About us

In 2022, Kuretake will celebrate its 120th anniversary. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for your support and patronage.

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The origin story of Kuretake begins in 1902 with Narakichi Watatani, a sumi craftsman who founded "Watatani Shokai" as a family business of sumi making, a traditional industry in Nara, Japan. Since then, we have earned the trust of our customers while keeping the same "consistent commitment to high-quality", as our founders, and in our belief that "Kuretake is for the customers". In the time since our foundation, Kuretake has opened up its own market by creating a large number of products ahead of our time, such as the Bokuteki (liquid sumi ink) and Fude Pens (brush pens) all while preserving its roots as a sumi manufacturer.

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The liquid sumi ink "Bokuteki" has been a long-selling product for over 60 years since it was first released in 1958, and Fude Pen, which was released in 1980, has been another popular staple for over 40. We thank you for your long and continued use of our products.

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Under the slogan "Reconnect to sentiment by returning to analog, create with emotion, not calculation", Kuretake has defined our business field as "Art and Crafts", and have launched a number of products that convey the thoughtfulness and care of handwriting and crafting by hand.

Kuretake will continue to utilize the spirit and technology of ink making cultivated from its founding business, and aim to be a company that contributes to the development of education and culture, enriching everyone's life through the following business practices. It is our goal to be a company that utilizes the skills and available human resources and to help employees to grow and mature through their experiences on the job.

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1. We will manufacture unique, high-quality products in the fields of Art & Crafts, as well as Cosmetics.

2. We will continue to be the best manufacturer of calligraphy supplies that contributes to the world's writing culture.

3. We will be an exceptional, individualistic manufacturer of art materials that express the traditional colors of Sumi-e(ink painting) and Japanese paintings.

4. Beyond being a manufacturer, we will be a company that provides new experiences for our customers and adds value to their lives.

Today, new lifestyles, markets, economies, and societies are emerging. All companies around the world, including Kuretake, are under pressure to change and adapt.

Since its founding, Kuretake has consistently made products with its root ideas in the "warmth of handwriting" and "goodness of handcrafting". We will pass this spirit down to future generations. On top of that, we will spare no effort to change and grow with the times, putting "Kuretake for our customers" at the frontline of our standards, meeting the needs of our customers by making products that are safe and reliable, and that customers want to use. As a public institution of society, we will continue to strive to be a company that responds swiftly and accurately to changes in the market and society.