ryoko [massage + boutique].
They understand what I’m saying. This is, for me, very happy.
a conversation.
[July 9, 2016]
> I’ve been thinking…why Berlin, why right now.
Did you watch “B Movie: Lust and Sound”? It’s very interesting. Even now, it’s so anti-culture, both major and minor, there’s a anti-mentality. I have some very nice beautiful things [in the shop], but they don't understand, because it’s different. But I understand now. It’s different. It’s cool, they think, but it’s actually very rough.
> In B-Movie, they say that the time of Berlin was back then, in the seventies and eighties, and that it is over. But I think the pride of Berlin culture is still present now, at least there is a pride to try and still be anti culture – even pretend – to live up to that label. This shop isn’t anti culture, not necessarily.
When I think of Paris, I think it would be much easier, they also have subtle taste, and they love eating, and have a very rich culture, but here it’s just a different culture. You know, sometimes I feel – my French friends come and ask, do they [Germans] understand [this Japanese culture]? And, not much. But for me, it’s a hobby. It’s just for my life.
> Can you remind me how many years you were in Paris?
Three years, thirteen years ago. And then I went to London for a bit, went back to Tokyo, and then to Sydney, and through India I came here. But now I’ve been here for four years. I want to stay, but also, I don't know – maybe it’s my age. I was very curious before: what’s going on outside, very much looking for something else. But I guess now I’m in the inside, and I have my work. This is for me a new challenge. If I can stay here I’m happy. Also I’m lucky to work, it’s great to be able to stay here and enjoy life and work. It’s no stress.
> So Berlin makes that easy to do?
I don't know, maybe it’s my age and current situation. It’s timing. And also, there’s a very organic movement – became more about yoga – and it was not happening here twenty years ago. But I think it is now. I think timing and chance also are very important.
> I’ve been thinking…why Berlin, why right now.
Did you watch “B Movie: Lust and Sound”? It’s very interesting. Even now, it’s so anti-culture, both major and minor, there’s a anti-mentality. I have some very nice beautiful things [in the shop], but they don't understand, because it’s different. But I understand now. It’s different. It’s cool, they think, but it’s actually very rough.
> In B-Movie, they say that the time of Berlin was back then, in the seventies and eighties, and that it is over. But I think the pride of Berlin culture is still present now, at least there is a pride to try and still be anti culture – even pretend – to live up to that label. This shop isn’t anti culture, not necessarily.
When I think of Paris, I think it would be much easier, they also have subtle taste, and they love eating, and have a very rich culture, but here it’s just a different culture. You know, sometimes I feel – my French friends come and ask, do they [Germans] understand [this Japanese culture]? And, not much. But for me, it’s a hobby. It’s just for my life.
> Can you remind me how many years you were in Paris?
Three years, thirteen years ago. And then I went to London for a bit, went back to Tokyo, and then to Sydney, and through India I came here. But now I’ve been here for four years. I want to stay, but also, I don't know – maybe it’s my age. I was very curious before: what’s going on outside, very much looking for something else. But I guess now I’m in the inside, and I have my work. This is for me a new challenge. If I can stay here I’m happy. Also I’m lucky to work, it’s great to be able to stay here and enjoy life and work. It’s no stress.
> So Berlin makes that easy to do?
I don't know, maybe it’s my age and current situation. It’s timing. And also, there’s a very organic movement – became more about yoga – and it was not happening here twenty years ago. But I think it is now. I think timing and chance also are very important.
> Berliners don't spend as much time for food, much less for tea and incense.
I used to do more massage therapy [only]. I didn't have space to sell, just [space] for massage purposes. It’s quite new for me to have people in a store. In terms of the massage, also, it’s very interesting. I used to work in Sydney – it’s so different. Of course it depends on the people, but most of the time they just need a massage, “I want this, there, harder,” but here [in Berlin] it’s not [that kind of demand]. They have an awareness of connection and the whole body. They understand what I’m saying. This is, for me, very happy. Just for me, it was hard to explain that the pain doesn't come from just there [where it hurts], and they just wanted a machine, and it’s not [supposed to be just that], you know. So I’m happy for people to just understand. Also [Berlin is] so international! Also here the rent is not so cheap, but you can’t have this space in Paris, it’s impossible. I know also lots of people are suffering from not making money because there is no work, no competition. I don't know, for me especially, I’m just so lucky, I guess.
I’ve always wanted to go to New York, I want to go, but I’ve never been. I was almost going to go before I went to Paris and Sydney…Lots of New Yorkers also come here. Another friend of mine, she used to spend the summer here. It’s interesting, it’s so attracting.
> Berlin?
Yeah, it seems so, so much space. And I don't go to much nightlife, but here is very…
> Do you feel like you have freedom here? I feel like one thing is you’re not really judged. I almost feel a pressure in Tokyo or New York – you’re always seen and judged.
It’s true, Tokyo is a bit…I was in Paris and Tokyo but I kind of forget what it was like. For me, it’s just out of the question to work for a company. They have a kind of status that they want to show. And I think life there is [psychologically] poor, because they always have to work, but for them it’s just normal.
> I was going to ask you about what’s hard about maintaining the shop, but I realize that the massage is your main and the shop is actually just you.
I’m very lucky. I can only do it [the shop] because I have the massage therapy.
> In New York the question or worry that they always have is that they want a more creative job, not creating enough. I think this environment nurtures creation just for the sake of creation. Not only does no one judge each other, but the norm is that you are expected to be creating something.
It’s very cheap and the quality is not so bad. But also you need discipline, otherwise it’s very easy to just take a day off.
I used to do more massage therapy [only]. I didn't have space to sell, just [space] for massage purposes. It’s quite new for me to have people in a store. In terms of the massage, also, it’s very interesting. I used to work in Sydney – it’s so different. Of course it depends on the people, but most of the time they just need a massage, “I want this, there, harder,” but here [in Berlin] it’s not [that kind of demand]. They have an awareness of connection and the whole body. They understand what I’m saying. This is, for me, very happy. Just for me, it was hard to explain that the pain doesn't come from just there [where it hurts], and they just wanted a machine, and it’s not [supposed to be just that], you know. So I’m happy for people to just understand. Also [Berlin is] so international! Also here the rent is not so cheap, but you can’t have this space in Paris, it’s impossible. I know also lots of people are suffering from not making money because there is no work, no competition. I don't know, for me especially, I’m just so lucky, I guess.
I’ve always wanted to go to New York, I want to go, but I’ve never been. I was almost going to go before I went to Paris and Sydney…Lots of New Yorkers also come here. Another friend of mine, she used to spend the summer here. It’s interesting, it’s so attracting.
> Berlin?
Yeah, it seems so, so much space. And I don't go to much nightlife, but here is very…
> Do you feel like you have freedom here? I feel like one thing is you’re not really judged. I almost feel a pressure in Tokyo or New York – you’re always seen and judged.
It’s true, Tokyo is a bit…I was in Paris and Tokyo but I kind of forget what it was like. For me, it’s just out of the question to work for a company. They have a kind of status that they want to show. And I think life there is [psychologically] poor, because they always have to work, but for them it’s just normal.
> I was going to ask you about what’s hard about maintaining the shop, but I realize that the massage is your main and the shop is actually just you.
I’m very lucky. I can only do it [the shop] because I have the massage therapy.
> In New York the question or worry that they always have is that they want a more creative job, not creating enough. I think this environment nurtures creation just for the sake of creation. Not only does no one judge each other, but the norm is that you are expected to be creating something.
It’s very cheap and the quality is not so bad. But also you need discipline, otherwise it’s very easy to just take a day off.
ryoko-berlin.com/
Boutique: Open every Saturday 11:00 - 18:00
Massage: By appointment only
[email protected]
Boutique: Open every Saturday 11:00 - 18:00
Massage: By appointment only
[email protected]