Kentaro Moto: A Gift from the Athletic Association

2022/05/17

Kappabashi Dougu-gai is an 800-meter-long shopping street running north to south between Asakusa and Ueno. It is a unique shopping district in the world where everything a restaurant needs can be found. Before the pandemic, it was bustling with many foreign tourists, but as our primary clients are restaurants, we are currently facing very difficult times.

In that area, I run a ceramics shop called Komatsuya. Founded in 1908, we have been doing business in Kappabashi for over 100 years, and I am currently entrusted with the heavy responsibility of serving as the Chairman of the Tokyo Kappabashi Shopping District Promotion Association. Both in business and in managing the association, I am struggling to overcome the great enemy that is COVID-19.

However, I have the confidence to overcome these difficult times. This is because I have a strong sense of pride and attachment as an alumnus of the Keio University Athletic Association. I spent my student life in the Athletic Association Kendo Club. At that time, the Kendo Club won the All Japan Intercollegiate Kendo Championship, and it could be called the strongest era in history. The director was Mr. Mutsuo Okada, who was the captain when former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto entered the university; there is a famous story that he forced Hashimoto-senpai to join the Kendo Club. He was strict with members regarding lifestyle habits and untidy clothing, telling us to wear a white shirt under our school uniforms and white underwear when competing. At the time, I didn't understand why, but now I can somewhat understand. I was taught spiritual preparation and the traditions of Keio Kendo rather than just kendo techniques. I also learned the "three treasures" provided by sports, as taught by former President Shinzo Koizumi: 1. Practice makes the impossible possible, 2. The spirit of fair play, and 3. Gaining lifelong friends. When I lost my father at a young age and was anxious about the future of the business, I was helped by the director's advice and the story of these three treasures.

Last year, when Yamashoku in Mita faced a crisis of survival due to the pandemic and held a crowdfunding campaign, the curry plates made by Komatsuya were selected as return gifts. At that time, Director Okada told me to put my heart into it if I could contribute to Yamashoku, a part of Keio culture, through my work. I produced over 4,000 plates in a short period and delivered them with the "Gratitude Yamashoku" mark on the back. Many alumni of the Athletic Association cooperated in this support fund, and I felt a strong bond and love for the Juku. Through the Athletic Association, people care for one another, and even after graduation, each club connects through their shared prayers for victory in the Waseda-Keio rivalry, building wonderful human relationships. With this gift from the Athletic Association, I want to do my best in life from now on with the spirit of fair play.