Reflections After Meeting Our Customers, Part 2

~It Is Not Only “Opulence” That First Catches the Eye~

Watching customers in our store, I am reminded that opulence is not necessarily the only reason they first stop to look.

Of course, seasonal decorations are celebratory items, so their splendor and elegance are important parts of their appeal.
The shine of the metalwork, the beautiful color combinations, and the dignified design certainly have a power to catch the eye.
The festive brightness appropriate for a special seasonal milestone is something we want to cherish above all else.

Yet on the sales floor, attention is not drawn only to the most opulent decorations.
Watching customers pause and gaze at them, I feel that there is another reason behind it.

For example, the beauty of the overall appearance.
The calm and elegant color palette.
The way it is festive yet somehow gentle.
And the ability to naturally imagine how it will look when displayed in one's home.
I feel that there are far more people than I expected who are drawn to these qualities.

This is especially true when speaking with young couples.
Rather than simply choosing something grand and opulent, they seem to value how naturally it will fit into their lives and how comfortably they can enjoy displaying it year after year.

Will it suit my home?
Will it fit beautifully in the place I intend to display it?
While it is festive, will it look calm in my everyday surroundings?
Seeing them consider these questions so carefully conveys that they are choosing seasonal decorations not as a one-time celebration, but as something that will accompany their family for years to come.

This does not mean they are looking for something simple.
Rather, I believe they are looking beyond mere opulence to discover what true, lasting beauty really is.
That is precisely why an elegant appearance, a calming presence, and a beauty worth cherishing for years become the reasons for choosing.

On the other hand, grandparents have a deep love for their grandchildren and want to give them the very best they can.
Every time I encounter this feeling, I am reminded that seasonal decorations are important items that carry the thoughts and feelings of the family.
And that feeling, too, seems to stem not from a desire to give something that simply stands out, but from a wish to give something proper, in an appropriate form.

Young couples and grandparents each have their own important considerations.
Yet at the heart of it all, I feel, is the desire to choose something truly fitting for their precious child.

Opulence is certainly one of the appeals of seasonal decorations.
Yet it is not the only thing that moves people. I believe that the elegance it exudes, the beauty that lives naturally in everyday life, and its quiet strength to accompany a family for years also resonate with many people.

As makers, we too want to focus on creating items that do not merely seek opulence, but fit naturally into a family's life and bring joy every time they are displayed year after year.
A festive brightness that is also calm, and elegance that is also dignified.
Perhaps such seasonal decorations are what is truly suited for the times ahead.

Standing in our store, I am reminded once again of what moves our customers.
And this serves as an important opportunity to reconsider the direction of our craftsmanship.

From now on, we will continue to carefully craft seasonal decorations that naturally fit into everyday life and quietly carry the wishes of families.

Fourth Generation　Kyoto Issui

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