Vol.11 of I AM BEAMS, the personal book series by Japanese select shop BEAMS, has been announced. Titled KATO, the volume centers on Tadayuki Kato — BEAMS menswear casual buyer and director of the brand SSZ. Amazon pre-orders opened on February 25, 2026, with the book set to go on sale at select BEAMS stores, the BEAMS official online shop, and nationwide bookstores from April 10, 2026.
About I AM BEAMS
I AM BEAMS is a personal book series featuring BEAMS staff members, each capturing an individual's distinct aesthetic — from the collections and cultural references that shape their creativity to the fashion and lifestyle choices that define their look. Since launching in 2023, ten volumes have been released, each spotlighting a different staff member.
Vol.11: KATO
The eleventh volume focuses on Tadayuki Kato, who has served as BEAMS menswear casual buyer since 2012 and launched his own brand SSZ in 2016 as its director. Alongside his work in fashion, Kato also tends to a vegetable farm in Kamakura as the fourth-generation operator of "Kato Farm," dividing his days between fashion and agriculture.
The book explores Kato's style and the thinking behind it through an extensive archive of clothing, products, tools, personal belongings, and documents he has accumulated over the years — items he has collected, created, and never let go of. Rather than being guided by vintage status, rarity, or market value, Kato's archive reflects a simple standard: choosing what he genuinely finds good.
Rather than a collection book or memoir, KATO is framed as a document that brings to the surface Kato's aesthetic sensibility and the continuity of his choices through objects — aimed at fashion and culture enthusiasts, and anyone thinking about what developing a personal style really means.
Book Details
- Author: Tadayuki Kato
- Title: KATO
- Price: ¥2,200 (tax included)
- Amazon pre-order start: February 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
- Amazon URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4867910864
- General release date: April 10, 2026 (Friday)
- Available at select BEAMS stores, the BEAMS official online shop, and nationwide bookstores and online retailers
- ※ Some regions may experience delays due to shipping. Availability varies by retailer. Release date subject to change without notice.
- Publisher: Two Virgins
About the Author
Tadayuki Kato (born 1973, Kanagawa Prefecture) joined BEAMS after graduating from university and worked in sales before becoming the BEAMS menswear casual buyer in 2012. In 2016, he launched SSZ, a brand with a devoted following, and serves as its director. He also operates "Kato Farm" in Kamakura as its fourth-generation farmer. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katoyasai/
