Masaya Konaka×Chisako Takashima

2015.05.01

An interview series featuring Ginza people in conversation with violinist Chisako Takashima. With a special fondness for Ginza, which holds many memories both from her professional and private lives, Takashima explores Ginza from various dimensions with her guests. In this volume, she welcomes Mr. Masaya Konaka, Managing Director of DAIKO,INC., which offers fragrances from all over the world.

A trading company specializing in selected high-quality fragrances from worldwide.

Takashima: Could you tell me about your business?
Konaka: DAIKO is a trading company specializing in fragrances. Ever since our establishment in 1965, we have imported incense and raw material for making joss sticks and exported products manufactured by NIPPON KODO, an affiliated company. We also import selected essential oils and home fragrances from all over the world, and we have recently launched a new private label.
Takashima: I had always imagined that you specialized in Japanese incense, so it had never occurred to me that you also sold essential oils. What are some of the challenges you are faced with when you do business with overseas companies.
Konaka: We import most of our raw material and joss sticks from Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Chinese people lay great importance on relationships of mutual trust, so it is very important to foster good friendships with them. Also, because the Japanese market is very demanding in terms of high quality, it is also important for us to have our counterparts understand the Japanese love for high quality. Some products that would not be considered defective in other countries do not sell in Japan.

The efficacy of fragrance is closely linked to memory. Fragrances recommended for the rainy season are…

Takashima: As the rainy season approaches, do your have any recommendations for humidity?
Konaka: I would recommend the white birch. The soft and elegant scent will wash away the gloominess of the rainy weather. Burning incense when it is humid will let you feel cooler even if the humidity level is not actually lowered.
Takashima: It is true that white birch has a somewhat nostalgic scent that is soothing. It reminds me of tatami (straw mats) – dryness. I know an artist who enjoys aroma before going on stage Fragrances have the effect of working on a person’s feelings.
Konaka: Fragrance can recall memories and move emotions, so your friend must use fragrances to stimulate himself. Fragrances are said to have diverse effects, such as helping a person relax or sleep soundly, depending on what is used. Different people have different responses, so I think it is best to use what you like when you want to. For example, orange and other citrus scents are generally supposed to make people feel refreshed, but some people may be able to sleep well by smelling it before going to bed.
Takashima: Very true! Music is similar in some ways. Preferences should not be forced upon people.

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