To continue challenging ourselves to make tomorrow different from yesterday. To go beyond conventional wisdom and create something new.
Ichikawamisato-cho (formerly Rokugo-cho), Yamanashi Prefecture, where Harada Shokodo is located, is a city of seals, and since it is a family business, I have been surrounded by seals since I was born. But I did not like seals. The goodness of tradition and unchanging values are wonderful and cool. But when I was young, I may have felt that I could not change, that there was little room for change. But now it is different. In this day and age, where the opportunities to use seals and even the meaning of having them are gradually diminishing due to digitalization and simplification, I think there are things that can be done. Harada Shokodo has played a role in connecting the craftsmen who carve seals, the manufacturers who manufacture commercial materials, and the retailers who sell them. It is an incredible joy to work while imagining what will lead to the next step and what will make people happy, and that has not changed since I took over this job. There is no limit to the feeling of expressing gratitude. In the same way, I think that there are still many possibilities and roles for seals. I will continue to tell myself, "Take on a challenge!" and aim for a tomorrow where people not only in Japan but all over the world will say, "I fell in love with you because I saw the Harada mark."
HISTORY OF HARADA SHOKODO
History of Harada Shokodo
1918
"From Yamanashi, let's compete in Osaka!"
Founder Morikazu Harada opens a retail store selling seals and printing in Osaka City.
1948-1955
"Let's make a fresh start in the hometown of seals," "look to the development of local industries and the future of the industry," and "work under the Harada name."
・Driven out of Osaka by air raids, resumed retail and wholesale seal business in Iwama, Rokugo-cho, Yamanashi Prefecture
・Participated in the formation of the Yamanashi Prefecture Printing Supplies Wholesalers Association, which is made up of 13 companies in the prefecture.
・Harada Shokodo Co., Ltd. is established.
1970
"To the stage where we can preserve and develop it" "To create a base where all seals can be gathered and passed on from here"
・Harada Tamotsu became the second generation president.
・New office building completed. It is now the place where all the seals handled by Harada can be seen.
1984-1985
"To deliver high-level technology to more people," "Sales events for customers," and "To promote friendly competition with fellow traders."
・Became one of the first in Yamanashi Prefecture to introduce an automatic seal engraving machine
・First independent fair held (Heiankaku)
・Exhibited at the 1st Yamanashi Stamp Fair, sponsored by the Yamanashi Prefecture Stamp Wholesalers and Industrial Cooperative Association. Continued until 2015.
1992-1997
"Make STAMP a part of your everyday life!" "You can receive your own stamp without having to come to the store."
Opened a rubber stamp manufacturing factory. Not just following tradition, but keeping up with the times.
The rubber stamp mail order division "Joy Stamp" was established, marking the first step towards the current Harada Pop-Do.
2000
"While protecting our unique ideas..."
Obtained patent for rubber stamp copy communication system
2004
"I don't care about the headwinds. I want to keep trying."
Hiroshi Harada became the third president.
2007-2009
"We're not just selling seals. We're creating a future for customers and retailers." "Isn't it important to know the people who make them?"
・Launched the "Harada Web Solution" service, which provides sales support to seal shops, and expanded sales channels nationwide.
・Launched "THE Inbanshi", a video site introducing stamp craftsmen.
2010-2012
"I don't like just waiting around." "Just like you have your favorite clothes, you should have your own stamp case." "It's been a while since we've held our own event, so this is a huge giveaway!"
-Exhibited at the "Order Goods Business Show" for the first time, continuing to do so until 2016.
・The first in the industry to allow you to order original seal cases, even just one at a time! "Harada Case Workshop" opens.
・"Customer Laughing Gathering" will be held independently and will continue the following year. (Kaiterasu)
2016-2018
"A new challenge from BTOB to BTOC" "100th anniversary, to the global Harada"
・The live sales demonstration "Harada's Dad's Seal Order" has begun at the Tokyu Hands Shinjuku store! This will continue until 2018.
・Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the company exhibited at the OC Japan Fair 2018 and will continue to participate in 2019. (USA)
2019
"Let's see the vast American market with our own eyes!" "HELLO LOS ANGELES! We're going to sell hanko in America." "We want to spread the regional resources that Japan is proud of."
- Traveled across California to research demand for hanko stamps.
・Exhibit at the Los Angeles Tanabata Festival.
・Selected for a grant for "businesses utilizing local industrial resources or activities aimed at revitalizing the local economy," further strengthening collaboration with local businesses.
2020
"Don't let the uniquely Japanese culture of seals fall into disuse!"
The company was selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "JAPAN Brand Development Support Project" for the second consecutive year, and began full-scale expansion into overseas markets.
2020
Introducing 3D printers!
We have introduced 3D printers as a tool for our future growth strategy and new product development.
2021
"To revive local industries and connect Japanese culture to global culture"
We are building a world of seals that is understood around the world, including e-commerce sites for overseas customers and Genji METAL.
2022
MONO JAPAN FAIR 2022
In September, we exhibited at the "MONO JAPANFAIR 2022" held in Amsterdam, and were able to meet many wonderful people and their smiles through stamps.
2022
Christmas Campaign
From late November to the end of December, we ran the "Give a Stamp for Christmas" campaign in North America, which received a huge response!
2023
MONO JAPAN FAIR 2023
Following last year, we will be exhibiting at "MONO JAPAN FAIR 2023" held in Amsterdam.
New workshops were held and the event was a huge success every day.
2024
Meeting with the Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture
On March 11th, I had the opportunity to meet with Yamanashi Prefecture Governor Kotaro Nagasaki as a businessperson.
We talked about the current state of the seal industry, which is a local industry in Yamanashi Prefecture and is currently facing a very difficult situation, as well as our company's independent efforts to develop overseas sales channels for seals and respond to inbound demand, as well as the various results and anecdotes we have gained from this, and many ideas for commercialization in the future.
