I wanted to inform you in advance, but I was so busy preparing for the exhibition that I didn't have the time to write about it until today.

Last month, we took part in the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) held in New York, the US.

This was the first time that we participated in an American exhibition. I was concerned about how people would react to our seamless three-dimensional washi lamps. What should we do if no one showed interest? While I had these anxieties in my mind, the opening day came very quickly.

We had many visitors from Day 1 and were very busy throughout the day having a hard time communicating with the American staff.

The exhibition was a four-day event and, overall, many people loved our seamless three-dimensional washi lamps. Some of them visited our booth two or three times, murmuring words of praise like "Amazing!" and "Oh, my baby!" Among the products we put on display, the most popular one was the Mokumoku-Pendant. It seems that its irregular cute shape appeals to Americans.

Talking with the visitors (in broken English, of course), I noticed that everyone was smiling when they looked at our washi lamps.

I thought it would be great if this warmth of the washi lamps became known to more people and made them smile.

Now, let me write a little about the city of New York.

In sharp contrast to the spell of snowy weather we had till yesterday, there are patches of blue in the sky today.

Buds are swelling on trees. The season has finally arrived that brings colors back to the landscape.

This post is about an event that took place last month. We participated in the Japanese Living Craft Exhibition of NIPPON MONO ICHI held at Tokyo International Forum.

http://monoichi.smrj.go.jp/ (URL of the NIPPON MONO ICHI website)

An event called MONO ICHI was held where six famous people were asked to choose products they liked, and our three-dimensional washi lamp was chosen by Ms. Shimoda, the editor of Modern Living magazine.

We were very excited. Here is the comment that she gave when announcing her choice.

"Instead of flat paper, the seamless three-dimensional washi lamp from Taniguchi Washi uses three-dimensional washi, which is quite unconventional. Irregular shapes are beautiful. This lamp has made me certain that unpretentious, "as-is" design is admirable by international standards."

We were extremely happy that Ms. Shimoda appreciated the substance of our work.

We were also glad that many people attended the event.

We thank those of you who came.

Our 3D washi lampshades also got online coverage.

・THE DAILY KOGEI

http://dailykogei.blogspot.com/2011/02/3d-washi.html

We appreciate the attention.

We will exhibit our products at the "Lounge of Japanese Design and Lighting" in the LIGHTING FAIR exhibition, which starts on March 8.

http://www.shopbiz.jp/lf/special/#harmonylounge

Rather than an "exhibit," our booth will be more like a "lounge" where people sit and relax to experience the effect and meaning of the light of lamps - something that no one has ever seen before.

Please come and see our products.

Kansei Design Showcase was held in Kanazawa, Japan, in October and in Hong Kong in December.

Attracting a large number of visitors, the event ended with great success.

Our Moon series lighting equipment made with seamless three-dimensional washi was among the products selected for display at the event and exhibited both in Japan and abroad.

Every year, Saudi Arabia holds the annual Janadriyah Festival, which is the only national-level cultural festivity in the country.

Our products have been chosen to be presented at the Japan Lifestyle Showcase exhibition at this festival as articles that offer emotional value.

The thawing season has finally arrived, and the walls of snow piled up during the winter have become a little shorter.

This year, we have often had snow in Tottori since New Year's Day.

It has been the heaviest snowfall since 1983.

After participating in two exhibitions in France, we came back to Japan.

First, let us report on the JAPAN BRAND exhibition in Paris.

The exhibition marked its third anniversary this year, and we attended our booth for the second time in a row since last year.

We met the buyers and other visitors again who had come to see our products last year. The two-day period of the exhibition passed very quickly.

Seamless three-dimensional washi was regarded as a very rare material, and we got approached by a lot of people about the Natural lampshades, which have been improved this year.

It was the third time that the JAPAN BRAND exhibition was held at the Mitsukoshi Etoile Art Gallery. Surprisingly, though, this year's exhibition would be the last to be hosted by Mitsukoshi Etoile. We were told that they would finish their cultural program with the JAPAN BRAND exhibition.

The place was opened in 1992 as the Mitsukoshi Etoile Art Gallery in order to promote cultural exchanges between Japan and France and other European nations.

The building housing the gallery has a long history itself. It was built in the 1860s.

We are very proud to have been able to take part in the last event in a building with such a long history.

It is very sad and a pity that we will not be able to use that place again. Anyway, we appreciate the support they gave us over the last three years.