"STUMP BOYS 2"
BY
STUMP BOYS

Because he seemed like the perfect continuation of the Japanese Skate culture that Skate Tales has been showing previously with the episodes about the Osaka Daggers and Takahiro Morita and I think he truly embodies this image of a Punk Rocker living in a country with so much conformity.

I most definitely did, we are around the same generation of skaters I think, so I could really relate to his ability and choice of tricks and passion to skateboard. I can tell he is not afraid of being judged, thinking out of the box and doing everything for a good laugh and a good life. I really appreciate that attitude, the urge to break free and let loose completely!

For me it definitely was the hype to be in a music studion with the JSR Band playing with them until my fingers bled all over the guitar & the floor. It was just AWESOME, Kento and his friends welcomed us with the utmost respect and generosity, I am super thankful to everyone we met on this trip. Kento is a real G 24/7!

I think it’s the strong Japanese skatescene itself with a lot of history, and the skaters’ knowledge of it is what makes it so special. There are a lot of skaters and a lot of passionate skaters that are always pushing the limits of creativity and gnarliness to the maximum. It’s not just the core scene, but the whole thing in total is very colorful and different, but everyone seems to be mastering their craft very well and i think it’s just part of the Japanese DNA.

Well Kento seems to be living his best life, taking it step by step, day by day, trip by trip and project by project making sure that he has as much fun along the way as possible. He is following his dreams and his ideals, it’s a balance between the hustle and the bustle of the big city and the mellow calm of the beach town where he lives. The Japanese Super Rat is a full on skate rat that sometimes needs to get out of the concrete jungle too and catch some ZEN. Trust the universe.

I heard somewhere that it’s because of the many events and competitions that are held every weekend somewhere in Japan and I think its the community what pushes the level of skating to be so high, it must be the environment that inspires young kids to progress on this path. There are so many examples in the Japanese skate culture of great skaters, world travelers and careers. And if it’s tangible, right in front of the child (or parent), then its something worth pursuing I think. 

But do you think that the rule-based and polite society is related to the surge of incredible skaters? Perhaps you are right and it’s true that skateboarding is a great way to protest against the rules and inspire people to cross their boundaries and explore the unknown, give anarchy and creativity a chance.

I think skateboarding means defying convention and jumping out of the ordinary, it inspires people to change the world according to their ideals.

I guess my main takeaway is that you can be a punk rebel and be respectful in the society at the same time, there is a time and place for everything and it is doable with some class. Kento Yoshioka has mastered this balance more than anyone I have ever met before.

I haven’t seen it either, but I heard that this episode has a “dream section”. Can’t wait to see and for everyone else to see it too. I was stoked on manipulating my skateboard specifically for this episode, so keep your eyes peeled for “wheels on fire”!!

We went to a really nice restaurant with Kento and had some amazing sashimi, will always remember the chefs hospitality and some good ole’ sake with Shake Junzi. 

Un-likes? I don’t think so!!!! I enjoyed every second in Japan, for real. 

Ijikan eienai!!!  (good times forever, yes?)