ABOUT US
Hello! We are Kenji and Sachie Uraya from "Nihon Ii Mono Ya" (Japanese Good Things Shop). We'd like to introduce ourselves and our shop through photos we've taken around the world. While this introduction may be a bit long, we wrote it to help us remember our core mission. We hope it will spark your interest in our shop and who we are.
Why Did We Start Nihon Ii Mono Ya?
- Seeing Japan from the Outside - "Nihon Ii Mono Ya || MIIHIN" was started by Kenji Uraya and his wife Sachie. From January 2013 to January 2014, we traveled around the world. Our biggest revelation during this journey was: "Japan is such an amazing country!" Surprisingly, spending a year abroad made us most appreciate Japan's uniqueness. Is it just because we were born there? No, we don't think that's all there is to it. Of course, every country has its own wonderful qualities, and there are many things Japan could learn from others. For instance, Islam, often misunderstood, teaches kindness and hospitality to all. Iran, despite its intimidating reputation, might have had the kindest, most genuine people we encountered. Their spontaneous kindness, free from overthinking, is something to admire.
Values differ, and that's perfectly fine. But whenever we compared Japan with the countries we visited, we kept coming back to the thought: "Japan is truly special!" When we pondered why, we realized it came down to one thing: "Omoi" (thoughtful consideration). In Japan, many things are created with deep consideration for others. This leads to constant improvements based on others' needs, even for unseen individuals. You might call it empathy or imaginative consideration.
- Craftsmanship - This "Omoi" is perhaps most evident in Japanese craftsmanship. While foreign products can sometimes be roughly made (though there are excellent exceptions), Japanese products typically reflect deep consideration for users' needs. That's why they're globally trusted for their quality. In every country we visited, people praised Japanese products for their durability and quality. While many try to copy Japanese products, they can imitate the form but not the "Omoi." This consideration shows in the details and creates the difference in user satisfaction.
- Creating Value Through "Omoi" - After returning to Japan, we spent months meeting people, discussing, and reflecting. We came to believe that traditional crafts and manufacturing represent the pinnacle of Japanese "Omoi." These contain the deep commitment of artisans and craftspeople. We felt this deserves far more recognition worldwide. However, we noticed that sometimes the craftspeople's intense focus on creation becomes one-directional. While their technical skills are exceptional, they sometimes lose touch with modern needs. Historical needs have evolved, and sadly, focusing solely on tradition without considering current demands can lead to decline. True value emerges when both creation and user needs are considered.
Indeed, many traditional craft industries are struggling, and some traditions are being lost. However, this situation can be changed by adding a contemporary perspective. Products that combine tradition and technology with modern necessities. As we explored, we discovered artisans and manufacturers already working with this concept. We decided to create a shop that carefully selects products with genuine "Omoi" and communicates their stories thoughtfully. This could help preserve Japan's traditional craft industries. We want to share these "Japanese good things" with the world, highlighting the unique Japanese "Omoi"! We're certain this value will be appreciated globally.
- Our Goals - Conveying "Omoi" isn't easy, especially globally. That's why we believe in proposing a lifestyle created around these excellent Japanese products. Some aspects of "Omoi" can only be understood through lifestyle integration. Products alone don't create value; they need context to resonate internationally. We're thinking about a distinctly Japanese lifestyle - one that removes excess while adding richness. In English, the closest word might be "refinement."
We need to move beyond mass production and consumption to build a new lifestyle. Through our webshop, we want to propose a refined lifestyle where quality items with "Omoi" are cherished and used tastefully for many years. Eventually, we hope to create physical spaces where people can experience this lifestyle.
For our global audience, we aim to brand Japan through this new lifestyle concept. While it may take time, we believe physical locations abroad are essential. We plan to establish Japanese lifestyle shops worldwide. This might sound ambitious, but it's our genuine "Omoi." We state this without hesitation because we're committed to seeing it through.
If any part of this resonates with you, please support us! We know we can't do this alone. If you share our vision, please join us! Let's work together to make Japan even more remarkable!
Toward a Japan We Can Be Even Prouder Of.