Satomi Matsuoka (Sen Co. Ltd.)

The treasure of "connection"

The happiness found in the family created by working together.

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When thinking about their future after graduating university, many may consider entering the workforce, continuing postgraduate studies, or another option entirely. When you consider what path to take in life, what do you prioritise? In January of 2021, we conducted an interview with Satomi Matsuoka, who prioritises interpersonal connection and decided to work at Sen Co. Ltd. in Akita.

Ms. Matsuoka, from Ani, Northern Akita City, studied at Akita International University after graduating from Odate Homei High School. While in university, she took internships at a large company in Tokyo, the Akita Prefectural Office, and Sen Co. Ltd. She is now working at Sen Co. Ltd., where the root of 'Akita Beauties': Kawabata Geisha was revived as Akita Maiko. Ms. Matsuoka spoke of her love for the company with a smile, so hearing her story may help you when making choices for your future.

Authors: Risa Shimamiya, Georgia Conechado

January 2021

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Working in Akita

―Does working in Akita have any demerits?

There are really no demerits. In my first year of joining the workforce, I saw my friend who works in the city's Instagram posts. I felt envious about being able to hang out in the city, but I don't really want that now. Actually, I think I may have been helped by how relaxed time is in Akita.

Everyone is extremely busy working, and COVID-19 has had a big impact, so I've noticed a lot more posts such as "I want to go back to Akita" or "Tokyo is so trying".

―What are the merits of working in Akita?

Of course, Akita itself is small. This corresponds to the size of my company, and the town, so you can really get to know various people. Even when just walking around, strangers will start conversation. I think it's very interesting to be able to get to know others so soon like this.

―Do you think you'll want to work in Akita forever?

If I can, I want to stay in Akita forever. That is because people in Akita are kind and warm. All I can really say is "the kindness of the people here makes me want to work in Akita forever".

Sen Co. Ltd.

―What kind of company is Sen?

There is a phrase, 'Akita Beauties', which became famous in Japan but is quite an abstract concept. 'Akita Beauties' stems from the world of the Kawabata Geisha, which was revived by our company in the special product: the 'Akita Maiko' brand. Our company began because we want to offer rich experience through hospitality by the 'Akita Beauties' to many people, including tourists from other prefectures and foreign countries.

―Why do you think it is important to revive the Akita Maiko?

Firstly, I think there is an important societal responsibility to inherit Akita’s traditional culture such as Akita Maiko. There are many dances and songs which can only be found here. Thus, I want to preserve this unique and gorgeous culture as a real, tangible thing.

Also, I believe that the 'Akita Maiko/ Akita Geisha' brand, although it may be small, contributes to the economy of Akita's tourist industry, food and beverage industry and other various fields. I think contribution to Akita's economy is another an important role for Akita Maiko.

―Who can become a Maiko?

To be recruited as a Maiko, you must be from Akita, live in Akita, have a connection or love for Akita, and are a healthy and positive woman over the age of 18.

―How are men approached in the recruitment?

Historically, within the world of the Kawabata Geisha, it has long been the case that only women can become Maiko and Geisha. I know it doesn’t fit into the current genderless era… However, I also like the traditional sense.

―I feel like there is a conflict between tradition and evolution…

I agree. It's very difficult to preserve tradition. You may think that to preserve tradition you simply repeat the same thing over and over again. However, tradition cannot be preserved by this alone. There are actually many conflicts, but I think it’s most important to evolve in accordance with the changing times.

Now, only women can become Maiko, but in the future perhaps both men and women will be able to do it. That’s also exciting to me.

Working at Sen

―What kind of work do you do at Sen?

I am neither a Maiko nor a Geisha, but my main job is planning sales activities, events and product development. Aside from that, I work as a theatre receptionist, a master of ceremony, and when the number of Akita Maiko is insufficient, I perform shamisen, a traditional Japanese guitar and sing alongside the Maiko on their behalf. Therefore, I basically do anything when it is needed.

―Specifically, what kind of sales and event planning are you doing?

For example, I hold events where we show Akita Maiko's dances to primary and middle school students and talk to them about one option of working in Akita with the support of the board of education. I'm also planning a lot of other interesting projects!

―How do you go about making business decisions?

Casual conversations while eating with Akita Maiko are often inspiration for making business decisions. 'Is there a demand for this kind of service in this kind of place?’ and

'Guess what! There is news in today's newspaper…'. These conversations often lead to creating ideas, and from there we will conduct a more serious meeting in which to discuss how these ideas can be achieved. Moreover, we work by making the best use of connections that each worker has.

―While you are busy with planning and sales work, how do you find the time to practice shamisen and singing?

There is a one-hour lesson each week in which we are taught directly by a teacher specializing in nagauta, a long epic song, and this hour is within our working hours.

At this company, there is flexibility for us to create our own rules, to make every worker happy. I originally liked singing, so I asked to have a designated time during working hours to practice shamisen and nagauta, and this personal rule was created.

A family-like relationship

―How is Sen different from your previous internships?

Let me think, the level of freedom was probably different. I did an internship at the Akita Prefectural Office and felt that there are a lot of rules. That’s only natural because these important jobs for the citizens of Akita prefecture don't have room for errors. However, I wonder if these jobs aren't suitable for someone like me who is full of creativity.

At Sen, it feels more like a family rather than a relationship between a superior and a subordinate. So, when my sisters say “Wouldn't it be good to do it like this?”, their idea is developed and the corresponding event gets into motion. I think this kind of casual freedom is really good.

―Aside from the difference in freedom, what other differences are there?

Maybe the difference in scale. When I was an intern at previous two companies, there were hundreds of people or thousands of people working. But Sen is a very small company. There are only about five people who work every day. You get to know not only each other's name and face, but their birthdays and what they like. I think it’s easy to come up with ideas when you are so close.

―Why did you want to work at Sen?

Probably, the biggest reason was the connections with other people. I was an intern, so it was a company l was familiar with, and of course I already knew the people working at the company and those who supported the company. I'd already made connections with various people, which felt very lucky to me. I remember feeling like that would be a waste to let go of.

―What are you specifically doing to continue to create an environment where women can work comfortably?

We also run a café in a tourist facility called Matsushita in addition to the ‘Akita Maiko’ business. There are many women who work there besides Maiko, some of which have children.

For example, if there are days when their children don't want to go to school, they can come to the Matsushita workplace with their mothers and play together at our office until their mother's work is over. Everyone including Akita Maiko takes care of them. I have a good story about this. There used to be a child who wouldn't go to school, but after coming to Matsushita and talking to everyone there, he became able to communicate and went back to school!

―It feels like there is very good teamwork at Sen.

I think teamwork is really great. A long time ago, Maiko and Geisha lived in the same house called Okiya. Now, we are working for a company, and have our own separate homes, but we love the company and even come here on our days off sometimes. There’s really a homely atmosphere and we feel like a family. That’s why I think the teamwork here is also good.

During COVID-19 and the future

―How has COVID-19 influenced your work?

The influence of COVID-19 has been so huge that in some months our company lost all of our work. Since almost all tourists could not come, the jobs which involved welcoming tourists to our Matsushita theatre were decreased.

Also, previously we had work at events where the Akita Maiko were invited to join business leaders for dinner, in a Japanese-style room at a high-class restaurant at night. However, as leaders within the business community lost opportunities, the frequency that Akita Maiko were invited these events at restaurants or hotels was significantly decreased. To be honest, I was pretty sad.

―How have you responded to the influence of COVID-19?

At first, we did crowd-funding.

That is because we saw news about the high levels of stress in children who could not go to school and elderly people who are placed in care facilities.

Thanks to the support received through crowd-funding, we offered online services that shows these children and elderly people dance and helps them remember the dance. This brought them happiness despite the changes brought by COVID-19.

―What other activities have been done?

We undertook occupational training, through the Japanese system.

By using this system, Akita Maiko and I studied coffee and latte art. Moreover, we took a lesson in supporting dementia patients and learned about Akita in order to take a unique exam about Akita called 'Akita Furusato Kentei'. Everyone topped this test brilliantly. Through our study of new things, we could acquire a wide range of possible conversation content, service in future jobs and knowledge about how we should talk with elderly people.

―How does Akita Maiko utilize their study about supporting dementia patients in their job?

Since before the start of COVID-19, Akita Maiko occasionally visited care facilities and hospitals to perform dance, talk, and take a picture with people who are placed in these facilities.

We studied how we should speak to dementia patients in order to make them comfortable and what action makes them uncomfortable. Since then we are making use of this study in the field.

For example, when Akita Maiko perform their unique dance, there are some people who are extremely surprised by the dance. However, thanks to the study, Akita Maiko were able to expect this situation and dance without puzzlement.

―Do you plan to keep your current activities even if COVID-19 calms down?

I plan to keep the online service because I found there were many advantages of having an online presence. The online service has a good reputation among people who live in foreign countries and distant places in Japan.

―What initiatives and goals do you have for the future?

Firstly, the goal is to increase our number of colleagues who work together. In order to achieve this goal, I want to inform people who plan to start working, such as university students, junior college students, high school students, junior high school students, and elementary school students about the option of working in Akita.

We should make an effort to keep being the target for many people as possible who want to be an Akita Maiko.

―Do you have a message for students who are thinking about their future?

In Akita, there are many students who are interesting and smart. Thus, I hope to encourage many to consider, not only to go to urban areas to work at a big company, but also to live in Akita with joy as one future option. Without being caught up in what is happening around you, I recommend you choose your job and workplace by seriously thinking about what you really want to do, what you like, and what you are good at. Although I've already said this, our company wants to evolve with the times to preserve the world of the Geisha as traditional culture. So I feel excited when I imagine active university students also becoming Maiko. There is no rule that university students cannot be a Maiko.

I believe that it's possible to make a career plan that suits each and every person. Thus, when you want to do something, that is the time to act.