In the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, artist Tomihiro Kono embodies the essence of the Buddhist concept of “shogyō-mujou”, which translates to ‘nothing stays the same,’ as he masterfully combines tradition and innovation in the realm of Japanese hair art. Photographer Prissilya Junewin and writer Makoto Kikuchi embarked on a captivating journey to Tokyo, the third stop in their exploration of this unique art form. This adventure follows their visits to geiko wigmakers in Kyoto and a retro-themed salon in Osaka.
Nestled in a tranquil residential area of Tokyo, Tomihiro Kono’s studio resides within an old house, a testament to his ever-evolving lifestyle and artwork. The studio exudes a minimalist aesthetic, with neat rooms that reflect his penchant for orderliness. “Once I finish a project, I have to clean up the whole room before I start the next one,” he shares, a recent major project being his role as Björk’s hairstylist during her visit to Japan.
“I have a habit of keeping things in order,” he continues while revealing his private and rarely seen collection of wigs crafted for Björk, meticulously arranged on one of his desks. “I dislike having something in the same place in my room all the time. I like to change the mood.”
Kono’s journey began in the 1990s when he trained at a Harajuku hair salon in Tokyo. He then ventured to London and New York, where he worked as a session stylist with renowned magazines and fashion brands, including Comme des Garçons and Junya Watanabe. Over the past few years, he has established his base in Tokyo, engaging in remote wigmaking projects across the globe.
Reflecting on his nomadic past, Kono remarks, “For a long time, I traveled to many different cities, and I never really had the chance to settle down in one place. So even now, I don’t see myself as a settled person here.”
Kono’s studio is thoughtfully furnished with mobile items like a chair on wheels and a folding table. He explains, “I’ve always had to think about relocating, so this kind of furniture is a natural choice for me. In my studio, I don’t always work in the same spot, and I prefer to move around the room where I feel most comfortable working.”
His day begins early, waking up at 6 am to spend time caring for the plants in his room and feeding the killifish in his garden. “Taking care of my plants is a kind of meditation for me,” he shares. “This is something I never miss, no matter how busy my day is.”
As a self-proclaimed “caffeine addict,” he never skips his morning coffee ritual. After attending to emails and social media, he dives into work around 8 am. “Once I start working, I keep going until I lose focus. I rarely take short breaks. Unless I am working on a big project, I finish work in the afternoon and take a bath. After that, I don’t work.” This meticulous work-and-life balance, akin to a bakery’s operations, has only been recently established. Kono explains, “There were times in the past when I worked without sleeping, but not anymore. On my days off, I don’t work at all; I don’t touch my wigs or even think about it. I feel more balanced this way, and it’s also better for my work.”
Kono’s activities extend beyond wigmaking, embodying his motto “to constantly evolve with the times.” He recently published “Fancy Creatures,” an art book featuring his nature-inspired headpieces, in collaboration with Konomad, a creative studio he co-founded with his partner, photographer Sayaka Maruyama. Konomad not only focuses on publishing but also organizes exhibitions in collaboration with younger artists and hosts offline talk sessions open to all.
“As an artist, I want to remain anonymous, so I don’t make public appearances, but that doesn’t mean I close the door to fans of my work,” says Kono. “I would rather have a lot of young people come to Konomad. I want it to be a gateway for them to approach this closed industry.” Tomihiro Kono’s studio is a testament to his dedication to the evolving art of Japanese hair artistry and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative minds in this unique field.
