The Legend of the Coin
A brass token bridging the precision of the West with the neon-lit soul of Osaka.
If you are reading this, you are holding a heavy piece of brass in your hand. You carry it because you’ve been welcomed into a small, distinct circle—friends whose paths have crossed mine and left a mark on both my life and my travels.
This coin is a token of connection—a symbol of the bond between us, a bridge spanning the precision of my work in the West and the neon-soaked vibrancy of my life in Osaka.
What you hold is more than metal. It is a story.
This is the Legend of the Coin.
The Duality: Coltrey & Kotori
Two faces · Two modes of existence
The coin bears two faces, representing two complementary versions of who I am, depending on which side of the world I’m standing on.
Obverse — “COLTREY”
This side represents the foundation: the English-speaking world, the professional mindset, and the hospitality of the West. It embodies craftsmanship, thoughtful conversation, and the long alliances built over shared respect and curiosity.
It is the side of me rooted in precision and purpose.
Reverse — “コトリ (Kotori)”
“Kotori” is the Japanese phonetic reading of Coltrey. In everyday language, 小鳥 means “little bird”, but on this coin it signifies something more personal—my alter ego in the East.
Kotori is the version of me shaped by the pulse of Dotonbori, the flow of Tokyo’s railways, and the endless pursuit of authentic experience throughout Japan. It represents motion, discovery, and adaptation—the joy of immersing oneself fully in another world.
Decoding the Symbols
Encircling the square center—a symbolic window between these two worlds— are icons that define the philosophy behind the coin.
1. The Pursuit of Performance — The Formula 1 Car
Beneath the Japanese inscription rests a Formula 1 car—not merely a symbol of speed, but of perfection through discipline.
Formula 1 represents the relentless pursuit of excellence: optimizing every variable, refining every decision, and operating at the absolute edge of what’s possible—whether on a race circuit or in the realm of technology.
It reflects how I approach both work and life: with focus, precision, and an unending drive to improve.
2. The Spirit of Osaka — The Octopus & The Tigers
On the Japanese side you’ll find two distinctly Kansai icons:
- The octopus, wearing a hachimaki headband, pays tribute to Osaka’s culinary heart—the land of kuidaore (“eat until you drop”). It celebrates street-side takoyaki stalls, late-night ramen adventures, and the shared language of food that connects people beyond words.
- The HT Logo honors the Hanshin Tigers, Kansai’s beloved baseball team and the embodiment of local spirit: passion, loyalty, and unapologetic enthusiasm. It represents community, unity, and the electric atmosphere of cheering shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers who feel like friends.
3. The Toast — The Glencairn & The Cocktail Glass
On the English side stand two glasses:
- A Glencairn whisky glass
- A classic cocktail glass
Together they symbolize Hospitality.
These are the moments when journeys slow down and stories are shared—sampling a rare dram in a proper Glencairn Whisky Glass, enjoying a crafted cocktail at Bar Barnes in Nagoya, discovering a hidden gem like the 1969 bar in Osaka, or raising a glass in the comfort of my own home.
They mark the pauses where bonds are formed and friendships deepen.
If I gave you this coin, it means one thing above all: I want to share a drink with you.
The Inner Circle Rule
🪙 Possessing this coin places you within a small tradition among friends.
There is only a single rule:
Help each other have a good time.
Contact Coltrey
If you’re holding this coin—or just found your way here—and want to connect, here’s how to reach me: