[Event Report] iroha mai RURI Launch - Kiko Mizuhara × iroha Panel Session

Contents

Event Theme & Speaker Profiles

The event venue was decorated in a blue, inspired by the "sea" theme, a central concept of the iroha mai RURI. The overall ambiance was reminiscent of being underwater.

The vibrant blue color extended to the drinks and food as well.

(From left) Ms. Inukai (iroha), Kiko Mizuhara, Gemma (iroha), on the stage at the panel session

Ms. Inukai (iroha), Kiko Mizuhara, and Gemma (iroha) appeared at the panel session.

The speakers at the panel session also wore outfits incorporating vibrant blue, immersing the entire venue in the world of the iroha mai RURI.

She began modeling in 2003 and made her film debut in 2010 in the movie "Norwegian Wood."

In 2017, she launched her own brand called OK. In 2021, she was involved in planning, acting, and supervising her first program with Amazon Prime Video, "Kiko Kikaku." She is actively working as an actress, model, and designer.

OK (Office Kiko) website: https://officekiko.com/
Kiko Kikaku website: https://kikokikaku.jp/
Instagram: @i_am_kiko

Sachi Inukai
iroha and iroha INTIMATE CARE Public Relations and Promotions

From the time she graduated university, she has worked as a writer and PR planner for various collaboration projects with other companies. Taking advantage of those valuable skills, she joined the company in May 2019.

Currently, she manages PR for iroha, introducing products, planning and executing events, along with other related tasks. Her favorite iroha is the TORI.

Gemma Izumi
After graduating from a design school in her hometown of Barcelona, she joined the company in 2018 as a new graduate.

So far, she has been in charge of product design and project management for the iroha petit, as well as the renewal of the first iroha series, and the iroha mai along with the iroha mai RURI.

Currently, she is responsible for product direction and team member development. Her favorite iroha product is the TORI.

Q1: What are some moments for you that spark joy in your life?

I think there are many different kinds of exciting moments. but I also believe that there are those unique moments when you feel a sense of joy welling up inside you, when you instinctively feel really good or feel joy in your heart.

There are times when you feel that excitement in unexpected situations.

I haven't been able to go out much lately, but there are times when I went out in search of that excitement, such as by going shopping.

There are also times when I feel a sudden spark of excitement in unexpected places, like in a conversation with a taxi driver or store clerk. When you’re on the lookout for those "exciting moments," you’ll realize that there are more of them than you thought.

I also think that a small spark can lead to a little bit of happiness.

Q2: What are some of the things that you look for when considering a new project?

There were times in my teens and 20s when I was anxious about jobs that I thought I couldn't do, but I took them on because I thought that I may never get another chance like this.

As I entered my 30s, and also due to the impact of the coronavirus, I had many opportunities to reflect on my life. I came to the realization that I want to live a life without regrets, even if the world ends tomorrow.

Of course, it is also important to always do your best. Even if there's something that makes you anxious, if you keep trying your best, you might find an answer that will help you make the right choice.

However, I realized at one point that when I am feeling down or anxious, I cannot perform at my best.

There was a time when I felt that the most important thing was to work on projects with people who had the same mindset as I did.

After that, when I was assigned a project, or took the lead on one, I became more conscious of choosing work that would bring me joy, that would excite or inspire me.

When you think about your lifetime, work and private life exist in the same "time". I don't want to push myself just because it's work. Instead, I want to find somewhere that I can perform at my full potential.

I've come to think about what I can do that's unique, what kind of work I can enjoy, and how I want to make my work and personal life more seamless, not separating them, but placing emphasis on whether it excites me and makes my heart sings. I want to make it a meaningful time in my life.

When you work hard in your teens and twenties, nothing goes to waste, because of all those experiences, from the hustle and bustle of what you've done, you find that you have more things you want to do and can do, and you can start to choose from among them. (Inukai)

That’s so true. I feel like we’ve learned a lot.

Q3: What is your definition for “exciting” love?

My current definition is to have someone who accepts me for who I am, finds me interesting, helps me grow further, shares small joys with me, and can empathize with me. I feel that this will lead to even greater happiness.

I hope that we can build a relationship where we can enjoy small things, such as finding flowers while taking a walk and commenting on how beautiful it is, or appreciating how wonderful today’s sunset is.

How wonderful. You really have a good relationship with your partner, don’t you? Do you have any other moments when you feel that heart-fluttering, exciting sense of joy? (Inukai)

In my previous relationships, I was too embarrassed to show my partner my work, but recently, I had my current partner help me.

For example, when I recorded a tape for an audition, he gave me various pieces of advice, "How about doing it this way?" He gave me a lot of good suggestions.

I was motivated by his advice, and felt driven to give it my best shot. I think it was the best recording I've ever made.

I was a little embarrassed to perform in front of my family and friends, but I was able to show it in front of him, and he gave me honest, helpful advice instead of judging me, which was an experience I had never had before. At that moment, I felt that exciting joy.

I felt like I had made a breakthrough, and it was a big thing for me to feel I could believe what this person was saying.

Q4: What made you fall in love with the ocean and music?

When I was a child, my father would play his favorite rock ‘n’ roll and soul music at full volume while picking me up and dropping me off at kindergarten. I would sing along with him! It was such a fun memory for me.

My mother loved opera and was also learning it. She was fond of classical music and jazz.

Music is something I've been exposed to since I was a kid, and it's been an integral part of my life.

Of course, I’ve always liked the sea, but when I couldn't go abroad due to the coronavirus lockdown, I travelled around the seas of Japan.

At that time, I visited the sea in various parts of Japan and felt a profound appreciation for the country's rich natural heritage.

And then, when I was offered a role in a movie about scuba diving, I decided to get certified. From there, I became more immersed in my interest of the sea. Even though the filming is over, I'm happy that it gave me a chance to appreciate the ocean more.

Q5: How has the appreciation for the sea influenced you in your daily life?

Somehow, I feel like I'm really being helped by nature. I feel like it’s helping me all the time.

When I went into the sea, I was surprised to see fish jostling and playing each other. It reminded me of how people interact. It was fascinating that there were fish that would sometimes follow me, and others that seemed genuinely curious about my presence.

The experience sparked a sense of closeness to the sea within me.

I also love artistic things. I was captivated by the colors of the sea, the intricate patterns adorning fish, the coral reefs and anemones in all their splendor, and the dazzling fluorescence that defied explanation. It was delightfully surprising. It was overflowing with excitement.

When I want to find excitement, I go to the sea. I always find it there.

(Inukai) How wonderful! It's true that the ocean offers a world outside of our daily lives. While there's excitement in everyday life, if you feel like you’re missing something, you can find inspiration by going to the ocean.

Some creatures are always there, while others appear miraculously. No two experiences are ever the same. Even if you go to the ocean an hour later, the world you see will change.

It's something you can only experience in that instant. It's not only the ocean, but it makes you realize (in a larger perspective) that life is always a series of exciting moments.

Q6: Was the development of the iroha mai RURI filled with exciting moments?

It's filled with excitement!

When I was approached about the iroha mai collaboration, I was told that the mai is an item that makes vibrations from sound. The first thing that came to my mind was when I was swimming with the whales.

When male whales are courting, they have a love song they sing, and it reminded me of that vibration.

When I was swimming in the sea, I felt a whale swimming under me, even though I couldn't see it. It sang a love song that deeply resonated throughout my body. I immediately felt, “Yeah, that’s it!” And I proposed it as a vibration pattern.

Then we decided to make the theme the ocean, and also fill the iroha mai RURI with the sound of waves and bubbles!

Footage of whales taken by Kiko herself

At the event, we watched a video of Kiko recording whale sounds, which were also used for the iroha mai RURI.

The lighting and sound make it feel as if you were actually in the sea.

The whale's cries had a wide range of sounds, from high to low pitches, and gave off a mysterious feeling.

Kiko Mizuhara talks about an experience she had with whales

In fact, I heard from a child who swims with whales every year that their pattern of love songs change year by year. There seems to be some kind of trend.

I thought it was just like humans.

Behind the Scenes of the iroha mai RURI with the Developer

Kiko Mizuhara and Gemma (iroha) during the development of the iroha mai RURI

How did you feel when Kiko suggested that you turn whale songs into vibrations? (Inukai)

There is no precedent for converting whale songs into vibrations and incorporating them into pleasure items, so I was excited because it was something completely new! (Gemma)

It's an idea that would have never come up in the company! Kiko, was there anything that impressed you during development? (Inukai)

The whole thing was really amazing! I saw everything that went into making the iroha mai RURI! It was also fun to decide on the colors, selecting from color palettes and then painting them, and doing the work by hand.

Also, when it came to deciding where to loop the whale's song for the sound part, it was like making music. I was absolutely captivated!

I think one of the unique features of the iroha mai and the iroha mai RURI is that the vibration is different from other items, but please tell us about the structure. (Inukai)

iroha vibrators generally incorporate a rotary motor, but the iroha mai incorporates a new dynamic device that uses sound vibrations and has a principle similar to that of a speaker. (Gemma) Whereas conventional motors generate vibration patterns based solely on the speed of rotation, the iroha mai utilizes sonic vibrations to control not only the speed but also the amplitude and depth of the vibrations, enabling a wide range of stimulation. (Gemma)

In addition, the iroha mai RURI includes five ocean-themed vibration patterns in addition to the original five vibration patterns of the mai. (Gemma) Two of them are whale songs recorded by Kiko. There were high-pitched and low-pitched parts, that I was able to cut out and use separately. However, using only the high-frequency portion for pleasure items doesn't create vibrations that feel that good, so I combined it with another vibration pattern as a base to create pleasurable sensations. (Gemma)

It's made with pleasure in mind! (Inukai)

▼Please see below for Kiko Mizuhara and iroha's iroha mai RURI development meeting

The Story Behind the Self-pleasure Item iroha mai RURI Produced by Kiko Mizuhara x iroha

 Watch the iroha mai RURI Development Meeting 

Q7: How did you feel when you were swimming with whales?

Actually, there have been a few times when I've had dreams of whales jumping or swimming alongside me before big auditions or shoots.

I think it's a good sign when whales appear in your dreams. For me, it's a symbol of good luck, so when I actually swam with them, I thought, "They are divine."

At that moment, our eyes met. I couldn’t believe that the day finally came where I could swim with whales. I wished for it for so long, and it finally came true.

I was also able to meet a whale couple, and they seemed very cute and excited as they were swimming around. I felt that they were just like humans!

Q8: What do you think of the ‘exciting’ iroha mai RURI?

Something amazing has been created! It's a miracle! Perfect!

I've always been a fan of iroha, and when iroha first came out 10 years ago, I knew exactly that this was a product for women, even without any prior explanation.

I also talk to my friends about how amazing iroha is. I was deeply moved to think that the day would come when we will be able to collaborate like this.

It includes sounds that I love and cherish, such as whale songs and the rippling of waves, and it is the perfect shape for me.

I was particular about the color of the main body, and I was really happy with the translucent case, which was inspired by whales as they surface from the depths of the ocean.

Q9: How was the last event at the iroha STORE in Daimaru Umeda?

You actually talked to customers who purchased the iroha mai RURI, how was it? (Inukai)

Very interesting. It was a wide range of age groups, and they shared a wide variety of thoughts. I received so much encouragement and happy comments.

Some people said that they were able to use it in a meditative way.

One of the things that made an impression on me the most was a gynecologist who said, "I recommend self-pleasure to patients who I think need it.

Unfortunately some people avoid it because they are embarrassed." "I think that by having Kiko serve as an ambassador, it has become easier for patients to try pleasure items and feel a sense of comfort."

I felt that it would be really amazing if I could bring these positive opportunities to as many people as possible by serving as an ambassador.

It's necessary for people of all ages, and I think self-pleasure is important not only for pleasure, but also for overall health.

Q10: Audience question: When you feel like you're losing sight of who you are, how do you recover?

We received questions from everyone who came to the venue in advance. We have a question from an attendee: "Love Yourself and Live Life Your Way" is a phrase that appears in iroha's advertisements, but is there a way that Kiko uses it to regain her sense of self when she feels like she's losing it? (Inukai)

In fact, there was a moment recently when I felt like I had lost sight of who I was. I think nature and music helped me return to being myself.

Just being in cold water, such as a river or the sea, feels like I'm being released from the “foggy” feeling. And then I talk to my mom and my friends to let everything out and sort it out.

Also, when I listen to music, the messages in the songs gives me encouragement.

While it's not easy to regain your composure right away, it's important to remember that your struggles are not in vain. They can be an opportunity for introspection, self-discovery, and finding your own unique path forward.

With the help of nature, music, friends, and family, I feel like I will always be able to regain my sense of self.

Q11: Do you have advice on how to enjoy self-pleasure more intimately?

I think there are many ways to enjoy self-pleasure. It's important to say, "I like to do things this way," and I think it's also good to listen to others and try things out.

However, there is a method that suits each person, I believe it's crucial to go through trial and error to find what makes you feel comfortable and liberated.

Please cherish these times as a special reward.

Kiko’s sister, Yuka Mizuhara, joins the event as a DJ!

After the panel event, Kiko's sister, Yuka Mizuhara, was invited to DJ.

DJ Yuka Mizuhara’s set made the venue even more exciting.

Kiko Mizuhara × iroha Collaboration - iroha mai RURI

iroha mai RURI is an item that features a completely new type of sonic vibration with HapticWave® Technology.

Enjoy sensations you have never experienced before that will resonate slowly and deeply inside your body.

Equipped with five unique rhythm patterns jointly developed with Kiko Mizuhara, please experience the next evolution of pleasure with the iroha mai RURI.

iroha's HapticWave® Technology converts 40-70 Hz sound waves into vibrations with haptic technology*, providing a "realistic" tactile experience for your body.

Experience a deeper, more three-dimensional vibration experience.

* Haptic technology provides tactile feedback through vibration and movement.

Click here for more details on the iroha mai RURI

iroha × Kiko Mizuhara Next Collaboration! [Scheduled for this Fall]

Following the iroha mai RURI, the next joint collaboration between iroha and Kiko Mizuhara is on the way!

We are pleased to announce that we will be launching new products this fall that will make your self-pleasure even more fun and exciting.

Stay tuned!