Conde House Japan– Author –
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Fun Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Japan
【What we do for Christmas in Japan】 Almost all the cities are filled with Christmas decorations in this season, though the percentage of the Christian population is only 1% in Japan. As I wrote before, we are good at cream-skimming oth... -
How to Survive the World in the Era of Magic
【Many things are black-boxed to us】 Once upon a time, fortune-tellers, exorcists, or shaman offered prayers to forecast the weather, cure diseases, etc. That would look primitive, idyllic, and non-scientific to people today including m... -
The Zen of the Scoured Pot: Why Hard Work Still Tastes Better
Modern logic says anyone can be a chef with a good recipe, but the story of Kiyomi Mikuni proves otherwise. From scrubbing pots at the Imperial Hotel to becoming a global icon, join me as I explore the "illogical" beauty of hard work and the extraordinary Hokkaido restaurant where his philosophy—and our chairs—come together. -
The Sculptors in Uniform: Why Hokkaido’s Winter is a Fortress of Craftsmanship
What happens when you give a military unit a mountain of snow and a Disney manual? You get a miracle that defies market logic. Explore the deep connection between Hokkaido's vanishing railways, the "military-grade" snow art of Asahikawa, and why true craftsmanship can never be "rebuilt" once it's lost. -
The Prius Paradox: Why the Future Doesn’t Need Flying Cars
The 21st century didn't bring us flying cars or Hogwarts adventures, but it did bring us the Prius. Join me as I reflect on the emotional legacy of Osamu Tezuka, the day Hollywood stars rejected limos, and why I believe the furniture industry is heading for its own "Prius moment." -
Hokkaido vs. Other Ski Destinations: What Makes It Special?
【Real estate bubble in Niseko】 Ginza is the area in Tokyo well known as a luxury area. The above image (the thumbnail image) is Ginza 4th block's intersection. The area holds the highest land price record in Japan: about 500,000 USD/sq... -
From Soaked T-Shirts to Cosmic Latte: Why the Universe is Beige (and Why Our Showroom Matches It)
I begin with the humiliating question my 10-year-old sister posed: "Why do clothes look darker when wet?" (Answer: low optical reflectance.) This leads to the ultimate color question: What is the color of the universe? The answer, discovered 20 years ago, is beige—scientifically dubbed Cosmic Latte. Our shop coordinator recommended "greige" for our walls, but I have a superior, if useless, idea: "Grayish Cosmic Latte." After all, if the universe is beige, then our wooden furniture must be astronomically good. -
The Apollo 13 Paradox: Why Productivity is a Trap for the Soul
Society is obsessed with productivity, but I believe we’ve lost the plot. Join me as I discuss the "Lieutenant Dan" effect in Apollo 13, the myths surrounding Japan’s labor efficiency, and why the real value of our factory’s Kaizen activities isn't the time saved, but the human souls discovered in the process. -
The Art of Strategic Laziness: How to Survive a Japanese Onsen
In an onsen, everyone is equal because everyone is naked. Explore the fascinating history of how Japanese hot springs served as a sanctuary from social status and the "curse" of productivity. From Samurai "resetting" their souls to the art of the Yukata waddle, discover the ultimate way to spoil yourself. -
The Originality Paradox: Why Copying the Greats is the Only Way to Be Unique
My younger self thought wanting to be "unique" was a cliché. My boss taught me better. Join me as I explore why the greatest innovations—from Mozart’s melodies to ChatGPT—are actually "remixes" of existing ideas, why our brains are biologically wired to miss the obvious, and how CondeHouse uses a 1,500-year-old Japanese skill set to redefine modern furniture.