Today is an introduction of Japanese sweet shop “wagashi asobi” in Ota Ward, Tokyo.
The brands of three Japanese sweets craftsmen based on this philosophy
“Make wagashi (Japanese sweets) with feeling to one moment and one grain (one by one)”. I have the opportunity to hear stories about the brand from representative Motoshiro Inaba, they have been working with very nice ideas.
He worked for a long time at Toriya (Traditional Japanese sweet shop) and he was also working at a New York branch, then he has been independent after returning Japan and seventh in this year. There are only two items at “wagashi asobi”. The one on Mr. Inaba’s work “Herbal Rakugan” and his partner Asano’s confidential work “Dried fruit yokans”.
+wagashi asobi as a Japanese sweet shopWe are aiming for a small Japanese confectionary store in a shopping district not for multi store expanded routes.
By concentrating on the products to be sold into two types, Asano and Inaba’s confidential work “Dried fruit Yokans” and “Herbal Rakugan”, we are committed to the management and quality improvement of our products with a full heart.
We would like to grow to a Japanese confection that you can choose as a handicraft prideful to local people.(from wagashi asobi website)
“Dried fruit Yokans”
“Herbal Rakugan”
I thought that the attitude of thinking locals first thing is very nice than anything else. From that clear idea, I feel straight and confident strength but they have a very polite and humble posture, also I think that it is wonderful that they are constantly trying not to maintain the status quo, and to explore the possibilities through Japanese sweets.
In addition, he expressed briefly what kind of work they are working with.
“Occupation and Work”
Occupation: Japanese sweets craftsman
Work: To make people happy
“Job and Work”
Job: Wrap Manju (A bun filled with sweet bean paste)
Work: Think about how to make more than others, think about what to do for the next person in the process. Job + Think = Work
“Technique and Skills”
Technique: Anyone can do manualization (can pass)
Skills: What you learn by acquiring (things you can not pass to the next generation)
Actually, since there were these three stories at the beginning of the story, at this point I was already drawn into the story and became a fan of the brand
What do you think about these three? As a designer and as a lover of any creators, maybe there are some drag with them but because he talked in an easy-to-understand manner what I thought somehow exactly, in words, so that there was something quite understanding among me, I thought that I am sure that it would apply to anyone who worked and thought about introducing it on my blog.
As with the Swedish coffee (outdoor) brand “Lemmel Kaffe” previously introduced, thinking that there is something in common with the attitude of having a deep love on the merchandise and enjoying the work, taking advantage of the strength of the small brand. And I felt once again that the minds of maker were transmitted to the recipient.
wagashi asobi has stores in Ota Ward, Tokyo, and seems to be receiving orders online as well.
On special occasions, special people seem to be making original special sweets, so if you touched the brand please do not hesitate to contact them.
Also, if you want to know more about this wonderful brand, they also sell books.
“It is a book that summarizes ideas and philosophy on the culture of small and local business models and Japanese sweets”, the book itself is also a nice design, it is one book I would like to keep at hand.
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