Tower Records at Utsunomiya PARCO and what Jimmy Scott's 'Smile' taught me
After finishing salon work as a hairdresser, heading to that place
The moment when the busy salon work ends, the scissors are put down, and the tension suddenly eases. Whether I was a novice hairdresser or someone whose footing was gradually becoming solid, that 'relieving time' after work was irreplaceable to me.
For me back then, refreshing at the end of the day meant heading out into the city of Utsunomiya. Utsunomiya PARCO stood tall in the city center. Stepping into the Tower Records floor inside it was my greatest pleasure.
Tower Records at that time had an atmosphere like a 'treasure hunt' for music, different from what it is now. The background music echoing on the floor, the neatly lined-up CD spines, and above all, the listening corner that brought accidental encounters with new music. I would always head to that listening corner, pick up the headphones, and knock on the door of sounds I hadn't heard yet.
I think I was looking for music that was quiet but had a certain warmth, something that could gently wrap around the fatigue of work.
A soul-shaking voice I met at the listening corner
On my way home from work one day, I put the headphones to my ears at the Tower Records listening corner as usual. What played there was 'Smile' sung by Jimmy Scott.
The moment I heard the first phrase, my feet stopped right there.
A singing voice so unique and painfully sad, unlike any vocal I had heard until then. A neutral and delicate tenor-alto resonance that carried both the innocence of a boy and the bottomless sorrow of life at the same time.
'What on earth is this voice?'
Struck by a shock that tightened my chest, I immediately picked up the CD and headed to the register without hesitation. It was an instant purchase.
I returned home and immediately set the CD in the player. And from there, how many times, how many times did I repeat that 'Smile'?
In the silence of the night, Jimmy Scott's singing voice resonated as if soaking into my exhausted heart. It wasn't just beautiful music. There was an overwhelming persuasiveness and melancholy that could only be produced by someone who had actually gone through the harsh trials and unbearable pain of life.
He was a singer who was gifted with that beautiful voice due to a special condition called Klinefelter syndrome, spent a long time in obscurity, and had his musical value rediscovered in his later years. Listening to his version of 'Smile', the weight of the act of 'smiling even while tears are about to fall' as described in the lyrics, was conveyed not by understanding it with my head, but painfully from the core of my body.
Memories of 'Limelight' reviving in my mind
While repeating Jimmy Scott's 'Smile' over and over, a scene from a movie naturally revived vividly in my mind.
It is the masterpiece film 'Limelight', directed by and starring Charles Chaplin.
The interaction between Calvero, an old clown who once took the world by storm but is now on the decline, and Terry, a young ballerina who was on the verge of despair, depicted in the play. The glory and frustration of life, aging and rebirth, and the pride and sorrow of an artist that never fades. Every time the melody composed by Chaplin himself (the theme song that later became the origin of 'Smile' and the music in the play) played, my heart was filled with a moving emotion that tightened my chest.
'What you need in life is courage, imagination, and a little bit of money.'
I chewed on the depth of these words spoken in the movie many times, overlapping them with my own days as a hairdresser.
The loneliness behind the glamorous stage, and the nobility of human beings who try to smile and look forward in the end no matter how crushed they are. The message Chaplin put into the movie and the melancholy that Jimmy Scott embodied with the life of his voice resonated deeply within me.
An important song for me, and to the present
From that moment I met it at the Tower Records in Utsunomiya PARCO, Jimmy Scott's 'Smile' became an 'important song' that stays with me in every phase of my life.
The job of a hairdresser is to always face people and deliver smiles. However, no matter how much I smile while serving customers, there are nights when my own heart feels like it's about to break or I stand still in deep confusion.
At such times, I remember the scene at that Tower Records listening corner, the night breeze of Utsunomiya, and Jimmy Scott's trembling singing voice.
'Smile though your heart is aching. Smile even though it's breaking.'
That line of the lyrics is not a cruel encouragement to just endure and force a smile. Because he knows pain, he teaches the beauty of human beings who try to smile toward tomorrow while still embracing that pain.
Time flows, the Utsunomiya PARCO building has disappeared, and the Tower Records of those days is no longer there. However, the coldness of the air I felt on my way home from work, the one-and-only voice of Jimmy Scott that flowed from the headphones, and the memory of the moment my heart became hot are still vividly alive within me.
I want to continue walking my own path with this singing voice that makes me believe there is always light beyond the tears. I am truly grateful for meeting this song and for my past self.
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The concept of Atelier’s “m”
It is a “place for the collaborative creation of beauty” that exists only in that moment.
Many yukata and kimonos, carefully selected hair ornaments, and accessories.
From among them, through dialogue, we finish a coordination on the spot that brings out the maximum charm of “the you of now.” Sometimes, we create an obi clip or arrange a hair ornament right there—.
Everything is to vividly weave the memories of that day, of that time.
What I value is the sense that the participating guests, models, photographers, and we ourselves share the same space and atmosphere, and together “weave” a work or story.
“Atelier’s “m”” Producer
Nice to meet you! I am the producer of “Atelier’s “m””.
Until now, I have walked my path with the belief of standing by the hearts of approximately 30,000 guests from both Japan and abroad, one by one, and drawing out the radiance they inherently possess to the fullest.
Also,
to embody the “fusion of beauty, heart, and traditional Japanese culture,” I have combined specialized techniques with psychological approaches, pouring my passion into creating a “special space of peace of mind” for all our guests.
Specialized knowledge to stand by our guests
To sincerely face each and every guest, I have honed a wide range of specialized skills from multifaceted perspectives.
Beauty Techniques: Beautician, Kimono Dresser, Hair and Makeup Artist, Nail Technician, Gel Nail Certification
Branding & Space Production: Bridal Coordinator, Color Coordinator, Real Estate Notary (utilized for space and location selection)
Heart-centered Care: Certified Psychological Counselor
Background
Trust and Achievements
The space created together with our guests has been highly evaluated, and we are supported by many people.
International Recognition: Certified in the “top 10%” for two consecutive years on an overseas travel site.
Customer Satisfaction: Won “No. 1 Customer Satisfaction” for two consecutive years at the North Kanto Inbound Forum.
Proof of Trust: Received over 980 reviews on Google and maintained a “five-star” rating.
Regional Contribution: Actively participating in prefectural projects. (for two consecutive years)
Career: As a former manager of a kimono salon, I dedicated myself to creating spaces that bring traditional culture to life in the modern day.
Thoughts as a producer
My work is not just about grooming appearances, but standing by each individual.
By utilizing my perspective as a “Certified Psychological Counselor” to prepare a space where guests can feel at ease and open their hearts, I help unleash the radiance hidden within them.
Also, based on my experience as a “former kimono salon manager,” I aim to make traditional Japanese beauty accessible to everyone, fusing it with new things, and capturing the best of the wearer at that moment.
Inviting you to a special experience that will gently remain in your heart.
May the space of “Atelier’s “m”” become an irreplaceable place for those who visit and those involved.
I am truly looking forward to the day I can meet you all.
Cheers to my 30th anniversary in the beauty industry 🥂
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