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August 10, 2004
Hata-san
I met this guy, Hata-san, on the street in Shibuya about two years ago. I respect this guy a lot. Let me know if you do the same after I tell you a bit about him. Back then he would sit out by Hachiko listening to peoples stories, and writing them words to help cheer them in in Japanese. Many people do this in Japan, writing Japanese calligraphy with motivational messages. Kind of like a not so cheesy version of "successories" in the States. Personally, I like Despair.com more, but that's another story. Hata's Bio is posted on his website, but basically, he graduated from college, worked for about one year in a type of school which taught English. He was doing sales really, and doesn't really speak English himself. Anyway, he realized that type of salary man lifestyle really wasn't for him, so quit and started selling his messages on the streets of Shibuya.
He did well. So well in fact that he was able to quit all other activity, and life off his work. 1000 yen per message, neatly drawn, personalized, and placed in a nice plastic bag. After a year he was able to get his work in Family Mart, a big convenience store in Japan, and this year he opened his own shop in Daikanyama. You just follow the tracks back towards Shibuya. There is a map on the site.
He always wears black clothes, because since he is always working with Sumi, that Japanese black ink for calligraphy, black is easier to keep looking clean. Anyway, I highly recommend his stuff, his shop is in Daikanyama, and not only can you get some great artwork, but you can meet and talk to a really great guy! If you're in the Tokyo area, and looking for a cool guy to talk to, maybe even to practice your Japanese! Check it out!
Comments
Wow very cool. Always cool to hear these kinds of non-traditional success stories. I could never just quit my job like that. I always start thinking about "practical" matters like, what about my health insurance coverage? Posted by: mdchachi on August 17, 2004 12:45 AMHarvey he looks like the nicest person ever. The photo of him makes him look like he has a veery bright, bubbly, outgoing personality. He also looks a bit like the talk show host on lost in translation. Posted by: jieshi on August 17, 2004 01:31 PM"Harvey he looks like the nicest person ever. " Jieshi, he really really is! I have met few people that reach his level of pure, consistant, niceness. I wonder if he was like this before his job change... I wonder if it his lifestyle that allows him to be such a kind person. Or maybe he was always like that? Could you imagine this guy in a suit doing sales like a regular salaryman? Ouch. Posted by: Harvey on August 17, 2004 05:17 PMhey harvey. Sounds more like a dream come true to me. Where does this guy get his knowledge of urban planning from? "The Fountainhead?" I'll tell you all a little secret - you know those sterile, government-created, gigantic, boring places you all point to as examples of the failure of city planning? We City Planners do the same thing. Only better, and without as many gross factual errors or internal contradictions. Posted by: indi on January 6, 2005 08:46 PMWow very cool. Always cool to hear these kinds of non-traditional success stories.I could never just quit my job like that. I always start thinking about "practical" matters like, what about my health insurance coverage? Comment?
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