"I guess these Naruto Scissors will become an heirloom of mine someday... but who knows? (laughs)"
So says Kazuya Kawabata, a 38-year veteran owner-barber, with a shy smile.


Located along the highway, "CUT SHOP mooon" is a welcoming salon where you can instantly unwind. With endless "Barber's Choice" requests for men's cuts and highly praised private-room face shaving for women, many loyal clients travel here even from afar.


After a 38-year journey that was by no means smooth, Mr. Kawabata once felt that scissors were almost disposable—that the day to part with them always comes. So, why is he now holding Naruto scissors to weave a new chapter of memories? We explore the heart and story behind his 38-year career.

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■ You have 38 years of experience as a barber. What inspired you to enter this profession?

To be honest, it’s not that I chose this job because I wanted to be a barber. What I really wanted to be was Kamen Rider, the famous Japanese superhero (laughs).

As a child, I was physically weak and frequently hospitalized with asthma, so I actually wanted to go to nursing school. But my parents told me they couldn't afford it, though they could pay for barber and beauty school. That’s how things went, and I enrolled at the age of 18. After all, "you never know until you try."


■So that’s how your journey as a barber began.

A: When I was 19, my girlfriend at the time passed away from an illness. I started working when I turned 20, but for a long time, I couldn't focus on anything.

At 22, however, I decided to give everything I had to the present moment, and I worked flat out for the next two years. The moment I finally debuted as a qualified barber, my life in this profession truly began.

At 30, I went independent and opened my own salon using an existing shop space, which I ran for 13 years. During that time, we were blessed with a child a bit later in life.

When my eldest son was about to start elementary school, balancing the business and childcare became difficult at that location. So, I decided to relocate to our current property along the highway, where I could combine my shop and home. That was the moment I truly committed myself, thinking, "I am going to make a living as a barber for my family."


■So you made two major decisions at the exact same time.

To make the most of our strengths as a barber, I took the plunge, relocated, and set up a private room dedicated to women's face shaving.

Looking back, the area around our old shop has since aged, making it a challenging location today. If I hadn't made that decision back then, my life as it is now wouldn't exist.

Thanks to that choice, our customer base has expanded greatly. Today, many clients drive all the way from far away just to visit us.

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■ You first purchased Naruto scissors at our Takarazuka factory exhibition last year, and again this year.

Before this, I really felt like scissors were almost disposable. I used to replace them with a new pair every five or six years, and it was always a struggle to get the new ones to feel right in my hand.

But there was one pair of thinning scissors that I had used for 35 years. For the past few years, something felt slightly off about them, so I attended the exhibition hoping to get them sharpened.

There, the staff explained the exact cause of the issue, and I realized that the scissors had finally reached the end of their lifespan. Even so, they beautifully restored the sharpness for me, giving that old pair one last moment to shine. Going through that proper farewell is what finally allowed me to move forward.


■ What was the deciding factor in choosing the 4suki Shareline and 5suki Branche?

The number one reason is that they last a very long time!
The Shareline perfectly reflects my personality of "you never know until you try." I simply wanted to try using Naruto scissors at least once—that was my entry point

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I fell in love with the 5suki Branche at first sight at last year's exhibition. I had already made up my mind, thinking, "If I see it again next year, I'm going to buy it for rough cutting." Then this year, when I heard it was being discontinued and only available while supplies last, I miraculously managed to purchase it.

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■ How do you feel now that you have actually used them?

The 5suki Branche is absolutely perfect, both in its appearance and how it fits my fingers. With both shears, I can truly feel a difference—not just from my perspective, but from the sensation of the client whose hair is being cut.
It seems I have a habit of putting too much force into opening and closing the shears. Right now, I am in the process of getting used to letting the Blanche do the work for me. I was also told that it effortlessly creates clean lines and movement, so I am keeping that in mind as I use it.

I am excited to create many more new memories together with my Naruto Scissors from here on out.

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■ Let me ask you once again. You have walked your path as a barber with the mindset that "you never know until you try." Is there anything you have come to realize now?

Now, having passed the age of 50, I can finally say—
I truly, from the bottom of my heart, find everything "enjoyable."
Before this, I think there were times when I was just forcing myself to believe that.

The work of a barber or hairstylist isn’t just about cutting hair; it is a place that nurtures human connection.
You get to connect with people across all ages, from newborns to 90-year-olds, and touch a page in so many different lives.
With just a single pair of shears, you can bring joy and energy to someone.
I truly believe this is a wonderful profession!

...Wow, listen to me, I sound so serious right now! (laughs)

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The conversation naturally shifts to the family who has supported him throughout his journey.
■ To your wife, who has stood by your side through both the good times and the bad—would you like to take this opportunity to express your gratitude to her once again?

To my wife,

Expanding to multiple locations failed,
and I was terrible at teaching.
I’ve never once felt like I made a real profit, have I? (laughs)

I’m sure it wasn’t what you wanted to do,
nor the ending you wished for,
nor was it ever fun.
It must have been one continuous struggle.

But, we’ve made it this far.
Or rather, maybe this is as far as we could go.
Thank you for always staying by my side
and letting me take on so many challenges:
serving authentic coffee from freshly ground beans,
selling homemade pudding,
selling logo T-shirts, almost opening a standing bar space,
and now selling our own self-developed deodorizing mist.

Right now, I'm pondering ○○○ (laughs).

Thank you for staying on this train of mine for all these years,
even though I've been driving it completely on my own selfish whims.

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■I’m actually getting so emotional just reading this. It really touched my heart (laughs).

Both my son and daughter have entered the world of hair and beauty. We are right in the middle of enjoying these hectic changes, but I never imagined things would unfold like this.
The day might come when we can eventually work together. Just thinking about that gives me the strength to keep pushing forward a little longer, inspired by the two of them.
I guess these Naruto Scissors will become an heirloom of mine for them someday... but who knows? (laughs)

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