Toshiyuki Kosaka×Chisako Takashima

2011.09.30

A talk series with the violinist Chisako Takashima and the Ginza people. Ginza holds many personal and professional memories for Chisako Takashima. In this talk series, she thoroughly explores various aspects of the Ginza culture with her guests. Today’s guest is Toshiyuki Kosaka, Representative Director and President of Kosaka Real Estate Co., Ltd. and Director of Komatsu Store Co., Ltd. , who also serves as a leading member of the Ginza Association. He opens up about his personal relationship with Ginza.

Koban were unearthed during the reconstruction of Ginza Komatsu.

Takashima: I hear that you are passionately involved in helping Ginza develop in many ways. What are your activities?
Kosaka: I’m Chairman of the Ginza Street Association, Executive Director of the Ginza Association and Chairman of the Ginza Machidukuri Council . Of course, these are voluntary responsibilities besides my main business activities.
Takashima: You have assumed a lot of responsibilities. By the way, how long have you been in your main business in Ginza?
Kosaka: Since 1971. My great-grandfather was already in Ginza, and my honseki (legal domicile) is registered in Ginza, which is actually a bit unusual.
Takashima: It’s the first time I’ve heard about a honseki in Ginza. The Komatsu Store has long been an iconic spot in Ginza, but you’re currently rebuilding. When will the new building be completed?
Kosaka: We began construction at the end of 2010 and are scheduled to reopen next spring. We’d like the building to contribute to Ginza.
When we previously rebuilt the store in 1956, koban (oval Japanese gold coins) were unearthed. There were a total of 208 coins from the Keicho and Kyoho eras, which is a lot to find. Nothing turned up this time (laughs).
Takashima: So they turned up while digging. What happened to the coins?
Kosaka: We didn’t get to keep them. But it was a big lucky news at the time, and we were just happy that it was good advertising for us. The coins are currently kept at the National Museum as “buried cultural properties.”

On writing folk songs as a student.

Takashima: You must be quite busy, but what do you like to do on your days off?
Kosaka: I play golf to get exercise, and tend to finish up any remaining work from the week. I used to play golf quite seriously when I was young. But now that I’m involved in three additional roles besides my original work, I really don’t have much time to play anymore.
Takashima: That just shows how much you are thinking about Ginza. I was told that you played in a band when you were a student. What kind of music did you play?
Kosaka: Folk songs. In the ‘60s, many college students formed a band and played live at various venues. There were no music scores at the time, so we would listen to records to pick up on how they were playing.
Takashima: Did you write your own melodies and lyrics?
Kosaka: I did. It was a popular thing to do. I would make a song, then play it on the guitar.
Takashima: I’d love to hear what you wrote. You should think about bringing the band together and playing in Ginza.

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