Binding Connections：YAMAGUCHI TOKYO
November 9, 2023
November 2023
On the calendar, it's autumn, but in Japan this year, the sun is still shining brightly.
This warmth, or rather, heat, is causing disruptions in the ecosystem, affecting not only humans but all living creatures.
I recently visited Tokyo after a long time. It was striking how many foreign tourists were present.
My destination was a restaurant named Yamaguchi Tokyo that opened in Roppongi this spring, operated by Mr. Yamaguchi.
Our connection dates back to when we worked at the same company, which managed a restaurant. Mr. Yamaguchi embarked on an independent venture, and in the spring of 2023, he successfully opened this establishment.
While I was the manager of the New York branch, Mr. Yamaguchi was the branch manager in Nishi-Azabu. I would occasionally keep in touch with Mr. Yamaguchi, and during my visits back to Japan, I enjoyed his culinary creations.
Before the opening of "I STILL AM," I had the pleasure of dining at Yamaguchi's restaurant in March of this year.
His extensive culinary experiences were concentrated into an array of dishes, and his commitment to not only food but also Japanese sake and wine carried over, creating an exciting atmosphere. I look forward to how he will continue to evolve in the future.
I received a delightful message from him recently, expressing his desire to use my ceramics at "YAMAGUCHI."
The restaurant where we previously worked also cherished connections with people, treating those we connected with as valuable companions. This invitation, too, is a product of such a connection.
Gratitude.
PS: I hope that my ceramics and Yamaguchi's hospitality will create a positive synergy of good connections.
Nov・2023