niime 百科

Encyclopedia of niime

Tamaki

From the beginning of 2020, we have decided to do away with overtime.

Sakai

Yeah.

Tamaki

Since yesterday.

——That’s the first “niime” reformation for this year.

Tamaki

We have been trying to reduce overtime and encouraging our staff to go home early. Actually, I enjoyed creating and didn’t like limiting working hours to complete my creation. Because I was stressed out if I had to work in certain limited hours. However, I realized not everyone likes to work like me. Even for me, I made excuses to work anytime because I live next to the lab, which made me feel unclear and caused a lack of concentration. So I made up my mind to schedule working hours.

Sakai

Yeah.

Tamaki

There are different type of workers in our company. If we expect them to work efficiently, we need to give them some pressure.

——I understand.

Tamaki

So we let them use only eight hours a day: a trial to make their best result in a limited time. And we actually did it yesterday.

——That was a new experiment, correct?

Tamaki

Our new daily routine is we greet at morning and evening meetings. All of our staff gather in the morning and have to say something. At the end of the day, each one makes comments on how the day was before going home. I felt that the new system united us with how we felt about making things together, even if we started it only yesterday, I felt it helped us achieve our balance.

——You let them express how they feel.

Tamaki

Before that, only team leaders spoke as the representative of each team. Others who didn’t speak looked spaced-out. I thought, expressing how they should spend their day in the morning is important. And we let them speak out if they accomplish their goals within limited time and review the reasons why they couldn’t make it. Expressing themselves is better. We have been trying that in each group, however I have reconsidered if it may be better to let each individual do it. Each one sets a goal for the day and have them try to accomplish it. Each one’s accomplishments of routine assignments would give plenty of benefits to each team and the company, after all.

——Expressing their opinions by speaking out is nice, isn’t it?

Tamaki

Yeah, it is crucial.

——At the beginning and the end of the day. It helps them to gain awareness and responsibility. Also they wouldn’t keep their thoughts inside.

Tamaki

The staff are not very good at expressing their opinions. I think it is a good idea to make a habit of speaking up. There are a lot of times they have to talk outside of the company. It is vital to speak in front of other people.

——I watched your YouTube channel “tamaki niime’s daily life”, which started yesterday, and learned Ms.Tamaki is not centring herself. As she challenges how to inspire creativity within each staff who has a different style and personality in creation.

Tamaki

That is right.

——Adding to that challenge, you set eight-hour limits.

Tamaki

No one is the same.

Everyone is different. Some people may want to work little by little, others may want to finish up at once. I think the most critical point is how our staff has awareness in making one item together and uses their limited time efficiently. In achieving that point, setting certain limits may work, and we let them work to get the best results. By using regulations and keep sharing those rules, I’m sure it’ll help to get the best results. ——Ummmm. I see.

Tamaki

Even I was motivated by that idea.

Sakai

Yeah.

Tamaki

For the first time in a while… yesterday evening, there was no one in the lab, right?

Sakai

Yeah.

Tamaki

So, I started a loom there.

——You wanted to use it as you like because no one was there?

Tamaki

I was asked to use the power loom for shoot, however, I touched it just for the request. I haven’t used it for creation. I haven’t made any “conversations” with it for a long time.

——You mean, you haven’t talked to it?

Tamaki

I didn’t have to pay attention to a camera even in the shoot. I could talk to the loom in the quiet time. I could renew myself in many ways.

——You could form a close connection to the machine after such a long time.

Tamaki

The loom tells me different ways.

——Is that your unique creations with Ms. Tamaki’s hands…

Tamaki

I’ve got to be there.

——You mean you’ve got the sense back.

Tamaki

Yes! That’s it. It reminded me of many things. “Oh, you want me to do this? I got it! I will do it this way.” I had a conversation with the loom after such a long time. I was so happy…I noticed I wanted to touch it regularly.

——Do you think you have ‘sealed’ it?

Tamaki

Yeah, I believed I should have my staff work with the looms. I didn’t think I should do it. Because they can do it. I knew people who work with looms need to feel a connection with them. I didn’t want to interfere with them. But I was hoping my staff could have that conversation. Unexpectedly, having conversations with looms is not as easy as I thought, huh? (laugh)

——How about showing yourself weaving with looms to your staff?

Tamaki

Indeed. What I discussed at the morning meeting was I had so much fun communicating with looms. And I would like to try out more there, and need my staff to be aware of “that”.

——What is “that”?

Tamaki

You may not understand what I’m talking about. The staff tend to separate work into sections; such as designers should only design, or production should only take care of productions. Probably because they want to organize them into each task.

——Ummmm…

Tamaki

However, they can design while they are taking care of productions. That’s more our style of creation.

——Creation means all in one. There are no borders in making things.

Tamaki

Words cannot explain the process of creation. The fascination of creation is that you find out as to reach the final creation after many trials.

Sakai

Yeah.

——You could have the best part of creation; live atmosphere.

Tamaki

If our teams can get “that creation”, there is nothing to worry about.

——I’m sure that will make it more alive and interesting.

Tamaki

I think that is the best way I can be an example for my staff. I will enjoy working. I was thinking of trying Denim this time.

——At the last interview, you mentioned you wanted to challenge yourself, without caring for the staff.

Tamaki

I don’t care.

Sakai

Yeah.

——How about you, Mr Sakai? What do you think of the idea of trying everything without limit?

Tamaki

(To Sakai) How about you?

Sakai

Hmmm. Actually, I haven’t worked regular hours, 8 to 5 (o’clock). I could respond to people whenever they come to ask me anything. If they ask me for my approval, I try to find a common understanding, edit and give my consent. I let my staff decide their goals. That’s how I handle my role.

——I see.

Sakai

I always want access to limitless possibilities.

——I think you do.

Tamaki

Do you remember what I said the other day?

Sakai

What was it?

Tamaki

At the final party (job-well-done party) of “Medetama”, I said it is our shame not to use this old guy. We shouldn’t waste his talent.

——Absolutely

Tamaki

In conclusion, he doesn’t like an eight-hour workday, even though he doesn’t say it. Do you get it?

continued –


Ms. Tamaki mentioned they are going to have a plan this year: “Have Mr Sakai work more.” Not only Tamaki but also all their staff need to draw from Sakai’s huge unlimited potential. How do they make use of his talent in “tamaki niime” creation? I feel Ms. Tamaki’s impatient feelings from her comment on the displeasure of not fully making use of Sakai’s skill and expertise. Please look forward to the next one.

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