Congratulations on the 3rd year!
The person I'm with is Jun Katsumata

A new series on the Monosasu website: "Monosasu's Shichi-Go-San."

Just as we celebrate the milestones of our children, we want to celebrate the fact that Monosus members continue to work together! So, we take portraits to commemorate the 3rd, 5th, and 7th anniversaries of working at Monosus.

Photographer Kawase Kazue took photos of the third-year members who gathered at the Yoyogi office in Tokyo.

Today, I'd like to share with you some photos of Katsumata taken in his favorite alleyway, along with some of the conversation we had that day.

- You've been at Monosus for about three and a half years now.

That's right. I participated in the Kamiyama Monosasu Juku in September 2018, stayed in Kamiyama until November, and then moved to Yoyogi.

- If you were asked about something that left an impression on you, what would come to mind?

I gained a lot of experience working in the web industry, but the most memorable time was when I was at the cram school. I'd never lived under the same roof with nine other students before. I lived in the same room as Rei-san, with our futons on either side of the room. In the morning, I'd open the door and find Baba-chan sitting cross-legged and brushing his teeth. It was a strange sight, wasn't it? I'd only met him a month before.

- That sounds fun.

It was fun. Even just making dinner was like an event. I'll go shopping, then I'll prepare it here, but I might not be able to do it because I have some homework to do. I'd never had that kind of experience before, so it was really good.

- When we talked before, you said that you enjoyed spending time with your friends in the neighborhood. It seems like you like to have a lively time together.

I like being with people. Yes. I like that kind of thing.

- What kind of people live in your neighborhood?

I live in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, and I have many friends in the neighborhood who are involved in making things.

- The leather artist for whom Kawarazaki previously produced a video was also an acquaintance of Katsumata.

That's right. I have about 15 good friends, including him. Of those, only three of us, including me, are employed at a company, but we've all been talking about going independent this year.

- Is that so? Then you too, Katsumata-san.

I didn't collude with them, but I think I was influenced by them. I don't want to be an artist who creates something by myself, but I thought I'd try to do what I can as a freelancer. I think Monosus is also a company with a lot of freedom. I think it's because of my time here that I felt like I wanted to try doing it myself.

- Do you have an idea of what you'll be doing?

I like photography, so I am sometimes asked by acquaintances to take their photos. I also hold film camera workshops. Also, many of the artists around me like to make things, but they are not interested in how to sell them or how to spread the word about them. I sometimes consult with such people. I thought I could help them a little.

Also, the people at the restaurant where I often eat said they wanted to create something like a local media for Hiratsuka.

- Katsumata-san, you also had experience as a writer before coming to Monosus.

We talked about how it would be better to make something that would make the people living there happy, rather than something for tourism. Like which ramen shop is delicious, or what kind of people work at that dry cleaner's. Rather than someone just making it, I think it would be nice to make it in a way that everyone can work together on it.

- So you don't go independent by deciding on a role, like writer or designer.

It's easier to make money from functional roles, but I think there's value even in less obvious roles, like someone who can bring the mood together or create an environment where people can have fun.

I really like what Toyoshima Hideki said in a previous interview with Shogo. He said that instead of gathering people for a certain purpose, it's better to think about what you're going to do with the people who are gathered here now, with the people you're with. I think that makes more sense to me.

- I see. It looks like things will continue to move between people in the future.

I can't keep up with sports that you do alone, like running or surfing. I like playing with others, like soccer.

Speaking of which, I've recently started doing yoga. At first, I went to a class, but then I thought I'd like to do it with friends. I asked a nearby restaurant if I could use their free time, invited a teacher to Hiratsuka, and we all chipped in to do it. We don't make much profit, but we can all do yoga together, so it's okay.



Katsumata-san told me that he is taking a very positive approach to leaving Monosus. Even though he is not sure what the future holds, it was impressive to see him talk with such enthusiasm.

I hope I can do something together with the Monosus members that I love so much again. Thank you for your continued support!

You can see Katsumata doing warm-up exercises in a larger image.