uRn.Chai&Tea
This time, we interviewed Mr. Buntaro Miyata, director of "uRn.", which will be catering aromatic organic tea at the "UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn." event starting on Saturday, January 22nd.
――First, please tell us about how you started, which is a question we've asked everyone so far.
Miyata: I was originally in the fashion world, but I've always wanted to open a restaurant. Although the term "unisex" is now widespread, I believed that food and drink was a field that wouldn't categorize customers and could welcome people from all genres, so that's how I started on this path.
――There are many types of food and drink establishments, such as cafes and izakayas. Why chai?
Miyata: Actually, I can't drink coffee. So, when I go to cafes, my options are limited. When I went to San Francisco, I happened to find a cafe that served chai and tea, and that's when I thought, "It would be nice if there was a place in Japan where I could drink delicious chai." While working in the fashion world, I offered chai at pop-up events and catering. As I continued to meet people who resonated with my idea, I wanted to "create a place where I could share time with such people," and that's how I opened my current shop in September 2021.
Kono: So, it started because you couldn't drink coffee. Indeed, as Mr. Miyata says, there are hardly any specialty chai shops. I'm very happy to have a place nearby where I can drink various kinds of chai.
――What was the idea behind naming it "uRn."?
Miyata: "uRn." means a pot, and a pot has two aspects: it can be used as a tool, but also displayed as an art piece. I thought that was really good. I feel that pots and humans are similar; humans also have various aspects, like being happy or enjoying things. I wanted to be a presence that always gently embraces those aspects, and that's why I chose this name for the shop.
Kono: That's a wonderful idea that reflects Mr. Miyata's good nature. It's because of that sentiment that uRn. is always such a warm space whenever you visit. I imagine many people visit for the first time. What do you pay particular attention to when creating your shop?
Miyata: Just as a pot has two sides, I wanted the shop to incorporate various material elements, both nostalgic and modern. For example, the tables were made by combining French antiques with a Mortex material top. It's like a fusion of nostalgia and newness. I've scattered elements throughout the space that are neither old nor new, and not specific to any country.
――What kind of attention do you pay to your chai?
Miyata: Chai is not as well-known as coffee, so I think many people don't know what it is. First, I believe it's important to explain what chai is and how it's made so that people can easily pick it up in their daily lives. Also, packaging that makes people want to pick it up is a very important factor, I think.
Kono: I remember being surprised when I first drank uRn.'s chai, thinking, "Chai can be this delicious!" I don't really have many opportunities to drink authentic chai, and I regretted not encountering it sooner.
Miyata: There are various theories, but originally, chai began when tea farmers in India or Sri Lanka, after selling their tea leaves for black tea to countries like England and France, used the remaining "dust" tea leaves and experimented with adding spices to find a way to make it delicious for themselves. It's truly at the root of sustainability. That also connects to UNDECORATED's "consideration for the environment."
――You also participated in the previous "UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi." What do you think of events that bring together different industries like this?
Miyata: I strongly resonate with what Mr. Kono is communicating. I think the moments when people feel happiness differ. Some feel it by wearing clothes, others by arranging flowers, or by taking a relaxing break after eating something delicious. These core ideas resonate with me, and I want to convey them to the customers at this event as well.
Kono: What I'm aiming for right now is exactly that: "creating a space where people can experience the same worldview, no matter which entrance they come through."
With the rise of social media, the perception of fashion has expanded greatly beyond just clothing. It now includes things like delicious food, beautiful scenery, art, and interior design. We can share experiences that we find good as part of fashion. As UNDECORATED, I want to propose not just individual clothes, but the lifestyle that people experience when wearing those clothes.
――Finally, please tell us about your future aspirations.
Miyata: It's just that single-minded desire to live happily every day. I don't know what the future holds, and my feelings change daily, so I want to cherish things that make me feel comfortable and enrich my heart, and the people around me. I don't really have a strong desire to expand the shop; rather, I want to increase the number of people who visit here and those who resonate with the shop's atmosphere.
Over three sessions, we interviewed creators participating in "UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn."
"UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn." will be held from Saturday, January 22nd. We propose a new lifestyle space born from the resonance of each concept. Please come and experience it.
Profile
Buntaro Miyata
Born in Hokkaido. Has been involved in fashion for a long time, performing brand consulting, sales, and PR. Started uRn.chAi&TeA in 2019. Started with catering and opened a shop in Ebisu in September 2021.
"UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn."
Date: 1/22 (Sat) - 1/28 (Fri) 1PM - 7PM
Location: groundfloor Gallery 2F, 1-8-1 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Contact: 03-3794-4037
Contents:
- Sale of works by Kansai Noguchi
- Sale of UNDECORATED 22SS
- Sale of whole flowers (limited to 2 days: 1/22 (Sat) and 1/23 (Sun))
- Sale of uRn. organic tea BAWA (limited to 2 days: 1/22 (Sat) and 1/23 (Sun))
For more details, please also see this article.
POP UP Event Announcement
UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn.
――First, please tell us about how you started, which is a question we've asked everyone so far.
Miyata: I was originally in the fashion world, but I've always wanted to open a restaurant. Although the term "unisex" is now widespread, I believed that food and drink was a field that wouldn't categorize customers and could welcome people from all genres, so that's how I started on this path.
――There are many types of food and drink establishments, such as cafes and izakayas. Why chai?
Miyata: Actually, I can't drink coffee. So, when I go to cafes, my options are limited. When I went to San Francisco, I happened to find a cafe that served chai and tea, and that's when I thought, "It would be nice if there was a place in Japan where I could drink delicious chai." While working in the fashion world, I offered chai at pop-up events and catering. As I continued to meet people who resonated with my idea, I wanted to "create a place where I could share time with such people," and that's how I opened my current shop in September 2021.
Kono: So, it started because you couldn't drink coffee. Indeed, as Mr. Miyata says, there are hardly any specialty chai shops. I'm very happy to have a place nearby where I can drink various kinds of chai.
――What was the idea behind naming it "uRn."?
Miyata: "uRn." means a pot, and a pot has two aspects: it can be used as a tool, but also displayed as an art piece. I thought that was really good. I feel that pots and humans are similar; humans also have various aspects, like being happy or enjoying things. I wanted to be a presence that always gently embraces those aspects, and that's why I chose this name for the shop.
Kono: That's a wonderful idea that reflects Mr. Miyata's good nature. It's because of that sentiment that uRn. is always such a warm space whenever you visit. I imagine many people visit for the first time. What do you pay particular attention to when creating your shop?
Miyata: Just as a pot has two sides, I wanted the shop to incorporate various material elements, both nostalgic and modern. For example, the tables were made by combining French antiques with a Mortex material top. It's like a fusion of nostalgia and newness. I've scattered elements throughout the space that are neither old nor new, and not specific to any country.
――What kind of attention do you pay to your chai?
Miyata: Chai is not as well-known as coffee, so I think many people don't know what it is. First, I believe it's important to explain what chai is and how it's made so that people can easily pick it up in their daily lives. Also, packaging that makes people want to pick it up is a very important factor, I think.
Kono: I remember being surprised when I first drank uRn.'s chai, thinking, "Chai can be this delicious!" I don't really have many opportunities to drink authentic chai, and I regretted not encountering it sooner.
Miyata: There are various theories, but originally, chai began when tea farmers in India or Sri Lanka, after selling their tea leaves for black tea to countries like England and France, used the remaining "dust" tea leaves and experimented with adding spices to find a way to make it delicious for themselves. It's truly at the root of sustainability. That also connects to UNDECORATED's "consideration for the environment."
――You also participated in the previous "UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi." What do you think of events that bring together different industries like this?
Miyata: I strongly resonate with what Mr. Kono is communicating. I think the moments when people feel happiness differ. Some feel it by wearing clothes, others by arranging flowers, or by taking a relaxing break after eating something delicious. These core ideas resonate with me, and I want to convey them to the customers at this event as well.
Kono: What I'm aiming for right now is exactly that: "creating a space where people can experience the same worldview, no matter which entrance they come through."
With the rise of social media, the perception of fashion has expanded greatly beyond just clothing. It now includes things like delicious food, beautiful scenery, art, and interior design. We can share experiences that we find good as part of fashion. As UNDECORATED, I want to propose not just individual clothes, but the lifestyle that people experience when wearing those clothes.
――Finally, please tell us about your future aspirations.
Miyata: It's just that single-minded desire to live happily every day. I don't know what the future holds, and my feelings change daily, so I want to cherish things that make me feel comfortable and enrich my heart, and the people around me. I don't really have a strong desire to expand the shop; rather, I want to increase the number of people who visit here and those who resonate with the shop's atmosphere.
Over three sessions, we interviewed creators participating in "UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn."
"UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn." will be held from Saturday, January 22nd. We propose a new lifestyle space born from the resonance of each concept. Please come and experience it.
Profile
Buntaro Miyata
Born in Hokkaido. Has been involved in fashion for a long time, performing brand consulting, sales, and PR. Started uRn.chAi&TeA in 2019. Started with catering and opened a shop in Ebisu in September 2021.
"UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn."
Date: 1/22 (Sat) - 1/28 (Fri) 1PM - 7PM
Location: groundfloor Gallery 2F, 1-8-1 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Contact: 03-3794-4037
Contents:
- Sale of works by Kansai Noguchi
- Sale of UNDECORATED 22SS
- Sale of whole flowers (limited to 2 days: 1/22 (Sat) and 1/23 (Sun))
- Sale of uRn. organic tea BAWA (limited to 2 days: 1/22 (Sat) and 1/23 (Sun))
For more details, please also see this article.
POP UP Event Announcement
UNDECORATED meets Kansai Noguchi with whole & uRn.
