KANJIKI - Snowshoes to enrich the lives of people living and playing in snowy country Japan

I love playing in nature and want to enjoy it more. These thoughts and ideas create new things and value. [Creator Series] This time, we have a new type of snowshoe created by professional snowboarder Nakamura Takayuki. What are your thoughts on "KANJIKI"?

KANJIKI

KANJIK I- You can read it honestly. "Snacky." It is truly an instrument for walking on traditional Japanese snow made from bamboo and wood, as everyone imagines. In Japan, snow has long been an important tool in everyday life in snowy countries, hunting, agriculture, forestry, and mountain worship. However, in modern times, those needs are met with snowshoes imported from overseas.

There was a snowboarder who wondered, "Why?" Nakamura Takayuki. He is also a professional snowboarder, brand founder, and is now a craftsman who steps on industrial sewing machines.

I want to live with this and become a professional

"Everything about snowboarding is so unrealistic. Just one board allows humans to move freely in the snowy mountains of nature. The lift is like an attraction for walking in the air, and if you slide the powder in the backcountry you can feel like you're floating in the air. I've always thought that you wouldn't have a miraculous play. You'll never be able to experience it with anything else."

Nakamura has been chasing his brother's back since middle school.
"I was really captivated by snowboarding, so I've always wanted to become famous for snowboarding and live in this industry. I trained at a vocational school called JWSC in Myoko from the age of 18 and aimed to become a professional rider. My older brother also became a professional at SALOMON from that school. I followed my brother's back and got sponsored at about 20 years old, and became a professional.

However, I wanted to improve myself a little more professionally, so I went to Banff, B.C., Canada, when I was 23, and lived there for a year. Around that time, I won a local contest. I think that was the happiest memory of being a competer. When I returned to Japan, I received an offer to appear in snowboard movies, and from there I shifted to expressive activities where I could see the performance."

At the time, Nakamura was so well-received that he had a segment in two movie productions, Sclover, that he was well-received for his riding and style.

Launching apparel brand "BREW"

After that, why not try "producing an apparel brand that can be worn on snowboarding or on the streets?" Nakamura was invited to launch a brand called "BREW." He came up with his own designs and did everything by himself, from managing production processes to exhibitions, managing e-commerce sites to tagging products. BREW attracted fans with Nakamura's unique sensibility and became a popular brand that also wholesales to major Murasaki Sports and professional shops.

"I was a person who did everything on my own, so I got too busy. Around that time, I started appearing on a TV program called Terrace House and my surroundings changed. I was given a variety of jobs, but it became difficult to continue working on the brand while doing that."

Around 2021, when the coronavirus hit, the company stopped selling wholesale and reduced its size to only expanding e-commerce sites. "I felt like the world had shifted, and I thought it was an opportunity to take the next step too."

What's not happening in Japan, a snowy country?

"I thought I'd buy a new snowshoe at that time. But logistics were stopped worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were no products at all. That's when I felt a sense of discomfort. I realized that snow gear is just imported.

Even in Japan, the world is a snowy country and it is a very snowy country, and life is closely connected to snow. But what about Japanese snowshoe brands? That's how it all started. If there is none, I might be able to create it myself and make it into my next stage of activities. I decided in 2022, thinking that it might be useful for people who hunt in snowy regions, those who have to go to work or inspect the mountains, and those who work in snowy regions, and those who work in snowy regions would be of great help, and that many people would be pleased. ”

This is how Nakamura became passionate about creating snowshoes for Japan-made snowshoes.

KANJIKI's aim

This is the perfect work of the brand "KANJIKI" that was born in this way.

"In Japan, mountains are Satoyama, and there are many opportunities to climb straight and there are many streams. I think it would be better to fit Japanese mountains if they can properly thrust your toes into the snow and climb up vigorously. With traditional snowshoes, the toes are arched up, so it's difficult to climb straight.

For people who don't use snowshoes regularly, it may be difficult to imagine them in words. I hope you'll watch this Instagram video. You can clearly see the distinctive movements of KANJIKI.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KANJIKlI (@kanjiki_japan)

The distinctive feature is that it is easy to put on and take off. It folds quickly and is extremely fast to store. It's not thick so you can store it inside your backpack. And while some overseas items are 800g or 1kg, it's surprisingly light at 530g per shoe. It doesn't feel like it's heavy when walking or sliding. It is also highly durable, and the resin used will not break even in extreme cold.

In addition, there are the following advantages.
"I personally do it, so if there is a shortage or defect, we can send parts immediately, repair them, and provide detailed responses. I think it's a strength that we can take sincerely and quickly in supporting our customers."

I'm glad I didn't give up

However, the journey to release was not easy.

"KANJIKI is made of resin, but without any knowledge about resin, I visited a factory in Tomioka, Gunma, and asked to ask them to make something like this. I was thinking that there was a material that would resist the cold and would not break even if people were riding on it. However, the long-awaited first sample quickly cracked on the snow, slipped smoothly, and it was a huge failure. This was really sad.

It was only this that I learned that there are many different types of resin and there are many different types of resin, which is why. I am truly grateful to the factory for their help.

My friends told me that the actual product was finally made, and I was constantly growing worried about whether there was a real demand for it."

That's what happens when someone sees his companion hiking at KANJIKI and says, "What is that? As people were asked more and more, rumors spread to say, "That's what I wanted." What's great is that I've started wholesaling to shops even before I started selling on my e-commerce site. I was immediately relieved of all the anxiety I had had up until then, and I felt like I was able to save many of the hardships of my life, and that was what made me feel like I was glad that I did that. ...I cried (lol). I'm so glad I didn't give up.

While things were not going well, my wife watched me by her side as I was depressed, and she helped me with the assembly work, and gently supported me. My friends also encouraged me. I was really grateful and truly felt grateful that I had been supported by so many people."

I want to compete head on

We asked him what he thoughts he put into the name "KANJIKI."

"It was easy to understand, and I wanted to compete head-on as a Japanese person. For example, Japanese mountains have more trees than overseas, and the beauty of hardwood forests that are fun to go through is unique. People who skate in Japan have high skills to look at the terrain and have a wealth of knowledge about the mountains. Nowadays, Japanese riders have great skills, and they are not inferior to overseas countries at all. I would like to make Japanese people more aware of Japan's coolness and traditions through their products."

Next, I asked, "What kind of person would you like to use this?"

"Of course, it's like snowboarding in the backcountry, or find a good slope on the roadside, and then climb quickly and ski comfortably. I think it's a blessing to be able to use it, not just snowboarders, but also people who live with the snow, and people who work in the snow. I would like to make suggestions that will be used by such people in the future, both domestically and internationally."

I see, I want them to use it in a way that is rooted in daily life, so is the price this conscientious? The KANJIKI is quite extraordinary compared to imported snowshoes at 26,180 yen.

"To be honest, the cost and selling price are not at all reasonable (laughs). But I'm full of desire to deliver it to a lot of people, and yet the cost of materials is rising. Even so, I want to provide it without increasing the price even a little. So I put together the parts myself, and sew the straps one by one with an industrial sewing machine myself.
But it's also fun to work hard while imagining someone will be happy. I love making and thinking. It's also a moment that I can be as immersed in as I can as I can,"

Nakamura says, who says, can really tell that he loves manufacturing, snowboarding, and people.

"I love people, me. I love snowboarding, not just on the snow, but I also love snowboarding, like going to hot springs and drinking afterwards. The brand name BREW also comes from the meaning of beer. I like to communicate with you while drinking. Anyway, I think life is a win for what you enjoy. I want to have fun with anything."

lastly……

"I'd be very happy if this kind of challenge will trigger our generation and younger generations to launch new action. I hope they will continue to take on the challenges they want to do. I think that will be an action that will revitalize the snow scene, and ultimately Japan.

I'm happy now. I'm really glad I've been snowboarding, and I'm living this kind of life now, and I'm able to be in a place like this because I was snowboarding. And it's thanks to the people I met.

I'm grateful for what I value."

"KANJIKI" is created one by one by Nakamura, with all his heart.
I hope you will experience the unique presence that harnesses Japanese tradition and the pride of the Japanese brand.

KANJIKI JAPAN
official website: https://kanjikijapan.base.shop/Official
SNS: Instagram