In this era of 100-year lifespans, I have spent a quarter of a century learning within a corporate environment.

As I approached a milestone age, I began to contemplate a career where I could shape my own life from then on. This led me to consider "pattern research," a subject I had been interested in and researching personally since my student days, as my personal theme.

To delve deeper into patterns, I wanted to learn by working with some kind of material. With this in mind, I began searching for a place where I could learn "weaving" as a technique of expression.

Okinawa is a treasure trove of weaving and dyeing. Among them, I was fortunate enough to find a connection with Miyako Island, the birthplace of the traditional Japanese craft "Miyako Jofu." It was also important to me that I believed Miyako Island's ikat weaving had a fascinating background from the perspective of pattern research.

To gain experience with weaving, I initially studied as an intern. After my internship, along with research and production, I began to feel a desire to share the beauty and treasures of ancient Japan, and to have their splendor rediscovered both domestically and internationally. This became the impetus for establishing my own company. Our connection with Miyako Island has sparked a variety of new ventures.

 

It all began with a desire to pass on the historical hand-weaving tradition, which was in danger of disappearing, to the next generation.

 

This led to the development of a herbal tea—a blend of weaving fibers and Ryukyu herbs—and, wanting to share the island's beautiful nature, we expanded into developing dyed accessories.

 

Miyako Island is also a gentle island with many stray cats. Our collaboration with a cat-loving tuna supplier also sparked the idea of ​​developing safe and healthy pet food using one of the island's specialties, tuna.

 

We hope to spread happiness in various ways, sharing our spirit of "umukutu" (a traditional Okinawan word for "happiness" or "joy").

 

We are grateful for all the connections and relationships we've had so far, and together with everyone involved, we will take on exciting challenges that lead to happiness.

 

Together with everyone involved, we aim for even greater happiness.

 

And we hope to deliver small moments of happiness throughout Japan and the world.

 

Clear Grace Corporation LLC

Representative: Sumie Togo

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Representative's Background

After graduating from Kanagawa Prefectural Kibogaoka High School, she entered the Department of Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, and completed her studies at the university's Department of Formative Design Laboratory. She won the Grand Prix at the "Ceramics and Youth" design contest sponsored by the City of Florence, Italy, and Richard Ginori. She worked in cosmetics development at Noevir Co., Ltd., and then moved to Oriental Land Co., Ltd., where she was involved in branding and marketing through product development. After transferring from the product department, she was in charge of Disney education, internal motivation initiatives, Disney manuals, service quality improvement, and barrier-free access within theme parks. Outside the company, she served as an external special committee member for the CS Promotion Committee of a major city bank and as a judge for a service contest of a major airline. Her final position was Head of the Customer Satisfaction Promotion Department.

 

Based on her experience working in corporations, she also provides branding and marketing support, personnel training, and service quality checks for companies. In addition, she gives lectures at universities and local communities, and is involved in regional revitalization projects. Please feel free to contact her.