Introduction of artisans: Menu ----------------------------- Introduction ----------------------------- Introduction "Clothing" Kyo yuzen silk dyeing / Masahiro Ikeuchi Nishijin textile / Takahisa Tamura Kyo yuzen silk dyeing / Ryotaro Hika Kyo Yuzen silk dyeing / Tomoko Fujii Flower arrangement / Michihisa Watanabe ----------------------------- Introduction "Eating and Drinking" Japanese dishes / Takeshi Shinmura Rice / Takashi Hashimoto Sake / Yoshihiro Higashino ----------------------------- Introduction "Living" Synthetic resin / Shigemi Inari Kiyomizu-ware / Hirokazu Kato Woodblock printing / Yuko Harada Jidaigire / Taro Matsumura Folding fans / Takahito Mizukami

I entered rice business driven by my keen desire to enhance consumer recognition of rice. I also hope to promote the rice polishing and blending methods that I have invented.
Before entering my present profession, I was a buyer of children's clothing at Nissen, a mail-order company. Because I dealt in apparel items, I was sensitive to fashionable design for products. I wanted to change the down-to-earth image associated with rice, so by using rice bags of original design and embellishing packages with colorful accessories that evoke images of Kyoto, I have launched our rice products as gifts for various occasions, including thank-you-for-coming gifts for wedding guests.
I quit Nissen after working there for two years. Although I had not planned to quit so soon, I decided to engage in the rice business in 1993, the year of the so-called "rice crisis". In that year, because of the poor harvest in Japan, the Japanese government lifted regulations on rice business and allowed the importation of rice from Thailand. I sensed it was a golden opportunity to start a new rice business. I first worked for a rice wholesaler for one year, to learn the rice business. At the wholesaler, I conducted polishing tests and compared various polishing methods. I also learned rice procurement methods. After one year, when I was 26 years old, I succeeded to my father's business and established new marketing channels. Since I am now 35 years old, this is the tenth year since I began the present business. Over the past decade I have learned many important aspects of this business, so I am proud to know more about the rice business than colleagues who are my age.

I am committed to developing rice articles that give delightful impressions to my customers. I believe that all people must enjoy the business they do. When I became self-employed, I wanted to begin something new and different in the rice business, so that I could continue enjoying my work. In my view, originality is essential in any business. So I wanted to begin a business that no one had ever thought of. I also wanted to do work that I could be proud of as a Japanese. I love Japanese food, which is delicious and healthy. Although Japanese dietary habits are becoming increasingly Westernized, I hope that Japanese people will reevaluate their traditional dietary habits. All Japanese, both rich and poor, eat rice almost every day, and they never tire of it. Since rice is so much a part of our daily life, it has seldom been used as a gift. Considering that the best way to promote high-quality, good-flavored rice is to use it as a gift, I came upon the idea of using rice as a hikidemono a gift for wedding guests in return for their presents. Our rice as a hikidemono has since become popular among wedding couples who seek original gifts that impart their warm regards to wedding guests. Many such couples find it interesting that rice, eaten every day, can impart a message of best wishes for long-lasting health and happiness. Many have told me that they were looking for just such a gift. Moreover, some customers even provided me with new ideas via our web page. On the basis of ideas provided by customers, we have developed still another gift item: ryoen-mai— different varieties of rice contained in two elegant bags, tied together with a red ribbon. The two bags of different designs, representing bride and groom, embody wishes for a long-lasting and happy marriage.

Born to a rice-retailing family, I have eaten various kinds of rice since my childhood, so I can distinguish subtle differences of rice flavors.

During my college days, my friend showed me how to develop human relations via IT networks. He also introduced his friends in Tokyo to me, so I was able to expand my business network nationwide. Through this network, I learned that many young people, some even younger than me, are engaged in exceptional businesses.

I receive many thank-you letters from new couples who used our rice as hikidemono. Some couples have even visited me at my office to give me souvenirs that they bought during their honeymoon trips. I had never been thanked so much for doing my business. I also receive many e-mails telling me that the gift recipients were pleased with the hikidemono. If I were engaged in ordinary rice business, I would never receive so many words of gratitude. Receiving such exceptional responses, I gained confidence in my belief that our rice gifts impart a clear message of wishing people happiness. I also believe that in addition to the rice, our package design plays an essential role in imparting this message.

I hope to promote to the world the rice we polish. I also hope to change the present rice marketing system. I am confident that consumers will appreciate our rice, since they can easily sense the difference in flavor.
Currently, the Japanese rice business is confronting many challenges, such as diminishing yields of good-flavored rice as a result of global warming and increasing imports of Chinese rice. In this environment, the Japanese rice industry must work to add value to Japanese rice. My ultimate goal is to supply to the global market tasty Japanese rice, polished using our technology.