I watched two science fiction dramas set in the distant future. The two dramas had different stories, historical backgrounds, and themes, but coincidentally had one thing in common. The main characters were subjected to a rule imposed on them by their respective organizations: "It is forbidden to have emotions. Emotions are a hindrance to the accomplishment of missions and goals, and for that reason, they are forbidden.

I believe that the fashion industry is now at a major crossroads for craftsmen and creators in the manufacturing situation. One of the reasons for this is the closure of subcontractors. For example, one of the first steps in the printing process is the pre-treatment of the fabric, and there are companies that specialize in this process, but in recent years, these companies have been going out of business. I would guess that the job is not very glamorous and lucrative, so there are probably not many willing to continue in the business, and it is also difficult to foster a successor. But without that pre-processing, the inkjet prints used by FF cannot be produced, so for us, it is a very serious business. So for us, it is a very serious problem. And also in the sewing industry. In addition to the above reasons, we are concerned about what will happen in the future due to the aging of craftsmen.

So what has been the motivation for those in the industry to continue working?
When I think about it, of course, profit-making was the first priority, but I think it was not the only motivation. I think that during the high-growth period, the momentum of the times was also a factor, but there was something else that was attractive to them besides profit-making. The good relationships that are built through work, the lubrication of work, the mutual trust, and the sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride that one's work is doing something significant for society as a result of one's involvement.

Seibu Ikebukuro, where we have had a pop-up store for 10 years, is now undergoing a transformation and is already undergoing renovations and is transforming itself, little by little, but significantly. I think that there were various factors related to the numbers and data, as well as the weak sales performance, that forced the company to make the change, I believe that transformation is essential and inevitable as a way to overcome this situation.

If the world is going to become a world where sales performance is the top priority, where numbers and data rule the day, and emotions and sentiments are eliminated, will I really be able to maintain the same motivation for creation as I do now? I have a question. I also wonder the people, companies, customers, buyers, etc., who are now standing by us in our work, even if the world becomes less emotional in business in the future, will they continue to support FF in the same way they do now? I am very anxious about this. Sales, performance, performance data, number of followers, number of subscribers…the world has become a place where no one can resist numbers and data. Emotions have become less and less important.

So, for example, is emotion really unnecessary in the creative works?

I think that emotion and imagination are somehow similar, or rather, somehow connected, or perhaps not unrelated.
People who are rich in emotion are also somehow rich in imagination, don't you think? I think that even the same creator will produce different works if he or she produces works without emotion and works that are created by releasing emotion.
As the saying goes, - God is in the details -, if we can't get emotionally involved with a work of art, doesn't our imagination extend to its details?
For example, ask specific questions about how to get an AI that is supposed to have no emotions to solve a problem.
For example, how to eliminate war altogether? And so on.
I am sure we will get a smart and witty answer that we will feel comfortable with. But isn't there really no seriousness or earnestness in the answers given by AI to achieve this? I would imagine so.

I would like to continue to enjoy creation in the current style as long as there are still rich emotions present in my environment of creative works.

Isshi KANAMARU 2024.9