I quit my company on wednesday and today was the wakarekai. Wakarekai means goodbye party. Unless you’ve worked in a japanese company you have no idea how much this is a big deal. Japanese people put the emphasis on being part of a group and a work group in today’s society is as important as a family can be.
So we gathered in an okinawan restaurant and drank ourself silly while i had to make a speech. The thing is, when you’re leaving a company people thank you for the effort you have put up.
The correct formula is otsukare sama deshita. It means thanks for your effort.
Now, it’s the first time i have to quit a japanese company ans it’s pretty heartbroking. I’m not used to that kind of politeness and caring. In France you would just leave and that would be that.
In Japan it’s a big deal, that’s why they throw a party when you feel you were a key element of the company and they’re sad to let you go.
They made a fucking book for me, where they wish me luck in my next company and thank me for the effort i’ve put up until now. That book is so great it’s probably one of the most important gift anyone has ever gave me.
Everyone in the firm has put up a word of encouragement and since i was working in a design company it has a lot of weird graphic design stuff in it.
They photoshoped my face on the french soccer team, they photoshopped myself with my boss while he was in his teen. It’s like a big book of love dedicated to me that’s why it’s so fucking overwhelming.
I’m really bummed out about leaving that company because the people were great. At the same time the job was the most uninteresting shit so i knew i had to leave someday.
Anyway Sankakusha was a great design studio to work in. I’m scared shitless of the next company i’m gonna join but with that book i feel like i can push over mountains.
So to everyone at Sankakusha, thanks, i’ll never forget.
THis is a chessy post but it had to be done.