niime 百科

Encyclopedia of niime

“We only focus on the concept:Is our creation good for the earth?”

That’s how Tamaki answered with a firm smile.
As they deliver the works of ‘tamaki niime’ all over the world, the concept that mass production and consumption will accompany them as the business grows reminds them of their influence upon the environment and life on this planet.

So I asked her how she came to this understanding, and how she came to this mindset and her focus on this new direction.

Tamaki

In July of last year, when we held a BBQ outside with the staff, we gave everyone the chance to speak their mind.

Sakai

Speak up and let us hear you! What goals do you want to accomplish?

Tamaki

Yes, like a segment on TV or Radio show; “Say what you want now!” When it finally came to my turn, I was wondering what I should say? I have fulfilled my quest to have Shop & Lab, which covers all of the steps of our creative process, and I was feeling a sense of accomplishment in that finally I had created my ideal environment, over the past ten years… I had achieved my goal… so what about the next ten years, is that all I am going to do? Where I was at that point, it was a horrible feeling… where should I go from here?
Of course, I have to keep the sales steady… how can I explain? I had a fraught with this unusual premonition…

– You mean, you had no idea how to motivate yourself?

Tamaki

I kind of lost my way… like I was in a tangle. Personally, I don’t want to be untrue to myself, for example, what if we would pressure someone who already had several of our pieces to procure more to just to make more sales? Then they would end up tossing them in a chest or throw them in the garbage without any benefit at all. I wonder if it would be alright.I kept contemplating. I believe that I create what I want to and that they are bought because they are quality…and not end up being garbage. Unlike food, the more I create, the more continue to abide.I have to reassess. Maybe we should not create that much.
Perhaps we should stop selling. And Sakai said, “Should we quit and end the company?” So I said “What?” lol…

Sakai

It is extreme.

Tamaki

Sakai said that if we follow the predacious capitalism just to keep lining our pockets as if we just keep shovelling out products without caring how they will end up, then we should quit. I didn’t want to do that, so what should we do? We reappraised…we wish our creations should be the implements with which to send our message that our works are not just expendable, single-use things, but that they are precious and to be used as such. If we can make a system where we introduce our works and sell them to many,little by little, that is exemplary.

Sakai

Your interest in veganism*; people who don’t even consume or use any animal products,triggered you to have a new interest in life on earth, didn’t it?

Tamaki

I had been very interested in yoga, but I hadn’t started yet until one of our staff who has been practising yoga taught it to me by chance. After I read some books of a yoga guru, I realised. Aha, that’s it! I have believed that everyone should be happy. If someone uses others as a stepping stone to his or her success, that is not the real happiness. It’s just someone’s concept of success.

– It was an awakening, correct?

Tamaki

Yeah. The idea that dragging down others to win the race, it’s just this notion of conflict between differing individuals amongst humanity. I became aware of that truth by reading her books. There are countless animals oppressed by humanity. So what have I been doing? I had been saying that equality is right or that peace is virtuous. As humans, we are the dominant species on earth…but this world is like…hell for the dogs or cows.

Tamaki learns that livestock is being overworked out of convenience for consumers through books and documentary films; in the livestock industry, tens of thousands of broiler chickens are confined and kept in the dark while being grown commercially, cows are repeatedly kept pregnant to enable them to be milked for efficiency, etc.
Tamaki’s heart ached when she started thinking about how many sheep would be needed if we use tons of wool for winter’s work.

Tamaki

I felt like I should have known better, so I watched more documentaries. At that moment I saw the harsh reality of how the cows are kept. Since I am the type of person who immerses myself in movies, I felt like I was already the cow!

– At that moment, you felt empathy for the cow.

Tamaki

I imagined myself as a cow…being impregnated and milked over and over… I thought it was a literal hell…there is no choice for such livestock, and their fate has been decided even before they were born. They remained like that the rest of their lives. They will be slaughtered and made into the meat when life ceased. I knew this fact, and I ate meat, but I ignored this fact out of convenience. I did not try to understand better. I did not appreciate the differing circumstances that animals endure so that we would have more comfortable lives.

Tamaki

I thought this was appaling and I was upset. I determined not to eat meat anymore because I felt horrible. If I can live in good health without losing the balance of my dietary habits, I think I should advocate it to others. As I read a variety of materials, I came to understand that many people are living the Vegan lifestyle, and they can live without taking animal proteins. Some articles say its healthier. Most people don’t know that, because the information is not openly available. If it is possible, I would like to try myself… it is kind an experiment. (laugh)

Sakai

Okay, you started a new one like you always do! (laugh).

Tamaki

Yes, again! I declared that I would stop eating meat from tomorrow. I quit smoking as well. Since this is an experiment using my own body, I can’t get the right results if I die of cigarettes. So I studied diets a lot by myself and then figured I should monitor what kinds of foods I eat. Also, I asked our staff to learn to cook delicious meals without meat; not only for vegans but to give non-vegans the opportunity to experience these appetising foods as well. Its a goal we will pursue.
– In conclusion, enjoyment of delicious food is an essential aspect of a meal.

Tamaki

“Yes, if we endure just like cows, even if we despair, if we continue to make an effort, it will not last, nor will the thought of it will be desirable. I think it would be hollow.
So we will enjoy delicious meals, but it won’t be a bother others. That’s our stance, so we will work hard to demonstrate that. That’s how we began, right?

Sakai

“You have had some moments living in the material world with some spiritual interests so far, but now you give priority to the importance of your inner world more than the material world. Tamaki is now that, reversed…from the way that the core of the inner portion and the existence of yourself in this vast universe…the means of expression has completely changed?

Tamaki

That’s right, it quickly changed my perspective.

Next time, based on Tamaki’s new awareness of food and change of inner self, Tamaki and Sakai will continue to talk about “Hara goshirae kai”; ‘tamaki niime’ meal trial which has just started this year.

Original Japanese text by Seiji Koshikawa.
English translation by Adam & Michiko Whipple.