We received an offer to expand our Japanese furniture brand in Shanghai, so Kamei and I went to China not so much to negotiate but to confirm our mutual trust. The result was a group of incredibly nice people who made me think, "If there's any trouble, it's our fault," and it looks like we'll be able to exhibit at the Shanghai Design Show to be held this autumn. This story began with this photo posted on Instagram. First, this was picked up by Instagram Japan and went viral. Apparently, Mai Takeuchi became a hot topic on the Chinese internet, with people saying, "There's a cute furniture maker in Japan." This led to a couple of furniture craftsmen who learned about KOMA coming from Taiwan to exchange techniques. Kou, who was acquainted with the couple through woodworking, was the person who led to this connection. It was probably early November when KOMAshop called the workshop. Two people who run a woodworking class in Shanghai are currently visiting the shop and, although it's sudden, they said they would like to take a look around the workshop. Normally we would turn them down, but Kou and his team came to the workshop just as we had just finished some work. Kou, who has worked for a major Japanese interior design company for 10 years, is fluent in Japanese and has no trouble communicating. He loves Japanese woodworking techniques and apparently has a collection of tools such as planes, so he listened attentively as we explained how to make furniture and how to use tools such as planes and swords, and he participated in the workshop. Although it was only a few hours, we were able to enjoy a technical exchange with each other. Then "Actually, I have another reason for coming here today," Kou said. "Why not expand the KOMA brand into China?" I hear that people get tricked especially overseas, but there's no benefit to us doing so. It sounded like fun, so I readily agreed. Even after racking my brains, I can't find anything that KOMA would be embarrassed to lose. It was just a fortunate coincidence and good timing, so I thought, "Let's go to China!" Standing on a street at night lined with glowing red neon signs in Chinese characters, you realize you have arrived in the Chinese-speaking world. I was told that the sturdy, calm brick townscape visible on the opposite bank of the canal, where rusty cargo ships pass by alongside garishly decorated tourist ferries, was originally a British colony. Across the narrow street on the left is a completely different atmosphere, with a former French colony and an impressive, stylish clock tower. Far to the left is a bustling row of modern skyscrapers. Perhaps due to the cold drizzle at night, the beauty of the place, where past and present meet, felt strange and a little frightening. In Shanghai, the world's top fashion, car and interior brands have stores that are larger than those in Tokyo. I was surprised at the number of furniture stores, as there were several large shopping malls that sold only furniture and interior goods. There's nothing wrong with people's manners. They are generous and warm-hearted and don't worry about small details. Now that I think about it, I came to Shanghai without knowing much about who Kou was, but I found out that he works for a large Taiwanese conglomerate that also handles urban development. Although it is called a woodworking class, it is a well-equipped facility with excellent machinery and an attached shop and cafe. They are also working on a museum on the history of Chinese woodworking on the top floor of a huge interior design shopping mall, and they told us, "You can use anywhere in this mall however you like." When I asked him why he contacted a small company like ours, he said, He said, "No one can imitate KOMA furniture." Otherwise, it would be easily copied in China and would become unprofitable. There is currently a growing movement across China to value the skills of artisans, and 300 artisans from various genres have been selected from all over China. The role of the media in reporting and introducing these events is also part of Kou's project. However, the technical skills of the craftsmen are truly amazing. Now, high-end brands such as Hermes are producing them and they are beginning to be developed in new forms one after another. A white porcelain plate so thin it is almost transparent. The thickness is measured by the echo of the sound of a finger tapping it. The sound it makes, "kon," is so beautiful that it sounds like an instrument and was even used as background music in the store. Beautiful and expressive jade tea utensils. An incense burner intricately constructed from bamboo less than 1mm thick. There was a lot of furniture and it was wonderful. I have never seen a store in Tokyo that permanently stocks products of this level, which perfectly combines ultra-high-level craftsmanship with the sensibility of a global luxury brand. I felt like I had caught a glimpse of the tip of the tail of the world's top player. I was so happy to realize how immature we were that my stomach started to tremble. A new challenge always brings me back to basics. First, we have begun preparations with the aim of exhibiting at the Shanghai Design Show this fall. Anyway, Kou and the others were really helpful in every way. He arranged various places we wanted to go and took us wherever we wanted, showing us the best of Shanghai's furniture market. He treated me to incredibly luxurious meals every time and drank with me until the morning. They spoke quietly but passionately and earnestly about what they are doing and what they want to do in the future. Seeing them talking quietly with their eyes downcast, I thought it was quite wonderful. On the final day, we held a workshop mainly for students from Kou's woodworking class, and I was happy to see that everyone was very interested and enjoyed it very much. Kou and his friends are planning to come to Tokyo next spring. I'm going to start planning now so that I can provide heartfelt hospitality. Given an offer to sell KOMA products in Shanghai as a Japanese furniture brand, Kamei and myself visited China to confirm the reliable relationship to the offerer rather than to discuss details of business. The offerer is so nice people making us to think of us as "Any potential issues would be attributed to us." and we are expected to participate a design exhibition held in this autumn at Shanghai. The story has started from the picture above uploaded to the Instagram. It was uploaded to the Instagram Japan which was significantly distributed. Then, Mai-chan seemed to be viral in the net community in China "There are pretty craftswoman specialized in furnitures in Japan." Based on the topic, a Taiwanese couple craftsman specialized in furniture has visited KOMA to exchange techniques. Given being acquittance with the couple, Mr. Kou has been connected with KOMA. In early November, there was a phone call from KOMAshop to our factory. Two people who run classes for woodworks were visiting KOMAshop now, who would like to see KOMA factory. Usually, we decline such kinds of inquiries, however, given just passing the busiest time, we have accepted their inquiry and Mr.Kou visited us. Mr.Kou had worked in one of major Japanese interior company for 10 years, thus, fluent Japanese speaker, thus, there was no issues in the communications. He likes Japanese woodwork techniques very much and collects tools including planes, thus, he has seriously learned and conducted how to make furnitures and how to use tools including planes and blades. It was just several hours, however, we exchanged techniques with fun. Then, Mr. Kou told us "Actually, we have the other purpose of this visit." He asked us about "Are you interested in distribution of KOMA brand in China?" Despite frequent rumors to be scammed, especially by non-Japanese residents, there would not be merit for them to cheat us. We comfortably accepted his offer, which seemed to be interesting. Even with deep-dive considerations, there is no down side risks in KOMA. The offer seems to be given to us by chance, let's go China! Standing on the road with neon signs in red Chinese characters in the night, I have realized we are visiting Greater China. I was told that the quiet skyline built of brick opposite shore of the canal, where glaringly decorated sightseeing ships and rusted cargo boats are crossing, used to be a part of UK. The left side of the narrow street used to be French jurisdiction where fashionable clock tower was impressive. Many modern skyscrapers exist far left side. Affected by cold drizzle at the night, I felt kind of scared with strange appearance of all ages and countries mixed. Worldwide high brands in the apparel, automobiles, and interior have stores in Shanghai bigger than ones in Tokyo. There are multiple shopping malls specialized in furnitures and interior goods and I was surprised to see the number of furniture shops. I have not seen impolite people. No one does not seem to stick to details and people are generous and warm. By the way, I have visited Shanghai without knowing any details of Mr. Kou, actually, who is employed by one of the major conglomerate which deals with urban developments. The facility of his woodwork school is good one associated with shops and cafes. The company manages the historical museum of woodworks at the top of an extremely big shopping mall and said to us, "please use anywhere in this mall." When I ask him "Why did you make an offer to a small company KOMA small?" He replied "No one cannot make copy products of KOMA." Otherwise, due to plagiarize, it is very difficult to do business in China. Recently in China, nation wide project to take care of handwork of craftsmen, thus, 300 craftsmen have been chosen across all over the China. One of the project of Mr.Kou is covering and introducing them in media. Technique of each craftsman chosen is exceptionally good. Some of them have been materialized as products and distributed by high brands including Hermes. White porcelain dish so thin showing trough. It is manufacturing with measuring its thinness by sounds when hit by fingers. The sound is so beautiful as if it comes from musical instruments and used as BGM of the store. Beautiful tea sets with rich expressions made from jade. The incense burner complexly knitted from bamboo fiber thinner than 1mm. There are many furnitures which are also very good. I have seen such kinds of stores in Tokyo which permanently sell products exceptionally high levels of craftsman techniques are collaborated with high brands. I seemed to see the tails of the top of the world. I was so happy as if shaking from the bottom of my heart to understand how immature KOMA is. New challenges always remind us of our original spirit. We would like to start preparing for the Shanghai design show exhibition in this autumn. Anyway, Mr.Kou took care of everything. He arranged any study tours so that we were able to see Shanghai furniture from the top to the bottom. He bought each meal which is incredibly gorgeous and drunk alcohol till in the morning. He talked though what the company is doing now and would like to do in the future. I thought they are fascinating who speak those matters ineloquently. I was delighted to see our workshop seemed to be interested by participants mainly consist of students of Mr.Kou's woodwork school. Mr.Kou's group will plan to visit Tokyo next spring. I would like to plan how to take care of them with the best hospitality.
