I am truly grateful to have received so many awards.
So far, there are 23 in total, 13 in Japan and 10 overseas.
It all started with a silly comment I made: "If I'm going to do it, I might as well aim to be the best in the world."
It's not about business expansion or sales or anything like that, it's hard to put into words, but I think it's something like a dream or a romance, something like that.
In response to such nonsense, the shop team led by my wife stepped up.
So, to start with, I decided to win as many awards as possible from all over the world.
Until now, I was the only one creating the works and handling all the paperwork, but now the shop team handles all the tedious behind-the-scenes work, such as English translations and administrative procedures, so I can just concentrate on creating the works.
As a result of this teamwork, the team has won 10 international awards in just a year and a half.
Thanks to this division of roles, I don't serve customers in the shop, nor do I have any interaction with the outside world, such as sending emails, making phone calls, or posting on social media.
On the other hand, my wife and the shop team, who act as store managers, seem to experience a fair amount of hardship, suffering, and frustration that I, who stay relaxed and secluded in the workshop, don't feel. As a newcomer that doesn't yet have the persuasive power of a long history, KOMA has probably concluded that what it can do now is to build up a track record and reputation.
It seemed like my honest wife's intentions and my foolish remarks came together at just the right time and things started to move.
When you feel frustrated, sad, or angry, don't say anything, just keep quiet and do what you need to do to get results.
My wife has recently taught me that this is what a cool man should be like.
Matsuoka