Our Perspective and
it's True Essence
Reside in the Details.

Kato: I have a question I would like to ask Mr. Kitagawa, your graphics always have small irregularities. Theoretically, it’s something that is difficult to achieve, If done without skill, it would simply look awkward, but in your case, these small shifts are almost imperceptible. That’s exactly why they remain in my memory, and I think it’s what makes your work so moving. You must put a lot of thought into these details, right?

Kitagawa: That's right. Even with QUANTUM's logo, simply put it's all the same size gothic font but I made the Q a little bigger, and when I write UM I change the thickness of the horizontal lines, I don't mean to boast but I am doing some provoking stuff. Again the Q is mirrored script sort of reflecting the contradiction of this world and that world which I mentioned earlier. I think expressing those concepts in a dignified manner without being too loud is essential for developing a product like this. These ideas reside in the details.

Kato: These type of details are always hidden within your works, it is what captures people's hearts.

Development of QUANTUM products is going to continue, can you give us some concrete examples of what you are thinking about?

Kato: As for product development, this time we have created the standard model and going forward we are planning to create a special model working with various artists and craftsmen on boxes, scents and cloth. Because we have made it a box it is a good chance for us to work with a lot of people.

Kitagawa: On top of that we are also discussing adding a food element to this space.

Kato: Being able to explain what QUANTUM is as part of a fundamental experience including food and a stay will be more convincing.

Kitagawa: Like I have been saying all along, 'to die is to live.' Therefore since it is part of the process of life I think it would be interesting to have food here.

Helping Those Left Behind
Find Emotional Grounding.

Kato: When developing these products I wanted to focus on the feelings of those in mourning. These days we often hear about people closing their family graves, I don't think it's because they are indifferent, I think the fundamental problem is in the emotional distance from those left behind. Isn't it really more important to help those left behind find emotional grounding?

Kitagawa: I couldn't agree more. Just a little while ago I had a pet turtle, but it passed away. Currently I live in Daikanyama in Tokyo and I went looking for a place to burry the turtle with my kids and we couldn't find any. Parks were off limits and when I called the ward office they said to put it in a plastic bag and throw it in the trash. They said that to us while we were all mourning the lose of our turtle.

There are those who die and those who are left behind, at QUANTUM we are going to focus on the feelings of those left behind. That might be a large difference between us and current funeral styles and products.

Kato: As for myself about one year after getting involved in this project my father passed away from a sudden illness. Especially when a family member passes it brings up a lot of emotions, it made it real to me that people actually do die, after that every time that something happened I said to myself, 'I am going to die anyway, I'd better do my best.' I don't mean it negatively, everyone is going to die some day so what can you do with the time you have. Living without being aware of death makes us tenuous, I thought about that often especially after covid.

Kitagawa: All living things die eventually. But death is important for the evolution of life, on a genetic level death leads to diversity in life.

New Funerals and
Consoling the Heart.

It is because this country is so tolerant and diverse regarding religion that we have an opportunity to bring about a return to the true essence of funerals and burials. QUANTUM was born from that idea, how do you imagine it will develop in the future?

Kato: I believe that QUANTUM's concept and world view can be universally understood regardless of race or nationality. Now people are being divided all around the world, but if each and everyone of us becomes conscious of this obvious fact that we are all going to die and changes our heart I think the world wouldn't be so cruel. It might be a bit too much to expect but QUANTUM isn't just a product it is an idea and as that idea spreads I hope it makes the world a better place.

What do you think Mr. Kitagawa?

Kitagawa: Hopefully, unrelated to fundamentalist religions and political ideology, and not just fancifully speaking I hope it can be a catalyst for people to start thinking about life today and be more sympathetic and grateful. Not simply selling goods but collaborating about views on life and death and consoling the heart, that is the identity and DNA of QUANTUM, I think brands with these characteristics have an important role to play in the world.

However talking about all of this in front of Mr. Usui who has so much experience dealing with death and watching these changes I feel like I am preaching to Buddha.

Usui: No, not at all, but right now we are truly in the middle of a whirlpool of change. Even so humans are weak creatures, we seek comfort and we always retain the primordial desire to express gratitude toward the deceased. QUANTUM is one piece of that puzzle. With help from the two of you I hope it will become the heart of the new form of prayer and veneration.