MELEMELE

[MELE MELE x Working Women] Interview vol.9 Moemi Sakaki

2021.11.19

Who is a MELE MELE Woman?

MELE MELE, which supports working women, is a project where MELE interviews women who are creatively active in various genres.

Vol.9 Moemi Sakaki @moemi_nu @wagashi_wokano

In the 9th installment, we spoke to Moemi Sakaki, the 6th generation proprietress of a Japanese confectionery shop in Saitama Prefecture. As someone who continues to take on new challenges in a traditional industry, what does Mr. Sakaki think of as himself?

===Profile===

She is the sixth generation proprietress of the Japanese confectionery shop Gokokusai Kawo Kano, which has been in business for 134 years in Saitama Prefecture. After working at a gal apparel company, she joined her parents' company ``Okano'' at the age of 20 . The company has received attention in the media due to its hit ice cream "Kudzu Candy" which does not melt. The family business, which had been in the red, has been in the black for two years in a row and continues to challenge itself in the world of traditional Japanese sweets.

<About the job>

While I'm usually at the store doing sales, I also work on the PC, visit other stores to see what's going on, develop products, etc. Since we are a local store, we write and post flyers every month and do other activities to help the local people know more about our store. We started selling rice cakes at the store in October, hoping to create an atmosphere that would be easy for young people to enter. You can enjoy freshly made mochi with your favorite flavor and cooking method.

<Please tell us about your store's products and services>

Currently, the main item that sells best is ``non-melting ice cream kudzu candy''. It has been featured in the media and has been selected as the number one new specialty of Nakasendo. Fruit Daifuku is popular on EC. Fruit daifuku has become popular in recent years, and the number of specialty stores is increasing, but we use only one type of seasonal fruit and sell it in a style that allows you to enjoy it seasonally. The fruit daifuku made from scratch by a long-established Japanese confectionery shop uses carefully selected mochi and red bean paste, and it's the first time I've had such delicious fruit daifuku! We have received happy words from our customers.

<What is individuality? ＞

If you do something that deviates from conventional wisdom, there will always be someone who will say something to you. I think such things will continue to increase in the future, but if everyone continues to do the same thing because it's scary, it will never change, and the demand for Japanese sweets will continue to decline in the future, and the problem of successors will become more and more serious. I'm worried that it will become more and more. I believe that there are many people who inherit formal traditions, so I would like to continue being myself and take the brunt of the criticism, so I would like to encourage young people and those who have never been interested in Japanese sweets to open a Japanese confectionery shop. I think it would be best if people became interested in what it is and expanded the range of Japanese sweets.

<Do you have a motto? ＞

I've always said, "Be who you want to be." No matter what I do, I live my life thinking, ``I like who I am,'' and ``I hate who I am.'' For example, I don't like myself when I get depressed and wonder why I can't do something, so even if I get depressed, I try to be the person I like and can take the next step. I believe that if you continue to be the person you like, you will gradually become the ideal version of yourself.

<About MELE MELE jewelry>

I used to have the impression that diamonds were only worn by people who were really wealthy or married, so I think it's amazing that diamonds can now be worn so easily. Even when something bad happens, I look in the mirror and think, ``Oh, I'm wearing diamonds!''

<Future goals>

I just happened to start posting on SNS, and I think I've had a lot of experiences that I never would have had before. I feel like something like that is my mission to connect with others in the future. I want to be able to share all the good and bad things I've done so far, and become someone that people who are worried can feel safe talking to. I think starting a business is extremely difficult, but succeeding someone else is a different type of difficulty. We all want to change, and we all know we need to change, but there are many who are unable to do anything because they are afraid that changing will make things worse. I want to be someone that people who are worried about can feel safe talking to.

<Jewelry worn by Sakaki>

The new pinky ring is a 2-way type that can also be used as an ear cuff. The wide ring gives you an elegant yet solid presence.

・FLOW Eternity Ring S

・LUSTER Wide Ring L