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» IN Co., Ltd. Apparel brand Knuth Mar 3rd anniversary project / The path to becoming a comedian was “scary”, but I still believed in myself — Okazu Club and Knuth Marf, each walking their own pathless path

IN Co., Ltd. Apparel brand Knuth Mar 3rd anniversary project / The path to becoming a comedian was “scary”, but I still believed in myself — Okazu Club and Knuth Marf, each walking their own pathless path

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[IN Co., Ltd.] Apparel brand Knuth Mar 3rd anniversary project / The path to becoming a comedian was “scary”, but I still believed in myself — Okazu Club and Knuth Marf, the pathless path they each walk ​
IN Co., Ltd. Press release: November 15, 2024 Apparel brand Knuth Mar 3rd anniversary project / The path to becoming a comedian was “scary”, but I still believed in myself — Okazu Club and Knuth Marf, each walking their own pathless path Knuth Marf 3rd anniversary project Apparel brand Knuth Marf will celebrate its third anniversary in November 2024. This time, as part of the 3rd anniversary project, we are planning a roundtable discussion with Knuth Marf director ChiEmi and CEO Nakai, as well as guests from different industries who are expected to have further success in the future. The second installment is Yui P-san (hereinafter referred to as Yui-P) and Ocarina-san (hereinafter referred to as Ocarina) from the comedy duo Okazu Club. Apparel, comedy – we take a closer look at the journeys of these two artists who have been active in the world of living horses.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/79526/10/79526-10-ef58677b655d6171d04f8817e0beb84f-3900×2600.jpg People who hone their “specialties” will survive The studio where the snapshot was taken was filled with cheerful laughter. When ChiEmi said, “It was a fun shoot where we couldn’t stop laughing from beginning to end,” Yui-P humbly replied, “Everyone made it easy for us to shoot, and we had fun doing it.” I could feel the peaceful atmosphere between the two. After the shoot was over, I asked Knuth Marf what he thought of his clothes. Ocarina, who says she doesn’t like the prickly feeling of knitwear, tried on Knuth Marf’s knitwear and was surprised, saying, “Even when the knitwear touches my bare skin, it doesn’t sting at all.” Also, when the two members of Okazu Club usually look for clothes, they start by looking for the size that fits them rather than looking for a design they like, but Knuth Marf’s clothes are sized so that they can comfortably wear them. I say I’m happy. He continues that what was most impressive was the pricing. YuiP: When I saw the clothes at the fitting, I thought, “Wow!” But overall I was surprised at the reasonable price. Ocarina: Eh, isn’t it hundreds of thousands of dollars? YuiP: It’s not hundreds of thousands. The knit I’m wearing now costs 14,300 yen. Why is it so cheap? ChiEmi: That’s what I’m particular about. We don’t want it to be too expensive, so we keep it affordable. After all, I also want more people to be able to enjoy fashion while being kind to their wallets. YuiP: It’s a kind and thoughtful approach to the customers. Nakai: Are the two members of Okazu Club particularly particular about their work? YuiP: In my case, I think it’s better not to be picky. I feel like I can do anything. Even without being asked, I started acting from the viewer’s point of view, thinking things like, “Maybe it would be better to create something like this.” Recently, yes. In the past, I was very edgy, so I stuck to my own ways, thinking, “What do you guys know?” (lol) Ocarina: I’m not particularly picky about what I do, but I never do anything I don’t want to do. ChiEmi: What kind of work is that? Ocarina: It’s a great one-shot gag. Maybe they thought I could do it because of my easy-going appearance, but I had been offered such a job before, so I tried it, but it turned out to be a terrible experience. YuiP: “The Hero of Laughter.” On a Fuji TV program. That’s terrible. There was a show where people like Mr. Kukki, Mr. Kawashima, and Mr. Robert Akiyama made people laugh in their strong style, for example, by going into a classroom with a lot of extra students playing students and making a fuss. And Oka-chan was chosen (lol). Ocarina: Of course it was incredibly smooth. Mr. Fujimoto from FUJIWARA said to me, “You really were a hero.” Everyone: (laughs). Nakai: Everyone has things they’re not good at. Do you both try to face things that you are not good at? Ocarina: I’ve tried it a little bit. I thought that if I practiced Ogiri every day, I would be able to do it, so I practiced it during the coronavirus pandemic. YuiP: Ah, that’s right. That’s great. Ocarina: But I got bored with it, so I stopped playing it after 2 or 3 plays.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/79526/10/79526-10-4bd7f00f4c21d0f54fc07dea5cab6d24-3900×2600.jpg Yui P: Rather than overcoming our weaknesses, we spend our energy focusing on what we are good at and developing those areas to make them our strengths. In this world, everyone is skillful, and the people who are able to make their strengths out of what they are good at are successful. When I first saw a story by the Japan Electric Federation, I was so shocked by how funny it was that I thought, “There’s no way we can do this anymore, I don’t want to do a skit.” Ocarina: Yes, I really said that. YuiP: But now, I’m thinking that it would be great if we could make use of our uniqueness that other people don’t have and do a comedy comedy that could give us the same kind of impact that I had back then. I think it would be great if we could find our solid strengths.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/79526/10/79526-10-68438043067ee147b7bc39103528a9b4-3900×2600.jpg ChiEmi: That’s right. I think you will be strong if you can use what you are good at as a weapon. Ocarina: What are ChiEmi’s strengths? ChiEmi: Hmm… I guess I’m very particular and won’t bend (lol). Everyone is stubborn… Nakai: Number one… (lol). YuiP: She’s the most stubborn one (lol). Nakai: You have your own correct answer. YuiP: I guess because they understand that, the people around them support them. I like that they respect each other and don’t push each other. ChiEmi: That’s right. Each one is independent. Everyone at Knuth Marf specializes in different areas, and each has their own field. We both respect each other’s work. The New Year’s card says “It will sell this year” Before becoming a comedian, Ocarina worked as a nurse for about four years. After witnessing the death of her grandmother when she was in the second year of junior high school, she decided to become a nurse. When I asked him if he wasn’t scared to become a comedian after passing the national exam and getting a job, he replied matter-of-factly, “I wasn’t scared, because I have the qualifications.” In contrast, Yui-P says, “It was really scary,” with a strong tone. I was worried because my contemporaries, including Natsuko Yokozawa, were selling out one after another. YuiP: From around midnight until the time of the first train, I was showing off material at the Yoshimoto headquarters. When I take the first train home from Seibu-Shinjuku Station, it’s full of people who are about to go to work. As I was heading in the opposite direction by myself, watching people getting off the train full of clothes to go to work, I got scared and thought, “What if I don’t sell like this?” Nakai: How did you overcome that fear? YuiP: For comedians, there are times when “Sanma no Manma,” “Gurunai,” “Omoshiro-sou,” and “Gakishi”’s “Yama-1 Grand Prix” are the gateway to success, and they have left some sort of mark. It was said that the people who did it would be able to sell it. At that time, we had made it to the final selection for “Omoshiro-so,” and we were determined to leave our mark here. Around the time of the 8th or 9th interview, everyone had decided to appear and came to the meeting in casual clothes, but we were the only ones wearing our best comedy costumes and practicing in the hallway of the TV station until the last minute. In the end, I was able to appear on the show and win. Ocarina: Yui-P doesn’t usually come forward. But this time, after the story was over, I was confident that Yui-P could definitely win. The results were announced by Tetsuro Degawa, who threw a pie in the winner’s face, and Yui-P said, “I’ll come forward and take the pie.” I don’t usually say things like that. Even in the New Year’s card that year, there was just one phrase written: “It’s going to sell this year.” I remember that very well.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/79526/10/79526-10-8a81722f377ae87d5e8c910304871f79-1476×1108.jpg Actual New Year’s card photo ChiEmi: You were so prepared that you were confident that you could definitely win. It’s cool to see someone win with strong will and effort, and then really sell from there. Nakai: Even if you can win, it won’t be easy to become popular in the entertainment industry. YuiP: No, the apparel industry is a tough world, isn’t it? It’s not a given that we’re celebrating our third anniversary like this. What is the secret behind Knuth Marf’s continued existence for three years? ChiEmi: I guess in a good way, people aren’t aware of the apparel brands around them. Even in the story, stories about other brands rarely come up. I think it’s because the Knuth Marf members are a group of people who originally worked in different industries, so they don’t know the common sense of the apparel industry, and they create their own correct answers one by one. YuiP: It’s strong that we can create our own path without being aware of those around us. ChiEmi: That’s why I’m always conscious of “something new and interesting.” My teacher said to me, “I’m glad we’re together” Okazu Club was originally a trio. At that time, the people around him were chanting, “The second Mori Sanchu has appeared.” However, one person left, and another person entered, but in the end, they left out, leaving Yui-P and Ocarina as a duo. “I don’t think anyone fits in with Okazu Club anymore.” Among the whispers, one person said, “I’m glad we’re together.” Mr. Nabisco Yamada has been involved in activities mainly for young people as a live composer at Tokyo Yoshimoto, and has continued to protect the Yoshimoto live scene for about 30 years. Mr. Yamada was behind the success of Okazu Club. YuiP: I still remember Yamada-san saying that he was glad that we were together. Mr. Yamada is an incredible person. I love Godzilla and have been to see “Pacific Rim” over 90 times. I went to New York to see Godzilla, and even though I can’t speak English, I can speak English on the way to the movie theater so I can take a taxi to the movie theater. Although he is a strange person, Yoshimoto is an amazing person who is loved by all the comedians and is a mentor to us as well. I’d cry if Yamada-san died, but I think everyone would make jokes for a minute in front of his coffin. Ocarina: Yamada-san once praised the material, and that made me think that Yui-P and I could do it together. Nakai: That’s a hot episode. Until then, were you not confident about working together? Ocarina: There was a writer who helped us when we first started working together, and thanks to her, we were able to come up with a good story. It might have been quite difficult if he wasn’t there. Nakai: I met Mr. Yamada and other writers, and the Okazu Club is what it is today.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/79526/10/79526-10-817bf4c67143f3aa1316260914af6a11-2048×1365.jpg YuiP: How did the three founding members of Knuth Marf (Nakai, Izumi, and ChiEmi) meet? Nakai: Izumi and I were a couple, and Izumi and ChiEmi knew each other. Before starting Knuth Marf, ChiEmi and Izumi became friends when Izumi and I were both working together. ChiEmi: I remember well the first day I met Koto-chan (Izumi). Since none of the cafes were empty, I went to an izakaya for a lemon sour drink for around 165 yen from noon. So we talked about wanting to do something together and we hit it off. YuiP: We hit it off from the beginning. ChiEmi-san, wasn’t it difficult because Nakai-san and Izumi-san were dating? Even though we were all doing our best in club activities, you suddenly started dating someone and you were like, “Huh?” (laughs). Ocarina: Certainly. If my friend has a boyfriend at her house, I won’t go to her house. Everyone: (laughs). ChiEmi: There was nothing. Although we are work partners, we are close family members, so we feel like we are family. The three of us will also travel together! YuiP: Yeah~ We’re really good friends! They’re all adults. YuiP, Ocarina, what they like about each other Nakai: Lastly, is there anything ChiEmi would like to ask the two members of Okazu Club? ChiEmi: Through today’s shoot, I could feel how close the two of you are. So, I would love to hear what you both like about each other! Ocarina: You have a very loving nature towards people. Friendly. I keep my mind closed, so it’s been a great help. Also, when it comes time to go home, he makes it clear that he’s going home, so I’m grateful that he refuses invitations from other people. Also, I sometimes feel unwell. When I want to rest, she gets sick. Since I’m not making any material, it’s hard for me to say that I want to take a break. YuiP: No, that’s weird. It’s not just the places that are convenient for me. Everyone: (laughs). YuiP: I guess what I like about Oka-chan is that she forgives everything. For example, even if I committed a major crime, Ocarina would probably hide me in the closet of her house. There’s something extremely sweet about my family. Ocarina: Only within my family, right? YuiP: Am I in? Ocarina: Only within my family, right? YuiP: Thank you. Nakai: It’s included (lol). Although I won’t say it clearly (lol). Ocarina: Compared to Yui-P, it might be a little more forgiving. YuiP is a passionate type. YuiP: You don’t have to say that. ChiEmi: The balance between the two of you is so wonderful (lol).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/79526/10/79526-10-9198b6f8b064b432be2dfdf6489155c0-3900×2600.jpg YuiP: Thank you. What kind of existence do Knuth Marf members have to you, ChiEmi? ChiEmi: When I face a wall, everyone always saves me. Mr. Nakai looks for solutions and protects us. Koto-chan is a mental stabilizer and motivates me with her heartfelt words. Morimo (Assistant Director Knuth Marf) supports me with kindness and consideration, acknowledging everything. Recently, we have added new members, which is even more reassuring. YuiP: Isn’t this a really wonderful team? (Instagram followers) Did you celebrate reaching 100,000 followers? Nakai: No, I haven’t. YuiP: You should. Nakai: Well, let’s do it with 200,000 people. ChiEmi: Yes, we will do our best to reach 200,000 people!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/79526/10/79526-10-8de0808ee577538875f9d4e182cd5da1-3900×2600.jpg Side dish club A comedy duo consisting of Ocarina, born in 1984 and from Miyazaki Prefecture, and Yui-P, born in 1986 and from Hyogo Prefecture. Formed in 2009. In January 2015, I appeared on Nippon Television’s “Guru Guru Ninety-Nine” special corner “Welcome to Omoshiro-so!” After winning the competition, media exposure increased. Appeared in many variety shows such as “Itte Q to the End of the World” (NTV). Yui-P has also appeared in works such as the movie version of “Ossan’s Love ~LOVE or DEAD~” and Ocarina has also performed in works such as “Tensai Bakabon” (NTV), and is also doing acting work.

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