What was the background of joining Yom Co., Ltd.?

For Yom, there is a brand of baby gift gifts called MARLMARL, and I originally liked the worldview of it, so I gave it to a friend as a gift. Eventually, I learned about MATO... I really resonated with the company's philosophy, such as its purpose of ``bringing excitement into raising children'' and its vision of ``a society where people can freely design their own lifestyles for children.''

First of all, please tell us about your job as a designer. At what pace and in what flow will you proceed with your work?

We are currently planning next spring/summer. (*Editor's note: At the time of shooting, the end of July) Therefore, we finalize the plan, fix the design, and create specifications approximately eight months in advance. We proceed with production while checking the specifications with the factory and improving the accuracy of the product. In the case of MATO, we make about 6 or 7 types in one season.

I think if you add color variations to the seven molds, you'll end up with a pretty good pattern, but do you have a system where several designers allocate the patterns to create them?

Ah, no, I'm the only MATO designer right now (lol).
I think that in the industry, 7 types per season per designer is quite generous. So, instead of being pressed for time and thinking, ``I have to create some kind of design,'' I find it very attractive and rewarding to be able to think through each product and create it based on the idea of ​​``how useful it can be for raising children.''

It's an amazing world... Where do you get your ideas from?

We listen to actual parents and find out, ``Is there anything that can be done through the product to solve the problems that arise when raising children?'' We think about functionality, and then design the product from that point of view. For example, for this bathrobe, we wanted it to be something that moms who have to prioritize taking care of their children after taking a bath can just throw on, so we used the same water-absorbing and quick-drying material used in sports towels.

Actually, this one has a bust band. For breastfeeding mothers, blood flow improves during bathing, and breast milk may come out more easily after bathing. I myself had a problem at the time, but it was difficult to take care of my child while breastfeeding after taking a bath. I think many people wear a nursing bra or breast pads, but so that you don't have to do that, we've added elastic that allows you to adjust the underbust area, and you can just fasten the front hook so you can move around right away.

This is a very thoughtful product based on your own experience. This looks like a great postpartum gift for moms.

I would be happy if you could use it for such purposes. I think it would also be good as a push gift (*editor's note: a gift given mainly by fathers to mothers to express their feelings of support during childbirth).
Before a product is completed, we have in-house members try it out many times, make repeated adjustments, and keep in touch with the staff at the sewing factory, working hard to improve the accuracy of our products. We are very grateful to the factory workers who work with us on product production.

It's not a job where you create a design and then finish it, but rather see the final output. What tools do you use to design?

Oh, it's handwritten!

Handwritten! ? Does that mean you're using a pen tablet?

Oh, no. Really pen to paper. I wake up whatever is on my mind. So, the things on my desk are amazing...lol

Amazing. Have you always liked drawing?

I agree. When I was young, I learned how to draw, and I remember that my teachers and parents praised me a lot. I think this experience was one of the reasons why I fell in love with manufacturing.
My parents didn't deny what I said they wanted to do and let me do whatever I wanted. I even went on to high school to be able to make lacquerware (lol). When I said, ``I want to learn how to make clothes,'' she gave me two answers and supported me.

That's a great educational policy. Is there anything you keep in mind when interacting with your child?

After all, I try not to deny it as much as possible. When a child says, ``I want to do something,'' it's like, ``Okay, just do it.'' Currently, I'm playing the koto and violin, which I suddenly wanted to do for some reason. Maybe it's because I started it myself, but I've continued without ever saying I'd stop.

Your child is now 12 years old, and his contact with friends and society has increased, and his relationship with his parents is likely to be changing. Do you have a vision of what you want to be as a parent from now on?

I am very grateful that I am now able to do what I love as a job. There's a lot of stimulation and it's a lot of fun, but to be honest, working while raising a child can be difficult at times.
When I'm having a hard time, I don't even bother to complain in front of my kids, saying things like, ``Ah, it's so tough!'' On the other hand, the other day I took them to the MATO shop in GINZA SIX and boasted, ``My mom made this,'' and that's how I let it all out.
So, what can I say... Even though things like that can be difficult, I want my children to see me working hard to raise my children and work while having fun and finding it rewarding.
It may be boring, but I want them to see that kind of lifestyle and grow into people who can face hardships and overcome hardships if they have something important to do or a dream they want to achieve.

This is an annual event, but please show me any mementos you have with your child.

When I was in third grade, she suddenly gave me one on Mother's Day. I had never received one before. I haven't received it since then, so I'm like, ``Give it to me every year'' (lol).
I've heard that children's self-esteem will increase if they display something they like, rather than putting it away, so I've been displaying it all the time.

Also, when it comes to memories with my children, there is one habit that I am proud of. I'm the type of person who doesn't even keep track of my child's growth in the maternal and child handbook, but I only write letters on my child's birthdays. Only once a year, write a long, serious text. I am writing about various thoughts. Also, things like, ``I was able to do this this year.'' So, instead of giving it to him, he took it. 12 letters in 12 years now. I'm thinking of passing this on once I turn 20.

It's really good. The one that definitely makes me cry....

I feel like crying talking about it myself...lol
I don't know what you think.

Lastly, please tell us the message you would like to send through your brand and what you would like to achieve.

There are many difficult things in raising children, and there is no right answer. When my children are small, I think that every time I go through something like that, I get really worried and think, ``It's so hard.'' But when I look back on it now that my child is 12 years old, I realize that, even with all the hardships, it was a fleeting time that passed in an instant and will never come back. Because there is no right answer when it comes to raising children, there are many possibilities, and I think it would be better if we could value the joy of raising children more than getting caught up in the pursuit of the right answer.
In the end, everything that parents do while raising their children while valuing their own identity, style, and fashion is conveyed to their children. I hope everyone is like that.

Lately, we have been hearing and seeing negative opinions about raising children, both from the younger generation around us and from information such as social media. I think it's a fact that it's a part of the times, and that there are some difficult times...but not only that, children have a huge amount of energy and bring us a lot of happiness. I feel like I can pass on these wonderful aspects of child-rearing to the next generation.
MATO aims to create a ``society where people can freely design their own lifestyles with children,'' while supporting people raising children.As a designer, I want to continue creating products and opportunities to get excited about raising children.