Ryu Miho's "Woman in Jazz♡" Part 2

A conversation with KAMOME master Motohito Sasaki

I also lived in Yokohama when I was a child, so I feel nostalgic about it.
What does 'Yokohama' mean to you, Mr. Sasaki?

Sasaki: It's the place I was born and raised in, and it's a place I love. Until the Vietnam War ended, America was next door to us.
My grandfather, my father, and I all went to the same school, so everyone knew us.

Ryu: I see. That's your hometown, Mr. Sasaki.

What made you start listening to jazz?

Sasaki: I was introduced to it without even realizing it. There weren't many TVs at the time, and there was a lot of radio. Things like the Occupation Forces Broadcasting. Isn't FEN still around today? Programs like Best Hits USA were always on.
The neighbors were occupied by the occupying forces, and the father of the family brought a radio into the garden and drank beer while I played with the children. Before I knew it, jazz and Western music was playing on the radio. I also remember the layout of the furniture at the time very well. There was always ice cream in the big refrigerator. We would all eat it with spoons while we were at home alone.
In the past, there were many cabarets around here, and big bands played jazz.
I was taken there lol

Ryu: Mr. Sasaki, even though you lived in Japan you had an American-style childhood.
Sasaki: Yes, it was really natural.

When was Ryu KAMOME founded?

The date is November 16th, 2014.

Yokohama is a port city that is well suited to jazz. When you decided to set up KAMOME, what kind of shop did you want to open, and why did you choose this location, Kannai?

Sasaki: It just came naturally, regardless of whether it was the birthplace of jazz or a port town. I've been coming to Kannai since I was young as it's a town for adults.
This is an interesting place, an adult town that's like a mix of Roppongi, Ginza, and Shinjuku in Tokyo. It's right on this side of the bus route. There's a movie theater nearby, too.
When I started drinking around here as a young man, I felt like I had become an adult. There are many shops around here that have been around for a long time, and there are sushi restaurants, Western restaurants, and other shops that can only be found here. I think it's a good place, a place with a good smell.

Ryu: There are certainly a lot of stores I don't know about. The appearance, the atmosphere, etc. I'm sure there are still a lot of stores I don't know about.

The restaurant's catchphrase is "Jazz, fusion, funk, bossa nova and other high-quality music and food served as casual wear." When you think of jazz, you might not think of it as something you can listen to casually, so what kind of image do you have of it when you say it's casual wear?

Sasaki: There is no dress code. I'm often asked this on the phone, but I'm always happy to come in jeans or sandals.

The restaurant has sofa seats and is very comfortable. Is there anything special about the interior?

Sasaki: It's comfortable, the toilets are clean, and they have delicious food.
I haven't really thought about the layout, but it wouldn't be interesting if it was all tables and chairs. I'd like to have some low ones, some high ones, and different chair colors. I'd like to have different sofa colors and put cushions on them.

Ryu: That random feeling is relaxing.

Sasaki: That's right. That way you can think in a more open way. It looks like a furniture store to the naked eye, though.

Ryu: There are big windows so you can see the live performance from outside, which is also nice. It's open and people watching from outside can easily come inside the store.

Sasaki: Actually, this window is tinted so you can't see inside, but I wonder if you can see a little at night.
So there are quite a few people watching.

Ryu: The chef and the tuner always feel like family.

Sasaki: Yes, we've been working with the same members for over 10 years.

What is your favorite song, Sasaki-san? (Jazz, bossa nova, rock, etc.)

Sasaki: It depends on the time. I like rock music too.

What is the most popular menu item at KAMOME live matters?

Sasaki: The most popular is sauteed pork. There is always someone who eats it. And quiche. Quiche Lorraine is the simplest quiche, made with bacon and onion. There is a high meat consumption rate among women.

Ryu: Really? Do you all often order meat dishes?

Sasaki: That's right. I eat a lot of meat, like pork cutlet sandwiches and fried chicken.

Ryu: Are there a lot of people who come alone and drink alcohol?

Sasaki: That's right. Most people come alone. People who meet here become friends and say hello to each other. But most people start out alone. And the men who come almost every day complain, "I thought jazz was a man's world, but what do men do?" (laughs)
Everyone says it's amazing how beautiful people come to listen to jazz.

Ryu: I see, that's interesting haha. There are certainly a lot of beautiful jazz musicians.

What kind of store would you like musicians to return to?

Sasaki: I think "I'm home" is the best.
Some musicians say they got hungry as soon as they arrived lol

Finally, what can be done to make it easier for women to visit jazz houses in the future?

Sasaki: It's already started. It's okay.
It breaks the dirty image of jazz houses.
Please come to KAMOME lol

[Kannai KAMOME]
HP: http://www.yokohama-kamome.com/
TEL: 045-662-5357
Mail: kamome@yokohama-kamome.com