it’s surprising you would accept such a strange offer! Actually, we came here today to ask you to wear Tsuguya Inoue’s t-shirt for this year’s T-1 WORLD CUP. |
| Miura |
Oh I see. I did think it was a bit strange but I thought I was going to be the icon or something. What’s T-1 by the way? |
| ── |
It’s a t-shirt world championship where 24 designers from around the world compete by selling their t-shirts designed for this game. |
| Miura |
I remember Itoi saying “Miura, t-shirts are going to be ‘in’ from now”. Tsuguya Inoue is the designer for RC Succession’s CD cover jackets, right? |
| ── |
That’s right. He’s telling everyone around him how great you and your work are. He’s even hanging out your book “Yurukyara no Hon” to designers around him. |
| Miura |
Really? Wow. I should be wearing his t-shirt. Okay, I’ll go and change quick.
(As he stands up, he notices Stefan Sagmeister’s t-shirt)
Why is John Lenon on the tag of that t-shirt? |
| ── |
We brought it since you’re a John Lenon lover. |
| Miura |
The design on that shirt is a bit different… It’s… |
| ── |
Bingo! This t-shirt has the wrinkles of the t-shirt on his portrait. |
| Miura |
Oh… Maybe you didn’t need to do that. (laugh) I think it’s better just to have it simple!
I have the same t-shirt as John’s, but the logo in white, and the t-shirt in black.
Is a Japanese the designer of that t-shirt? |
| ── |
No, it’s done by Stefan Sagmeister. He did the design for the cover jacket of the Rolling Stones album. |
| Miura |
The Stones. I designed two of the tour t-shirts for the Rolling Stones. I should’ve showed it off to Itoi about it more. |
| ── |
You look good in it! |
| Miura |
Really? Personally I think white t-shirts become harder to wear as you grow older. Black t-shirts, you can sort of cover yourself up. |
| ── |
Not at all! You look great in it! By the way, we heard that Tusguya Inoue checks your media coverage, and he said that the article on “Switch” the other day was great. |
| Miura |
Really? Thanks! |
| ── |
Can we ask a few questions while wearing that t-shirt? |
| Miura |
Sure. |
| ── |
(Showing the list of t-shirts)
The design for year’s T-1 WORLD CUP is “the t-shirt of your country”, and 24 designers from 13 countries are the contestants. |
| Miura |
There’s no twist to it, is there? |
| ── |
Uh… you think so? |
| Miura |
Nope, no twist. But that’s what’s good about it!
I don’t want to wear a t-shirt with a twist to it. A t-shirt with a twist to it has a strong statement; it’s like walking around advertising that opinion. Actually, I used to design lots of t-shirts like that. |
| ── |
I see. (laugh) |
| Miura |
I wondered why nobody really wore the t-shirt I designed. I think there’s too much of my statement in it. I designed a lot of t-shirts that weren’t worn…. T-shirts shouldn’t be too loud. These t-shirts here, they all think about the people who sell the t-shirts, and about the people who wear them. |
| ── |
The winner of the T-1 WORLD CUP is the t-shirt that sells the most. |
| Miura |
I see. Are you taking photos of every t-shirt, worn by somebody? |
| ── |
Well, for Tsuguya Inoue’s t-shirt, we were looking for someone who would look good in it, and we came up with you. |
| Miura |
Tsuguya Inoue is about the same age as Itoi, right? |
| ── |
I think he’s a bit younger that Itoi. |
| Miura |
Are you sure he hasn’t mistaken me for someone else? |
| ── |
No, no, definitely not! |
| Miura |
Really? Then I would love for him to design a t-shirt with my photo wearing this t-shirt on it. |
| ── |
(laugh) |
| Miura |
I thought that was the concept. I thought everyone was wearing a t-shirt with my picture on it. I thought Itoi came up with a strange idea. I thought it was a surprising project of a “t-shirt that you wouldn’t want to wear”. |
| ── |
If we were to do something like that, we would’ve asked for your permission beforehand. |
| Miura |
I was happy about it. I thought Itoi got in a good mood and started saying “Let’s make a t-shirt with Miura”. |
| ── |
Without asking your permission (laugh) |
| Miura |
So I got psyched up, and gave my hair a treatment so that I would look nice. |
| ── |
Sorry about the miscommunication (laugh)
Do you find any t-shirt you think would look good on a particular person? |
| Miura |
A t-shirt that would look good on a particular person… How about Aki Hoshino (pin-up girl) for Stefan’s t-shirt? The logo of NEW YORK CITY is crumpled, but it’s stretched out on her breasts. |
| ── |
That is an answer difficult to respond for us… but it does draw interest. |
| Miura |
I don’t design t-shirts with a motif on the right of left chest. I put the design in the middle. Are there t-shirts with prints on the back? |
| ── |
There is no t-shirt with only a print on the back, but there are t-shirts with prints on the back. |
| Miura |
I don’t like t-shirts with only prints on the back. I feel like I’ve been written something on the back without me noticing. |
| ── |
I see (laugh) |
| Miura |
But all of these t-shirts are designed thinking of people who wear them. Maybe thinking too much about them. |
| ── |
Which t-shirt do you think will win? |
| Miura |
So the general public is to choose the winner, right? I’m like a spokesperson for the general public! People will buy these t-shirts, right? |
| ── |
Yes. |
| Miura |
The fabric is nice and heavy duty. Is it a bit expensive? |
| ── |
It’s 5200 yen. There’s a lot of readers who haven’t made up their minds on which t-shirt to buy. Can you give them some recommendation? |
| Miura |
Are you sure you want my recommendation? Wouldn’t it have the opposite effect? |
| ── |
We’re sure it will work as a recommendation. (laugh) |
| Miura |
5200 yen, right? I would come up with thoughts like t-shirts with more color would be worth the price. 5200 yen… worth about 3 records. |
| ── |
I see |
| Miura |
… Isn’t the color for Ayumi Ohashi’s t-shirt Samurai Blue for the national soccer team? Isn’t this what everybody wants no? Am I right? |
| ── |
We’re sorry we can’t tell you the results. Which t-shirt would you like to buy? |
| Miura |
As for me, I would want to buy Akiyama’s t-shirt. The other t-shirts, there’s a concept to it, so people will be asking questions about it. I don’t want to be bothered being asked questions… I would have to answer some bits of knowledge on the Beatles if I were to wear the John Lenon t-shirt. |
| ── |
I see… (laugh) |
| Miura |
Out of all these t-shirts, I like Akiyama’s t-shirt the best. Well, to be honest, maybe I haven’t fully understood this project… |
| ── |
Th…Thank you! (laugh) |
We were so drawn into the “Jun Miura World”, that we almost forgot we were there to have him model for the t-shirt. We left the office with a proposal for a strange new “Jun Miura WORLD CUP”.
He said that he doesn’t look good in a white t-shirt, but don’t worry, you look great!
Thank you again!
2006/7/6
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