My Journey
A relaxed, candid photo of Kamui Vintage owner, John Scott, sitting close to a vintage electric miniature grandfather clock, smiling warmly at the camera. The image conveys a sense of comfort and quiet joy as he shares a moment building a small Japanese vintage collectibles and antique business in Hokkaido, Japan.
Welcome to Kamui Vintage.
This is my very first blog post, and it feels right to begin by simply telling you who I am and why I’m here.
Kamui Vintage isn’t a big company, and it will never pretend to be. At the end of the day, it’s just a guy passionate about vintage Japanese collectibles and antiques, doing my best to build something meaningful, enjoy the work, and make an honest living.
I’m entering the next chapter of my life and doing my best to pay the bills, enjoy life, and find meaning and happiness along the way.
I turned 60 on December 11, 2025. I won’t lie, it’s a big adjustment. And life changes for you in so many ways. Living in Japan, there’s a word I understand deeply, even though it may be unfamiliar to many of you: ikigai (生き甲斐).
Ikigai is often translated as “a reason for being” or “the thing that makes life worth living.” But that simple definition doesn’t quite capture it.
Ikigai isn’t about chasing success, fame, or finding one grand passion. It’s about balance. It’s about doing work you care about, using what you’re good at, contributing something meaningful to the world, and sustaining yourself along the way. It’s found in everyday routines, in quiet effort, in relationships, and in taking pride in doing something well.
More than anything, ikigai is the feeling that your time still matters—that your effort has value, and that you still have a reason to get up in the morning.
At this stage of my life, that way of thinking feels especially important.
Through this blog, I want to take you along for the journey—openly and honestly. You’ll see the growth when it happens, and you’ll see the slow periods too. I won’t pretend to be something I’m not. Kamui Vintage isn’t a polished brand with a perfect plan. It’s just one step at a time, learning as I go.
I’m starting small—very small, actually. Just a handful of carefully chosen items. Over time, I hope to slowly reinvest, improve the quality of my stock, and handle pieces with more history, character, and value. Alongside this, I’ll be offering other services to help pay the bills and keep things moving forward. It’s not glamorous, but it’s honest—and that matters to me.
My hope is that one day Kamui Vintage can grow from an online shop into a small brick-and-mortar store here in Japan—a place people can visit, explore, and enjoy in person. Maybe it’s something you’ll want to support, follow, or even help grow into something bigger. Or maybe you’ll simply enjoy watching the journey unfold. Either way, I’m grateful you’re here.
I care less about appearances or rapid growth and more about living honestly, doing work I believe in, and sharing the real story—the small wins, the challenges, and everything in between—without polish or pretense.
Above all, I believe in being myself and treating people honestly—values that feel increasingly rare in business today. If I can enrich other people’s lives and enjoy the journey while doing it, that’s success to me.
Life is short, and I’m not getting any younger. So I choose to carpe diem—to seize the day, make the most of the time I have, and enjoy the journey while I’m still able.
Thank you for being part of the beginning.
— John Scott
