TEXT by Izuru Shimazaki (Daisy Messenger)
The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake has claimed many lives due to the earthquake and tsunami, and many people are still enduring extremely difficult conditions. Together with the volunteers working on the ground, we are thinking of everyone affected, and we hope to continue providing as much support as possible as individuals and as a community.
This is an announcement regarding a crowdfunding campaign to rebuild the paint factory of Katsuri's Cycle, a bicycle shop in Uchinada, Ishikawa Prefecture, located at the entrance to the Noto Peninsula. This is an essential shop that plays a vital role in a part of Japan's cycling culture. We ask for your support!
A Unique Bike Shop on the Noto Peninsula
Katsuri's Cycle is a rare bike shop that engages in activities far beyond the scope of a typical bicycle store. The owner, Katsuri Narita, a former Keirin cyclist, has supported national teams and several corporate teams as a road race mechanic. He has also been involved in regional sports promotion for a long time, such as holding bicycle schools for children, serving as director for the Ishikawa Prefecture bicycle team, nurturing future talent, and organizing the Tour de Noto. His dedication to bicycle culture serves as a guiding principle for my own activities.
Furthermore, utilizing his artistic talent—a passion he has had since he was a child—Katsuri handles uniform designs for many pro teams, team car wrapping, and frame graphics. His designs possess a pop sensibility that resonates with many people while also respecting the dynamism of bicycle sports; Katsuri’s graphic sense and his expertise in cycling coexist miraculously, and he has many fans, myself included. However, the earthquake has left his paint factory, where he paints frames and the like, inoperable.
Our connection to Uchinada Town was through an event called BANG-KING
Uchinada Town is home to a track racing venue (a community velodrome) that is rare in Japan as it does not host Keirin races. Katsuri is the person who should truly be called the godfather of BANG-KING, a track racing event that we used to hold with the help of the Nagoya bicycle community.
This race was an event for the messenger culture of the time and the fixed-gear riders who started riding during the piste boom. Katsuri found what we—just a bunch of messengers who popped out of nowhere—were saying to be interesting, and thanks to his help in securing full use of the facility, providing lead vehicles, and coordinating with the government and federations, we were able to transition from the streets to running serious races and experience their allure.
Katsuri-san continued support activities even while being a victim himself
Since the earthquake struck on New Year's Day, he put his business aside to enter the affected areas and provide support. When supplies were scarce, we shared Katsuri-san's messages, and with the support of many friends, we were able to send a large amount of relief goods to Uchinada. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone.
Uchinada Town is an area that suffered significant damage. Please provide your support and share this information so that Katsuri's Cycle can resume operations as soon as possible. I am transcribing a message from Katsuri-san below.
Immediately after the earthquake, I dedicated myself to support activities. However, since mid-March, I have felt that the local government-led volunteer systems have begun to function, and while there is still much to do, I feel that I have fulfilled a certain role. I was able to carry out these activities so energetically only because of everyone's support and encouragement. Thank you very much.
Now, I have started moving toward restoring my own livelihood. While the bicycle shop only suffered broken glass, our paint factory, which is the pillar of our business, was completely destroyed. The Nishi-Araya district, where the factory was located, is said to be the area that experienced the greatest ground uplift, and experts have reported that it will likely be impossible to reopen the factory for the next three years. Because of this, I had once given up on restarting the painting division, but seeing everyone in Okunoto fighting desperately to resume their businesses gave me the courage to aim for reopening the paint factory once again.
Until the day when everyone affected can regain their peaceful daily lives with a smile, I will keep working hard together with you all. Please help by spreading the word.
Please consider participating in the crowdfunding, even if it is just for one share. Thank you for your support.