UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

That night, I was listening to the radio by myself. The radio dial was prefixed to the jazz program that Asha liked.

They had the Tony Bennett special on and I remembered the album I Wanna Be Around was Asha’s favorite.

The song on the radio was “The Good Life,” which was her favorite track, and I thought, I’ll bet she has the radio on as she gets her stuff ready for Paris tomorrow.

Thinking or hoping that Asha might call, I stared at the phone. Surprisingly, it did ring.

I picked up and said, “Asha?”
“How did you know it was me?”
“Because I was listening to Tony Bennett on the radio.”
“Yeah, I was thinking of the same thing. Listening to ‘The Good Life.’ I thought you would definitely be listening to it, too. I got all the stuff ready for tomorrow and was about to take a break and thought I’d call you because I wanted to hear your voice.”

Slightly husky, quiet, and composed, it reminded me of how much I loved her voice.
“Asha, you have a lovely voice.”
“Thank you, you know, saying what you think and feel like that, you really have changed. You never used to say things like that before. This makes me happy.”

Behind Asha’s voice on the phone, I can hear Tony Bennett coming from the radio.

“Look at that, we’re listening to the same radio station,” I said.
“That’s right, we’re like that, and for always,” said Asha.

“I’ll bet you are curled up in that blanket like you always are, right?”

At night, both of us like to wrap ourselves or put a blanket over us. We would relax on the sofa, with our blankets, listening to the radio.

“That’s right. How about you, Asha?”
“Same here, as always, curled up in my blankey.”

“Come to think of it, we have matching blankets. We’re funny. We’re curled up in matching blankets, listening to the same radio station, at the same time,” she said as she giggled. In a whisper, she said, “I like your voice, too.”

“Five years is a long time…,” I said.
“Yes, it is long,” she said.

With the phones still to our ears, we sat there, in silence for a while.

We could still hear Tony Bennett.

This is a reversible blanket we recommend for the cold winter. A Fair Isle or checkered print on the microfleece exterior is ideal for the season. The fine fiber gives you its uniquely soft texture. The inside is made with a silky fleece that’s oh-so-soft.

The coarseness of the fiber in the fine silky fleece tends to change with the dye. This is why we have studied the dye time and processing method time and time again, so that we can bring out a vibrant color while maintaining a lovely texture and warmth, both to the touch and the eye.

With Tony’s background music, we started to talk about the time we spent together in New York, all the fun stuff, and the funny stuff for hours on end.

“For me, I was very much influenced by what you said, how you always approach things with your heart. At first, I couldn’t understand what that meant, but one day as we were walking on Broadway you said, ‘Just be grateful for anything, good stuff and all, because it’s all about the learning. Once you learn how to do that, you can accept anything.’ That’s when I really understood what it means to approach things with your heart. Even the smallest, most insignificant things in life have something you can learn from. That’s why you approach with a grateful spirit. These words of yours have changed my life, I think, so thank you.”

“That’s something I learned from someone, too. I think learning is amazing, really. It’s not just our parents and friends but it’s this society and the world that is always teaching us something.
It’s a matter of whether you think you can call it learning. Learning is not about getting the answers, but thinking about what has been given to you, to continue to think. So, you can say that learning is life itself.”

“That is so true. From tomorrow, I won’t be able to see each you for five years. But getting to know you, and somewhere in the world, someday, I know we will meet again. Until then, I’m going to do my best, do what I must do for my future. You will develop so much in the next five years, no doubt. I think it’s beautiful that we will meet again, all grown up, and I think that very thought will keep me going.”

“There is another thing I learned from you. That is this very Japanese notion of being courteous. That’s about valuing the present. The me of today will be the me years down the line. What I do now will reflect on my future self. This is a fact. Then what must I do now, right? What do I eat now and how? Who do I meet now and how? What should I do now? Answers to these questions, I think, is found in the word that you always said, courteous.”

“Thank you, Asha. We will have developed so much in five years and will meet again. Honestly, I am sad, but the fact that we have this promise in five years gives me so much to go on. What I learned from you, Asha, is about warmly embracing solitude. Don’t run away from it, embrace it with your heart. Because being alone is a precondition for a human being, it’s a given. This thought really gave me that solace.”

“Hey, that’s ‘Stranger in Paradise’ on the radio, our song.”

“Right, so we are ‘Stranger in Paradise.’ We met in New York, about to fly into a new world respectively, knowing that we will definitely meet again. Let the phrase ‘stranger in paradise’ be our comfort and welcome tomorrow. I love you, Asha.”

“I love you, too.”

Then, we both quietly put the phone down for the night.

Drape it over your legs, wrap it around your waist, or use the snap button and wear it like a poncho. This is truly a multi-style blanket.

You can also match it up with your fleece slippers or loungewear for a coordinated look. At home, leave it on your sofa for your naps. Or in the car seat or the trunk for those outdoor camps and sports matches. This is winter LifeWear that comfortably keeps both young and old nice and warm.

My blanket I want to
take it here, there, everywhere.

FLEECE
BLANKET
(FAIR ISLE)

Not available

FLEECE
BLANKET
(CHECKED)

Not available

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.”