I love playing in nature and want to have more fun. These thoughts and ideas create new products and value. [Creator Series] This time, we will introduce a new type of snowshoe created by professional snowboarder Takayuki Nakamura. What is the thought behind "KANJIKI"?
KANJIKI - Snowshoes
Kanjiki - It's easy to read. Kanjiki. It's exactly what everyone imagines: a traditional Japanese tool made of bamboo or wood for walking on snow. In Japan, kanjiki have long been an important tool for daily life in snowy regions, as well as for hunting, agriculture, forestry, and mountain worship. However, in modern times, the need for kanjiki has been met by snowshoes imported from overseas
One snowboarder wondered, "Why is that?" His name was Takayuki Nakamura. He is a professional snowboarder, a brand founder, and now a craftsman who operates industrial sewing machines
This is what I want to live off of: The path to becoming a professional
"Everything about snowboarding is so surreal. With just one board, a person can move freely in the snowy mountains of Mother Nature. The chairlift is like an aerial walk attraction, and when you ski through powder snow in the backcountry, you get the feeling that you're floating in the air. I always think that there is no other sport quite like this, and you can never experience that with anything else."
Nakamura has been following in his older brother's footsteps since junior high school.
"I was so captivated by snowboarding that I always strongly wanted to become famous in the snowboarding world and make a living in this industry. From the age of 18, I trained at a specialized school called JWSC in Myoko, aiming to become a professional rider. My brother also went to that school and became a SALOMON pro. I followed in his footsteps, and around the age of 20, I got a sponsor and became a pro."
However, I wanted to improve myself a bit more as a professional, so when I was about 23, I went to Banff, BC, Canada and lived there for a year. Around that time, I won a local contest. I think that was the happiest memory I had as a competitor. When I returned to Japan, I received offers to appear in snowboarding movies, and from there I started to shift towards expressive activities that involved showing people my performances."
At the time, Nakamura's riding and style were so highly regarded that he had segments in two films by the movie production company "Sclover."
Launched apparel brand "BREW"
After that, Nakamura was asked if he wanted to try producing an apparel brand that could be worn both on snowboards and in town, and that's how he started the brand "BREW." He came up with the designs himself and handled everything from managing the production process to exhibitions, running the e-commerce site, and tagging the products. BREW attracted fans thanks to Nakamura's unique sensibility, and it became a popular brand that also sold wholesale to major Murasaki Sports and pro shops
"I'm the type of person who likes to do everything on my own, so I ended up getting too busy. Around that time, I started appearing on a TV show called Terrace House, and things around me started to change. I was getting all kinds of work, but it became difficult to continue the brand while doing that."
When COVID-19 hit around 2021, he stopped wholesaling and downsized to just operate on an e-commerce website. "I felt like the world was shifting gears, and I thought this was my chance to take the next step," he says
Why isn't it in snowy Japan?
"At that time, I was thinking about buying new snowshoes. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, logistics had come to a halt worldwide, and there were no products available. That's when I felt something was off. I realized that most snow gear was imported
Japan is one of the snowiest countries in the world, and life is closely linked to snow. That's why I wondered why there weren't any Japanese snowshoe brands. That's where it all began. If there weren't any, I thought I could make one myself and take my activities to the next level. I thought that if there was something that could be used by people who hunt in snowy regions, people who have to go into the mountains for work or inspections, and people who work in snowy regions, it could be useful and would make a lot of people happy, so I decided to start in 2022
This is how Nakamura began to pour his passion into creating Japan-made snowshoes
The aim of KANJIKI
This is how the brand "KANJIKI" was born, and this is the masterpiece that they put their heart and soul into
"Japanese mountains are rural areas, so there are many opportunities for direct climbing and many streams. I thought that a design that allows you to dig your toes into the snow and climb powerfully would be more suitable for Japanese mountains. With traditional snowshoes, the toes are curved up, making it difficult to climb directly
The ones I make have toes that look like hooves, so they can stick their toes firmly into the slope and run up it
The ribs on the inside are shaped so that they fit together at the front and back, making the snowshoes one with your feet, and allowing you to move lightly as if you were running on the snow."
For those who don't normally use snowshoes, it may be hard to imagine what it's like just by looking at the words. I highly recommend watching this Instagram video, which clearly shows Kanjiki's unique movements
Its main features include its ease of putting on and taking off. It folds up quickly and is extremely fast to store. It's thin, so it can be stored in a backpack. And while overseas models weigh 800g or even 1kg, these are surprisingly light at just 530g per foot. You won't even feel the weight when walking or skating. They're also highly durable, and the resin they're made of won't crack, even in the coldest of conditions
It can be used with any size snowboard boots. If you're using snow boots like Sorel, you can just lower the position of the clasp by one hole (it can be easily replaced with a nut and bolt), and you can also use regular winter shoes
In addition, there's this advantage:
"Since I'm running this personally, if there are any shortages or problems, I can immediately send parts, repair things, and provide detailed support. I believe that being able to sincerely and quickly provide support to customers is a strength."
I'm glad I didn't give up
But the road to release wasn't easy
"KANJIKI is made from resin, but I knew absolutely nothing about resin, so I visited a factory in Tomioka, Gunma, and asked them to make something like this. I thought there must be a material that could withstand the cold and wouldn't break even if someone stood on it. But the first sample I waited for broke easily on snow and was slippery; it was a complete failure. It was really heartbreaking
It was there that I first learned that there are many different types of resin and different blends. I am truly grateful to the factory that helped me out
When I finally finished making the product, my friends said it was really good, but I was increasingly worried about whether there would actually be a demand for it."
But then, when people saw my friends hiking with KANJIKI, they started asking, "What's that?" and before I knew it, word spread. To my delight, I had already started to wholesale to shops even before I started selling on my own e-commerce site. All my worries were blown away, and so many people immediately wanted them. It was like I was saved after two years of hard work, and I felt so glad that I'd done it. ...I cried (laughs). I'm so glad I didn't give up
When things weren't going well, my wife saw me getting depressed and helped me with the assembly work, quietly cheering me on. My colleagues also encouraged me. I realized how many people had supported me, and how lucky I am... I was filled with gratitude."
I want to fight head-on
We asked about the meaning behind the name "KANJIKI."
"We wanted a name that's easy to understand, like KANJIKI, and we wanted to compete head-on with something truly Japanese. For example, Japanese mountains have more trees than those overseas, and the beauty of the broadleaf forests, where tree runs are so enjoyable, is unique. People who ski in Japan have a high level of skill in reading the terrain and have a wealth of knowledge about the mountains. The skills of Japanese riders have improved tremendously and are in no way inferior to those overseas. We want Japanese people to know more about the coolness and tradition of Japan through our products."
Next, I asked, "Who would you like to use this?"
"Of course, snowboarders in the backcountry, or if you find a good slope by the roadside, you can quickly climb up and enjoy a smooth ride. I'd be happy if not only snowboarders, but also people who live with snow, or people who work with snow, used it. I want to continue making proposals that will be used by such people, both domestically and internationally."
I see, perhaps the price is so reasonable because they want people to use them in their daily lives. At 26,180 yen, KANJIKI is a bargain compared to imported snowshoes
"To be honest, the cost of production and the selling price don't really match up (laughs). But I really want to get them to lots of people, and yet material costs are rising. Even so, I want to offer them without raising the price too much. That's why I assemble the parts myself and sew the straps on one by one using an industrial sewing machine.
But I also enjoy working on them while imagining someone being happy with them. I love making things and thinking about them. It's a moment where I can become just as engrossed as I am in snowboarding."
As Nakamura says this, his gentle gaze conveys that he truly loves making things, snowboarding, and people.
"I love people. Snowboarding isn't just about being on the snow; afterwards you can go to hot springs, go for drinks, and I love everyone involved. The brand name BREW is also derived from the word beer. I love having fun communicating with people over drinks. In any case, I believe that the one who enjoys life wins. I want to enjoy everything."
lastly……
"I would be very happy if this kind of challenge could inspire my generation and the younger generation to take on new actions. I want people to continue trying new things that they want to try, because I think that this will be an action that will revitalize the snow scene, and ultimately Japan
I'm happy now. I'm really glad that I've been snowboarding, and I'm living the life I am living now, in this place, because of snowboarding. And it's also thanks to the people I've met
The important thing is gratitude.”
Each "KANJIKI" is crafted with passion by Mr. Nakamura.
We hope you will experience its unique presence, which embodies Japanese tradition and the pride of a Japanese brand.
The person who taught me
Nakamura,
Founder of KANJIKI and Professional Snowboarder
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1986, Kanjiki is a professional snowboarder known for his stylish riding style, and also produces the apparel brand "Brew." In 2022, he launched "KANJIKI JAPAN," creating innovative snowshoes with a new feel. He is passionate about creating snowshoes that enrich the lives of people living and playing in Japan's snowy country
KANJIKI JAPAN
Official Website:https://kanjikijapan.base.shop/
Official Social Media:Instagram