About us
Our brand
The Kuretake brand represents the arts and crafts lifestyle with the use of color and shapes.
The colors 'Black' represents Tradition and 'Yellow and Purple' representing Innovation of brushes, pens and paints to support our customer artistic lifestyle. The shapes of circle, square and triangle represent the creation of arts and crafts.
'ZIG' is the brand name for Kuretake’s pen and marker which has been used and loved by many people.
In the 1970’s, Japan experienced nationwide depression during the post-war recession. People everywhere sought out low priced yet high quality stationery productions, and in this era came the birth of the new 'Kuretake ZIG' Fine liner pen. ZIG comes from the word 'zigzag', a concept based on the fluid, back and forth motion which comes with writing. 'Kuretake ZIG' had an extra-fine 0.3mm tip, as well as a slim body design with high-grade cap and stainless clip which was very original for that time. On top of that, 'Kuretake ZIG' became the first hit product of Kuretake stationery to spread worldwide.
From the original product name of 'Kuretake ZIG', we decided to establish 'ZIG' as the general brand of Kuretake Pens and Markers. Now, ZIG products are sold in over 80 countries around the world, growing into a global brand.
Greeting from president
Yoshitaka Yamagiwa
President, Kuretake Co., Ltd.
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.
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.
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. Furthermore, we foster a corporate culture where each employee actively develops and demonstrates their abilities, striving towards ambitious goals.
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We will manufacture unique, high-quality products in the fields of Art & Crafts, as well as Cosmetics.
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We will continue to be the best manufacturer of calligraphy supplies that contributes to the world's writing culture.
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We will be an exceptional, individualistic manufacturer of art materials that express the traditional colors of Sumi-e(ink painting) and Japanese paintings.
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Beyond being a manufacturer, we will be a company that provides new experiences for our customers and adds value to their lives.
We are approaching an era where there is no continuity and unprecedented changes.
Our competitors are not only companies in our industry, but all businesses with innovative values.
Therefore, we need to leverage our agility of scale to build an efficient and stable manufacturing process as “One Kuretake Group” through integration, development, manufacturing, and supply chains.
In the face of these changing times, we as “One Kuretake Group”, will continue to provide unchanging values of “Safety and Enjoyment”.
We pursue not only functional value but also emotional value, and it is this uniqueness that resonates with each person's feelings, and we strive to be a company that brings smiles to everyone involved.
Through Kuretake Group's products and services, we believe that our efforts to strongly connect our users, business partners, all Kuretake Group employees, and the local community represent our "Value contribution to society and the future."
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.
Company Profile
Established
October 1, 1902
Incorporated
August 16, 1932
Capital
80,000,000 Japanese Yen
President
Yoshitaka Yamagiwa
Employees
248
ISO Policy
ISO-9001
In order to meet market demands, our Quality Management System has been maintained and continually improved in accordance with the requirements of ISO-9001.
ISO9001 Management System Registration:
Certification Standard :ISO9001:2008/JIS Q 9001:2008
Registration Number :JQA-QM4892
Date of Registration :June 16, 2000
Certification Body :Japan Quality Assurance Organization(JQA)
ISO-14001
In order to commit environmental aspects, our Environment Management System has been maintained and continually improved in accordance with the requirements of ISO-14001.
ISO14001 Management System Registration:
Certification Standard :ISO14001:2004/JIS Q 14001:2004
Registration Number :JQA-EM6554
Date of Registration :May 28, 2010
Certification Body :Japan Quality Assurance Organization(JQA)