Meet Sugimoto-san, the Real-Life Inspiration for My Novel, YARN

In Grey, Mr. Cedar was an important, but minor character. In the free-standing sequel, Yarn, he has become the main character, Tane Cedar. I talk about the real-life person who inspired, not just the character, but the world of celebrity, high-fashion, and technology in my two novels.

This is the only photo I seem to have of Mr. Sugimoto, the real-life inspiration for Mr. Tane Cedar from Yarn.

The Real-Life Inspiration for Mr. Cedar

The photo was taken in the early 90′s. That’s me in the fedora and mustache and I’m next to Sugimoto-san, a man I had met in 1984 when I was looking to buy some clothes in Japan, during my junior year abroad. We are in the store he managed or owned — I’m not sure — called Men’s Integral which was located in Kobe’s downtown, Sannomiya.

Around us hang  suits and accessories in various colors, but when I first saw walked into this store back in the 80′s, my recollection was that there was nothing but black, white, and grey things.

I bought a double-breasted suit in a pale plumb on this trip. It was a gorgeous, sophisticated and ingenious garment, but sadly I no longer possess it.