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When our clients want a truly extraordinary paper or cardboard, we invite them to our showroom for a cup of good Japanese tea and introduce them to the swatches from Takeo Paper in Japan. They contain tens of thousands of items that are simply impossible not to choose from. That's why we always say - if you want something really special, you'll find it in Japan.
If you've ever visited Japan, you probably understand. And if you haven't, you might at least have an idea. Because the Japanese have everything and in several variations. Their portfolios are always very intense, meticulously organized, elaborate and literally overflowing. We found out for ourselves this summer when part of our Hässlers team had the opportunity to spend a few days in Tokyo. It was a formative experience that will influence us for the rest of our lives. All of us, not just our boys aged 3, 9 and 12.
Visiting Japan is culture shock in the truest sense of the word. Nothing is as you are used to. There is an incredible amount of everything. And everything is incredibly cool. The metropolis itself literally embodies the English word "overwhelming". No wonder we couldn't wait to see the legendary Mihoncho Honten showroom in the middle of Tokyo amidst all the sensations and emotions.
By the way, we weren't just blown away by our visit to Tokyo because of the unique experience of a completely different culture. For us ( and our clients ) Japan has another, very important dimension - the materials from Takeo can work wonders. And they have transformed even an ordinary box into a miracle many times. It is Japanese papers and cartons that give character to the packaging for our clients Manasi, Kintsugi or Oraculum.
We were pretty much a classic group of Tokyo-addled European visitors, so we didn't expect any special treatment in the whitewashed "temple of paper". We do hand over our business card, but the salesman understandably just gesticulates with bows of incomprehension and after a while disappears somewhere backstage in the minimalist yet stunning showroom with its thousands of dazzling white floor-to-ceiling drawers. Every detail is perfect. It was worth a visit just to see it with your own eyes!
But suddenly a delegation in suits appears. Friendly smiles, bows, and we begin to understand that Takeo Paper knows very well who we are. And that the business card with the Hässlers logo has opened the door for us much more than we would have dared to expect. "Manasi boxes, yes, yes. Elizabeth Jungr's book, sure, we got it from London from Michal Danda from S paperwho distributes Takeo papers in the Czech Republic. A beautiful publication!" The surprise of how well they know our production in Tokyo took our breath away without exaggeration.
Followed by an invitation to a discussion and a tour of the private gallery. We learn that there are over 100 employees working in the offices above the showroom and that Takeo has several other stores throughout Asia. We've always appreciated how quickly our orders are processed from somewhere in a small country in Europe. With a typical Japanese smile, our colleagues assured us that the distribution centre in Tokyo Bay can prepare any order for dispatch in 2 minutes and 38 seconds. Simply... Japan.
The atmosphere all the time is not only business-like, but poetic. Mr. Yoshimitsu Maruno presents us with the diary that Takeo gives to its partners every year. Always with a new artistic theme and for 60 years! When he explains the philosophical background of the concept, we also receive a volume as a gift. At parting, the Japanese are so nice that they are not even surprised when part of our touched expedition simply shakes their hands instead of the traditional deep bows that are the basis of the ethics of Japanese business meetings.
Satogami, Shin Danshi, Kuro Kihoushi, Tela, GA file, Art Dreep or Awagami. It's almost unbelievable that these exotic brands are not extra expensive compared to European paper brands. Just unknown. And it's a huge shame! So if you're not planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, we invite you to at least visit our showroom. You will have not only swatches to look at, but also samples of the products we can realize for you from Japanese materials.
