We are now crowdfunding for a book that summarizes our 10 years of accumulated experience. Crowdfunding for the book

FREEDOM Co., Ltd. will start crowdfunding for the book "Freedom Diary (tentative)," a compilation of 10 years of experience accumulated through daily trial and error and honesty in dealing with one's heart.

From hairdresser to farmer

Self-Introduction

Hello, my name is Ryo.

I am a hairdresser, traveler, writer, and also a farmer.

It's been 10 years since I started a small hair salon called "hair bar freedom" by myself on the edge of Tokyo in 2014.

My motto is "If it hits you, go! I live every day with this policy.

What I want to achieve through this project

For the past 10 years, while working as a hairdresser based in Freedom, I have launched several projects and challenged myself in various ways.

Freedom Journey," in which I travel around the world at will.

Street Cut," in which I cut the hair of local people on the streets of the world.

WORLD FREEDOM," cutting the hair of friends in Japan and abroad

Leather brand "MY HOBBY

RIVER VILLAGE" for agriculture and village building

In the past 10 years, we have accumulated various experiences by repeating trial and error every day and facing our own hearts honestly. With this crowdfunding project, we would like to publish a book "Freedom Diary (tentative)" that summarizes these 10 years up to today.

I would be very happy if this book could move the hearts of the people who see it, even if only a little. But that is the kind of book we are aiming for.

■Background of the launch of this project

The reason why we decided to launch this project is that, in looking back on our activities over the past 10 years, we have reaffirmed that each of our experiences have influenced each other and helped us grow as individuals.

While traveling, I come into contact with the values and culture of the people in the land.

While cutting hair, I face the people in front of me with my heart and mind.

While making things, I get close to the lives of the people who hold my work in their hands.

While farming, we return to the origins of people and the importance of food and life.

The thoughts and experiences I felt on that day, at that time, and in that place were accumulating more and more in my heart, and when I looked back again at the path I had walked, I found unexpectedly colorful footprints there.

I was troubled, lost, moved, delighted, cried, and laughed.

I feel that the next step for me is to formulate the thoughts and emotions I felt in different fields into a book.

By sharing my experiences to date with many people, I hope to encourage people who want to continue to challenge themselves on a daily basis in the same way, and I would be happy if this could be a catalyst for something.

And this project will never end and will continue to be ongoing.

While preparing for the publication of the book, "London Freedom" is scheduled to be held in 2025 (probably in July) as part of WORLD FREEDOM. The book to be published this time will cover the activities in London.

Projects to be included in this book

(1) Prologue

I will write about the background of my decision to make this book, my personal history, and a record of my days and challenges since I started freedom.

(2) hair bar freedom

On April 26, 2014, a small salon called hair bar freedom opened on the edge of Tokyo.

We will include a diary of the many ups and downs from there to the present day, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the salon.

(3) Street Cut

The backstory of Street Cut held overseas (Vietnam and Taiwan). And the story of the upcoming event in London.

We also plan to include stories of shared salons in other parts of Japan.

(4) Journey

Starting with Europe (Spain, France, Germany, etc.), we will be driving along the R66 from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon in the U.S. In Asia, he has traveled to Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea.

In Japan, the author has visited 43 of the 47 prefectures of Japan.

What does this travel-loving author think and talk about in each place?

(5) Leather

There is nothing that I want, so I make it.

With this in mind, he started his original leather brand "MY HOBBY.

Everything is handmade, he never takes orders, and only makes what he wants to make.

The brand continues to be made in the style of "MY HOBBY = my hobby.

He tells the story of the birth of his long-selling product "Ore no wallet," which at one time employed three makers and was inundated with orders from all over Japan.

(6) Car & Bike

The front of hair bar freedom is decorated with unique bikes and cars.

A green Rover Mini and an orange Wagen bus.

In addition, there is a retro HONDA DUCKS motorcycle. What is the focus of the shop?

(7) Chipmunk

Another employee greets you as you enter the restaurant!

My name is Hanjiro Chipmunk.

His title is "hair bar freedom manager," and he is actually in a higher position than the owner of the store.

Let me tell you a little about how I got to know Hanjiro.

(8) RIVER VILLAGE

Ryo and his partner Yuta started this BIG project "Spice & Curry & Village Building" in 2020.

It all started with Ryo's idea, "I want curry! It all started with Ryo's idea, "I want curry!

It has been 4 years since he started producing spices from scratch in his partner Yuta's field. Now they are developing canned curry.

How is it all going to turn out?

(9) 10year's Journey in Germany

It has been exactly 10 years since freedom opened. I wanted to do something," I thought to myself, "I want to travel to Germany by myself.

I wanted to watch EURO 2024, drive down the autobahn at 200km/h, and so on.

I flew out of Japan with several missions in mind.

What kind of experience did he gain from his first trip abroad alone and in the unknown country of Germany?

(10) WORLD FREEDOM in London

An ongoing project. It is the holding of London Freedom.

He is planning to visit the UK in 2025, but how will it turn out?

(11) Epilogue

Finally, what is Ryo's view on life after all the experiences he has accumulated?

And how does he plan to live his life from now on?

He talks about his future vision, his dreams and goals, and the rest of his journey that still continues.

This time, we published both Japanese and English versions of the book in the hope that local people abroad and foreigners in Japan will also be able to see the book.

In order to convey the world view of FREEDOM more widely and clearly, we are considering using full-color content, mainly photographs.

Current Status of Preparation

We are not outsourcing to any publishing company for this book, but will do all the work by ourselves except for printing and binding. This is the start of a new project as "FREEDOM Publishing" so to speak.

The book is being edited by a former editor and designer who has worked with us at hair bar freedom for many years.

As of now (December, 2024), we are scrutinizing a huge amount of past data, mainly photos, and gradually editing the book, deciding on the book design and overall structure, etc. We plan to print 300-500 copies of the first edition.

The more budget we have in this crowdfunding, the more we can stick to paper quality, cover design, number of pages, and so on. So we would be very happy if you could help us in any way from the returns below.

■About Returns

In addition to sending you the book, we have prepared a variety of returns, including stickers, invitations to events, and the right to use the space in the book.

3,000 yen Book and sticker

6,000 yen: Book, credit at the end of the book, and sticker

10,000 yen: Book, credit at the end of the book, event invitation, and sticker

20,000 yen: Book, credit at the end of the book, drinks with RYO, and sticker

30,000 yen Book, end credits, event invitation, and use of one-quarter page space in the book

50,000 yen Book, end credits, event invitation, and one-half page space in the book

100,000 yen Book, end credits, event invitation, and use of one-page space in the book

150,000 yen Book, end credits, event invitation, and use of space in the book (one-page spread)

The specific return will include a credit for the supporter (name, nickname, etc.) as a "Special Thanks". Please specify the name of the credit you wish to receive in the remarks column.

One person can support more than one return.

*The "Credit Listing" and "Invitation to Event" options on certain returns do not mean that you have to attend. Even if you wish to receive "no credit" or "not attend the party," it is still possible to support the relevant course. In that case, please let us know in the remarks column.

Schedule

December 2024: Start of crowdfunding

January 2025: Crowdfunding ends.

January - March 2025: Start writing

March-September 2025: Editing work begins & meetings with those who will have space in the book

July 2025: London Freedom (planned)

October 2025: Freedom Diary (tentative name) published

October 2025: Returns will be sent out.

■Finally

This project is a break from the 10 years since we started the hair bar freedom store, and the next step for my own further growth.

I hope that by putting my past experiences into a book form, I can give you some insight and inspiration. Only with the support of many of you will we be able to realize this goal.

Please support this project and help us to create a new story together.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Ryo