The connection leads to bikes and leather jackets. Interview with Mr. Satoru Ireijou, producer of "TOUR RECORD"

A new release from the luxury leather brand "TOUR RECORD" is coming soon, a leather jacket. The bike chosen by producer Satoru Ireijou was the Hyosung GV250DRA, a Korean-made bike. People are surprised he chose such an unusual bike, but the reason is... It was connected like a plot twist in a drama.

I believe it is "a connection."

Mr. Ireijou is producing genuine value through his collaboration with artisans, working on leather products and sukajan jackets. He shared his experience by saying, "In my teenage years, I was more into bikes than cars. It was like an instinctive feeling." Was he also drawn to the instinctive strength of the Hyosung GV250DRA motorcycle?

Ireijou: "No, to be honest, I don't feel that allure of strength in this bike. If I had to say something, it would be 'curiosity.' But when I think about why it's a Korean bike, I believe it’s just 'fate.'

The reason Mr. Irimono chose this bike began with a mysterious chain of connections.

BiS Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Satoru Ireijou Born December 22, 1994, from Kanagawa Prefecture. In April 2021, he established BiS Co., Ltd. in Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and began agency operations related to television publicity. He has produced several brands, including leather products like "TOUR RECORD" (leather wallets and jackets) and luxury sukajan jackets like "JacksonSquare Tokyo Shibuya." His latest published work is "The Compass for Entrepreneurs" (published by Fast Book).

A strange chain of connection with Korean business partners and "Itaewon Class"

In the first place, Mr. Ireijou now goes to Korea about half of the month and is expanding his business. The initial trigger for this dates back to about six years ago, just before he started his business.

Ireijou: “My former senior at NTT Docomo told me, ‘You should watch Itaewon Class.’ ※ I had no interest in Korean dramas at all, but they said, ‘You should definitely watch it. You seem like you’re going to start a business.’ So I watched it and was really motivated. That was when my desire to start a business grew stronger.”<

※Itaewon Class is a television drama that aired on the South Korean cable television channel JTBC from January 31 to March 21, 2020. Set in Itaewon, a fiercely competitive area for restaurants in Seoul, it depicts young people striving to succeed in the restaurant industry together with their friends.

Ireijou: “After that, I was genuinely interested in the city of Itaewon, so I decided to visit. There, I met Sim and Moon, who are connected to my current business.”

Mr. Shim Jae-gil (right) and Mr. Moon Myung-woo (center).

Mr. Sim Jegil and Mr. Moon Myungwoo. They are a producer and designer dealing with high-end leather goods from Korea. The high-end line "TOUR RECORD," which uses crocodile and elephant leather and was started by Mr. Ireijou, was originally inspired by stories from his travels in Korea, combining the concepts of "travel (TOUR)" and "memories (RECORD)." While the brand features Japanese leather craftsmen, it has now evolved into a collaborative project of creation between Korea and Japan, generating new images in a mutually respectful relationship with Mr. Sim and Mr. Moon.

Ireijou: 'If it weren't for a comment from a senior colleague from my previous job, I probably wouldn't have watched the drama, and if I hadn't watched it, I wouldn't have gone to Itaewon. If I hadn't gone to Itaewon, I wouldn't have met them. Looking back, my experiences in Korea so far feel like the foreshadowing of a drama. From that meeting, I have unexpectedly been picking up on the foreshadowing.

The opportunity to ride Hyoseung's bike and the reactions from those around.

Ireijou: "I also wonder why it's 'Korea.' But I think the most important thing is the human relationships. There's no 'why' in that. It's just a chance encounter that created a connection."
"Getting to know them, having a good feeling, and respecting each other is what ultimately led to the work. It just happened that they were Korean, and through them, I gradually started to like Korea more and more."

Filming and editing / Daichi Kato, model / Aiko Ishihara

The reason for choosing Hyoseung's bike was that they wanted to build a deeper bond with their Korean partners, such as Shim Jaegil and Moon Myungwoo. It was a manifestation of Mr. Ireijou's determination. He respected them immensely and wanted to learn about their culture. However...

"Ireijou: When I consulted them about wanting to buy this bike (Hyosung), they told me, 'You should definitely not do it.' It seems that in Korea, it's common sense for those who have money or who love bikes to buy Japanese or German bikes. They said, 'While it's nice that you respect Korea, I don't understand why anyone would pay that amount to buy a Korean bike.' They told me, 'You can buy a good Japanese bike instead.'

Moreover, Korea has a culture of showing off, so if you're a successful entrepreneur, you'll have a Porsche, Benz, or Lexus. I believe that such pride contributes to business success, and I think it actually does. It's hard for them to understand the mindset of someone like me who would choose to sell my Porsche and ride a Hyundai or buy a Hyosung."

Despite their advice, Mr. Ireijou's enthusiasm remained unwavering.

Ireijou: "It may be difficult for them to understand, whether they are business partners or people from Korea, but the real reason I chose this motorcycle, while being in Japan, is to know their (mindset) and to find a way to respect them."
"When you actually ride it, even though it has a small engine, the body is large and looks great with a leather jacket. The cool visual appeal satisfies my desire to own it. Furthermore, I really like this motorcycle that makes me feel a connection to Korea."

South Korea is "appearance-focused," and then enters the leather jacket business

model (right) / Kaho

Moreover, since Mr. Ireijou started doing business in South Korea, he has experienced significant changes. One of them was a diet that led him to lose 40kg in about six months. His weight, which was 104kg about six months ago, has now dropped to 64kg.

Ireijou: "Thanks to a word from Mr. Shim Je-gil. 'If you're going to expand your business in Korea, it’s better to lose weight because appearance is prioritized.' Coincidentally, various factors came together around that time, and I was pushed into a situation where I had no choice but to lose weight."

―― "Even so, losing 40kg in six months is remarkable."

Ireijou: "I received a tremendous amount of support from Koreans. Many of them are knowledgeable about beauty and health. When I started the diet, I was drinking whatever was recommended, like enzymes (laughs). But the essence is simple: as long as my energy intake did not exceed my basal metabolic rate, I lost weight." <

—— "I think losing 40kg in such a short period must have been tough, but was the idea behind the leather jackets that they would suit slimmer figures?"

Ireijou: "That's not the case. Honestly, at the time of producing the leather jackets, I had already lost quite a bit of weight, and when I happened to go to the store after a long time and tried on a leather jacket, it fit well, and I thought, 'This feels good'."

—— "As a result of losing weight by following recommendations, it turned out that you also connected with leather jackets."

Ireijou: "That's when I realized I had always liked motorcycles. There is definitely a demand among riders who love cool things. Since I like cowhide and vintage items, I wanted to try my hand at leather jackets."

Filming/Editing: Daichi Kato, Model: Aiko Ishihara

A new development in TOUR RECORD starting with a Korean partner: the commitment to "leather jackets"

So far, TOUR RECORD has built its foundation with a high-end lineup using precious materials such as crocodile leather and elephant leather. What kind of world is this brand, created in collaboration with Japanese leather artisans, aiming for with the new leather jackets developed alongside a Korean business partner?

Ireijou: "In Japan, there are limited places to buy leather jackets. Of course, I like those famous leather jackets from such places, but I want to create items that have a playful spirit and high fashion appeal."<

High-quality leather materials can be worn beautifully not only by male bikers but also by women.

Ireijou "We base it on popular silhouettes, but we are creating original designs together with our Korean partners. Of course, we pay attention to details, including leather materials, threads, buttons, and zippers."
"For those who choose the TOUR RECORD brand, I hope they encounter the leather, details, and dedication to craftsmanship that this brand has selected. I think we might create several pieces with the same design, but we consciously do not mass-produce the same item. I want to experiment with various types of leather and am going through trial and error."

I want you to encounter a single leather jacket rather than mass-produced items. That seems to be the brand's commitment.

A day when love for Japan and respect for Korea come together

Originally, Mr. Yairemon has valued Japanese pride and tradition and has cherished craftsmanship. What kind of outlook does he have for manufacturing in Japan moving forward?

The pendant produced and designed by Shim Jae-gil has Hangul characters that can be read as "Satoru." Mr. Yairemon feels a bond with this gift and wears it around his neck.

Ireijou: "Of course, I want to continue working with Japanese craftsmen in the future. Just recently, I visited Miyako Island to meet with the craftsmen. I will continue to engage in manufacturing in Japan from now on. However, leather jackets are more popular in Korea, and actually, thanks to an excellent production environment and the strength of our partners, we are able to build an environment to create good products."
"In any case, I believe we are currently the strongest team of three. Last year, I never imagined I would be producing leather jackets, but this is also fate. With respect for them in my heart, I am looking forward to seeing how things will unfold from here."

Shim Jaegil (left) and Moon Myung-woo (right).

The connections gained in Korea may be the prologue to an even larger business. The Hyoseung that Ireijou rides as a testament to respect will rush towards the next new story.

via cdn.clipkit.co

TOUR RECORD
Location: 6-12-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Koit Building, 8th floor
Business hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Reservations required for visiting)
Closed: Irregular holidays
TEL: 03-6626-9695 (Reservations are required for visiting)

TOUR RECORD Official Website: https://tourrecord.jp/

Photography by Hiroshi Nose (model: Kaho), Photography by Daichi Kato (model: Ako Ishihara), Interview and text by Masashi Kakino