George & Mattsun [2/2]: A Shop Brought to Life by Latte Art

The two latte artists opened the cafe REISSUE in Harajuku, Tokyo. The slogan of the shop is “A place where you can enjoy the best latte art in the world.”

George and Mattsun, two latte artists who recently competed against each other at the Latte 1 Grand Prix. Both of them are gathering attention as artists who are also active overseas. The two of them have recently opened a cafe called REISSUE. George and Mattsun got this place, a shop that has been standing for 10 years in Harajuku, a battleground of restaurants where new shops keep opening one after the other, from the previous owner and refurbished it. We visited REISSUE, a shop with a befitting name, and asked George and Mattsun about their thoughts.

George’s Profile
Japanese latte artist. He was making various works with designed cappuccinos (latte art) when he found himself gathering attention from in and outside Japan after creating the first 3D latte art in the world. He became a freelancer after quitting the restaurant he worked at in 2014. He makes visits to Hong Kong, Macao, and Sweden, and in Japan, he holds latte art courses and makes collaboration art with companies.

Mattsun’s Profile
Japanese latte artist. He drew his first latte art in 2009 at the Italian restaurant he was working at. In 2011, he became a topic after publishing all the latte art he had created until that time on the Internet. Afterwards, he didn’t stop with just Japan; he was also introduced in various countries by media including ABC News, The Huffington Post, and Yahoo! France. He is active worldwide at present.

––The two of you are carrying activities related to latte art worldwide. Especially you, George. You’ve been a freelancer ever since quitting the cafe you worked at in 2014.

George: I wanted to make that year the year of contests. While I was working at the restaurant, even if I was invited to an event, I had to decline. It was a decision I made after a long struggle to grab my chance. I resolved to find a restaurant to work at in case nothing happened during that one year.

––Being a freelancer in latte art, that’s quite unheard of. Weren’t you afraid during that time?

G: It was scary in a way. There were many instances when I felt scared, worrying about what I would do if I were to fail, such as when making latte art live on TV, but I’ve gotten used to it by now. Scary things will happen, but what I find important is the posture you face that wall with. In my experience, if you hit it directly from the front, most of the time it will work out somehow, so I made up my mind, too.

––After doing latte art related activities all around the world, you decided to open a coffee shop. What spurred this decision?

Mattsun: The owner of the shop was doing a radio program in Harajuku, and I was invited to the program, which gave ground to some exchange. Then he told me he had an open space. Since I don’t have a lot of experience in managing a shop, I told the owner there is a man doing activities similar to mine, and introduced George to him. When I forwarded this to George, who was commuting between Tokyo and Osaka, the discussion started progressing at a rapid rate, and I looked from the side with admiration, thinking how amazing it was.

––What were your thoughts when you first heard about the shop?

G: It was a quick decision. I wanted to do it right away. Originally, I decided that I wouldn’t come back to Tokyo unless it was for opening a cafe. It was just about a year after becoming a freelancer, and it was a new challenge to me, so I took the chance at once.

––And Mattsun is joining, too. This shop is unparalleled in the aspect that it’s housing two worldwide active latte artists.

G: We are both active in our own various places. At first, I was hesitant about inviting Mattsun. He has huge potential, and his work is also different from mine. REISSUE is my first time taking on the position of the owner, and while on one hand, having Mattsun around makes me feel reassured, I was also worried that I might be crushing something important to him.

Latte art requests are negotiated based on the complexity. Bringing an illustration is preferable; it’s okay to show it on your iPhone or iPad.

G: But during the opening party, where we invited my and Mattsun’s friends and acquaintances, my view changed as I looked at the guests, all merrily conversing with each other without prejudice. I thought, I want to make our shop a waypoint with a comfortable atmosphere where you wouldn’t mind who sits besides you. If we were able to create something with this in mind, I’d be happy.

––One of the themes for your shop is “A place where you can enjoy the best latte art in the world,” isn’t that right?

G: I have the most fun when drawing latte art, so I want that to be the starting point. I enjoy making them, without forgetting my playfulness. “This is quite popular lately, let’s make a latte art” and “Awesome, I made it! They praised it!” - I hold such feelings dear. To feel that pleasant sensation, it’s important to make people have fun, to make them happy or surprise them. In order to be able to do that, I cherish the feeling of playing around and having fun first of all.

––With this shop, guests can enjoy anytime the different styles of latte art you two make.

G: I think 3D latte art was a wall in the world of latte art only the Japanese could break. I would like everyone to come here and see for themselves how interesting it is to actually see with your own eyes how it’s made.

M: When foreigners come to Japan, I think they visit various places and make various memories. We will make you the best cup of coffee with latte art that you’ll never forget, including 3D latte art or portraits, so do drop by and have some fun with us!

“It would be ideal if we would keep getting latte art requests all the time and there would always be one of us drawing,” Mattsun says.

REISSUE is a coffee shop housing two prominent latte artists, where you can enjoy a cozy atmosphere and top-notch cafe latte art created by George and Mattsun. The beef hamburger carefully made with plenty of gravy and the dry curry mixed with egg yolk are delicious as well. We are thankful to latte art for linking the two of them together and providing a chance for this restaurant to be created.

REISSUE
Access
2F Tanji Building, 3-25-7 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
12:00–23:00 (Lunch 12:00–16:00)
5-minute walk from the Takeshita Exit of Harajuku Station
5-minute walk from Meijijingumae Station

George’s TOM Portfolio Page
Mattsun’s TOM Portfolio Page

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.

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