Sanma Issue 50 I LOVE CLOTHES 服が好き

☞☞☞ Featuring a special pull-out photo spread, get your double-page exclusive shots of Masaki Suda. ✭ Foreword ✭ Ryuichi Tsuzuki, author of "Editor Outside the Circle" and a prominent figure in Japanese magazines, once said, "If I am to go to a place no one has been, of course, I cannot make plans or predict the situation there. Because of this, I can see things I've never seen before, and my journey is one that imitates no one." The title of this piece is: "Only Possible Because I Didn't Know." This journey brings us to the 50th issue of the magazine. I remember the eve of our launch, the editorial team gathered in a living room, each with pen and paper, brainstorming 50 topics for "Sanma": the Kohaku Uta Gassen, Showa era history, ramen soul, life hacks of Japanese housewives... a flood of over 50 aspirations to explore Japan. Along the way, we've fulfilled some of these propositions, and abandoned others as too far-fetched. Rather than following a map, we feel like we've been traveling with the "Magazine God," taking 10 years to reach this shore. "Sanma" is a bit willful; we avoid overly discussed topics, mainstream viewpoints, and content that too many people want to see. This goes against the golden rule of magazine sales. Yet, because of this character, our selection of themes for 50 issues has never been repeated. While we may not make a flashy splash in the market, our content remains timeless on the bookshelves of many Japanese culture enthusiasts. We aim to discuss not what's currently popular, but what becomes a lasting fascination and affection in a certain period of your life. "Obsessed with what you love" is the mantra we discovered in Japanese culture – becoming so captivated that you want to understand it completely, and in doing so, grow into your own form. Taoist wabi-sabi finds release in the Japanese spirit; American jazz finds a new soul in the Japanese music scene; American eclectic style creates world-changing fashion culture in Japanese trends. If we were to talk about the spirit of Japan across 50 issues, perhaps this summation would be the subtle yet profound essence of "style." It's not about fashion trends, but about the comfortable self you project before leaving the house each day, magically encompassing your spiritual symbols, musical tastes, and interests. Boldly wishing to capture the moment, "When you talk about style, it's that person!", after over a year of contact and coordination, we succeeded in photographing the actor and singer Masaki Suda at just the right time. His personal style record, "A History of Wearing," collects the fashion tastes of a performer and a clothing enthusiast. Masaki Suda's presence establishes a unique signature, with his acting and music creation carrying a slightly unconventional tone. As we flip through his history of personal wear and stage costumes, we gradually understand that his way of resonating with the world is to sincerely share everything he loves, integrating it into his clothing, the emotions of his performances, and the lyrics of his music. Ultimately, he's not a fleeting idol, but more like a warm artist. Perhaps this is "Sanma." We boldly interview buyers and brand directors who influence Japanese pop culture in our fashion features, discussing their gentle and ordinary daily dressing habits. You'll discover that the pinnacle of fashion comes from inner strength, a way of telling stories, and finding that one outfit that makes you look good even at 70, living comfortably. "Behind the scenes" captures the most precious moments from the production set. "Sanma," which has never featured celebrities on its cover, believes in not catering to anyone and choosing the most fitting individuals for its covers. Pushing open the Omotesando photo studio, Masaki Suda unpacked the suitcase he had prepared the night before for this vintage theme shoot, bringing his personal clothes, a cherished antique watch, and a heart eager to collaborate with the Taiwanese team. This sentiment is a gift from the 50th issue editors to themselves, and to you, our readers. We will continue to move forward in this way for the next 50 issues. ___________ ✭ Special Feature Theme ✭ Clothing is a language that precedes speech. Before language can arrive, it has already projected symbols to the world for us. It can carry messages about religion, gender, social status, and taste preferences, reflecting the individual's relationship with the world. Therefore, whenever we re-examine "What makes Japanese culture fascinating?", perhaps the stylish people on the streets already offer some answers or clues. As "Sanma" celebrates its 50th issue, we pull at this thread, weaving a tapestry of conversations with people who love clothes, to understand why Japan has mastered this language so profoundly. Among them is Masaki Suda, one of Japan's most influential actors and singers today, who loves vintage clothing so much that he visits vintage stores immediately after his tours. He considers studying vintage clothing a part of his daily routine, and he wears vintage pieces from different eras and styles, allowing his body to embody the roles he plays. Also deeply in love with clothes are the fashion buyers and brand directors who are always looking ahead and leading the pulse of trends – Takayuki Minami of Graphpaper, Atsushi Tani of IMA:ZINE, Yumi Sudo of NEPENTHES WOMEN, Yuthanan of Sillage, YUTA of F/CE., as well as vintage store owners Michihiko Kurihara of Mr. Clean and Monet of studiolab404. They refuse to conform to prevailing trends, leading Japan in constructing a more diverse aesthetic framework. Simultaneously, through BEAMS' Taiwanese and Japanese menswear buyers, Takehiko Suzuki and Eddie, we gain insight into buyers' procurement strategies and the differences in Taiwanese and Japanese perspectives. Finally, 71-year-old former fashion editor Jin Okamoto shares his current favorite items. Clothing is also a complex language. Although it engages only the sense of sight, it is embedded with rich cultural backgrounds and lifestyles. Through the eyes of these clothing lovers, we can get closer to this language and, in turn, touch upon a richer, deeper, and more captivating Japanese culture. ___________ 〖 Table of Contents 〗 ▌Cover Story Masaki Suda: I LOVE FURUGI ▌Wear Insight Takayuki Minami, PR Representative, Founder of Graphpaper Atsushi Tani, Representative of IMA:ZINE, Co-founder of Zepanese Club Yumi Sudo, Director of NEPENTHES WOMAN, Founder of RHODOLIRION Yuthanan, Founder of Sillage Monet, Owner of studiolab404 Michihiko Kurihara, Owner of Mr. Clean Yuta, Product Planning at F/CE., Buyer at ROOT Japanese Fashion Icons ▌Buyer’s Note More than Taste: What a Fashion Buyer Needs The Way of BEAMS Taiwan and Japan Buyers FRUiTS Magazine Special Snap Jin Okamoto's 4 Favorite Wears Their Closet CCC CHECKLIST!