UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

“Now, come along,” she said, standing up from the bench holding a silver cane with a handle. It was then that I realized that she was my mother’s height. Visions of my mom came to mind…

“In spring, red abelia flowers bloom and it’s so beautiful,” she said as she pointed to the hedges as we walked out of the Strawberry Field.

Her name is Toko. With a Japanese father and a British mother, she was born and raised in New York. She’s been to Japan a number of times and she can speak a bit of Japanese. “Call me Toko-san,” she said with a smile.

As we strolled through the passage in Central Park, Toko-san started to ask me about myself and how my journey started, all the while nodding and agreeing happily.

We reached Bethesda Terrace, an open space at the heart of Central Park, with a large fountain called the “Angel of the Waters.” This became one of my favorite places.

“This way, come,” Toko-san led the way. Then she stopped in front of a statue.

“Hello, Mr. Beethoven.”

She tapped on the stone base and said, “This is who I wanted you to meet,” with a slight giggle.

With a scarf around his neck and his iconic frown, Beethoven was looking downward. It said that the bust was created in 1884.

“My favorite quote by Beethoven is, ‘Only the pure in the heart can make a good soup.’ It’s so difficult to stay pure in life, work, and relationships, but it is the most important value in life. Whenever I feel like I’m losing my purity, I come and pay a visit to Mr. Beethoven.”

Toko-san gazed up at the stately statue and murmured, “Yes, to stay pure in the heart…”

“I thought that you had such pure eyes. So don’t worry or feel lost. Trust yourself and keep feeding your pure soul. But if you do feel like you are in a fix, come and see this man,” said Toko-san as she patted me on my back.

Standing in front of Beethoven, I put my hand on my chest and asked myself, “What is this pure soul of mine…?”

She took out a tiny badge from her pocket and placed it in my hand with a smile. “Here, this is for you. From today, you and I are friends.”

The badge had “SMILE” written in red. I put it on the chest of my sweat pullover hoodie. Toko-san nodded.

This sweat material was developed by closely knitting together thick No.20 thread. This unique thickness gives it the solid body that leads to that securely snug comfort. The quality achieved from the fine stitching definitely makes it a perfect piece for many styles. The feature we were most particular about is how the hood stood.

It should be dimensional and beautiful, which was a result of many trials of patterns of the shape and how it attaches to the hoodie. Just the right volume in the hood makes the hoodie a great top on its own or goes handsomely inside a jacket.

After parting with Toko-san, I headed back to the hotel. All the way, I kept thinking about the same question. “What is this pure soul of mine?”

“Find what you believe in and work hard at it. Then you’ll see that many people will come around to help you. That’s New York,” she said.

I’m going to walk home today, no subway. So I just kept on going down Broadway towards downtown.

As I strolled down Broadway, I just kept on focusing the myriad lives that make up this amazing city. People that brush by, standing in the corner, going on about their lives…all the while trying to find the answer to this burning question.

That’s when I noticed this well-built man wearing a hoodie, walking this way.

For some strange reason, to me, he seemed to be walking with a spotlight. He kept advancing this way.

In front of his hoodie, there was a writing in gray and it said, ‘learn.’

As he came closer, our eyes met and he had a faint smile and gave a soundless, “Hey,” and just kept on walking.

From that point on, the word “learn” was burnt in my mind like some kind of a sign.

To “learn” is to gain something, to be more true to yourself.

“That’s it!”

It was like lightning had struck. It’s not about what I should do or want to do but about what I would learn or want to learn, today, here, now. And that’s all what it should be about. It’s about that earnest attitude to life, the pure soul.

It’s not about whether the time passes you by or not, but no matter how hard it may be, there is always something to learn in that moment. What’s important is the attitude to embrace each moment to find what can be learnt and that’s what it means to work hard.

Working hard is about learning. Yes, it’s not about whether you work on a job or on a relationship or life. Everything is about learning, and that’s all we should be thinking about. To stay as true as you possibly can, to see, to feel, to think, and take it all in. Life is one learning after another.

Beyond learning is probably gratitude. If all in life is learning, we should communicate this feeling of thanks. It’s not what we say because someone has done something for you. We have to always be grateful for everything in life.

I realized then that this attitude of appreciation is what will shape my lifestyle and my life going forward.

Thank you, New York! From this moment on, I am certain that I can change. Now I had a skip or two in my steps as I continued down the street.

We used 2-needle stitching throughout this piece, making the inseams flat and comfortable to the touch. The kangaroo pocket in front has a classic look with the ribbed edges. The pocket opening is made sturdy with an added layer of fabric attached in the back.

The body and the sleeves have a relaxed silhouette, and a carefully studied shoulder position and pattern allow for easier movement. The ends of the hood string are covered with gold tips for a premium look. Polyester cotton has been used on the inside of the hood for a quick dry after the wash.

Put on just the right size with
a classy trouser.
This is the perfect ensemble
for this pullover.

MENLONG-SLEEVE
SWEAT PULLOVERHOODIE$29.90

Choose this clothes

What is “LifeWear story 100?”

At UNIQLO,
there exist these lines of clothes
which has remained for many years,
trend-neutral
yet never dated.
Out of the line-ups,
they are the unsung presence,
sitting quietly behind in TV ads.

Yet, they are the culmination
of the years of passion and devotion,
where UNIQLO sought to pursue
more comfort,
more durability, and
more quality.

They give shape and gravitas
to what and who UNIQLO is,
and what UNIQLO continues
to nurture with great care.

To go beyond yesterday,
to reach higher tomorrow.

When you take it in your hands,
when you try it on,
it softly speaks to you,
almost like a friend.

What is a rich quality
lifestyle?
How is such a quality day spent?
What does happiness mean to you…

And you will find yourself
surprised to discover that such
piece of clothing has existed.

What is the UNIQLO principle?
Why do we call clothing LifeWear?
What kind of clothes constitute
LifeWear?

Here, we go deep into
the root of LifeWear,
to know
and to tell.
And I hope to write
stories that revolve
around LifeWear and myself.

LifeWear story 100 will be
a story about a journey with me and LifeWear.

Yataro Matsuura

Essayist, editor. Born 1965 in Tokyo.
For nine years from 2005, under the leadership of the founder, Shizuko Ohashi, he was the chief editor for the magazine, “Kurashi no Techo.” Since, he launched an online media site, “Kurashi no Kihon.” Currently, sits as a director for Oishii Kenko Ltd. Recognized for his eye for style and experience in presenting ideas for quality lifestyle. Regularly writes in his columns in newspapers and magazines. Has penned numerous best-sellers including “Kyo mo Teinei ni” and “Shigoto no Kihon Kurashi no Kihon 100.” Hosts a radio program on NHK Radio 1, “Karen Style.”