September, 2008 "ew release: TENGA Microwave safe"

We can hear crickets chirping these days. Until just the other day, we were trying to get away from the late summer heat. However, autumn is already here. Last month I visited Hokkaido and Tohoku area. I had an opportunity to eat sanma, Pacific saury, fresh from the sea in a sushi bar in Sapporo. I wonder why good-tasting food has such a power to make people smile. For this month, I have been traveling in western Japan. It is September 17th today. I am in Fukuoka writing this Staff Report with a bit of uneasiness about the typhoon landing in the southern part of Kyushu tomorrow.

TENGA Microwave safe series is released from DESUS on Sept. 1. I believe they will join your favorite kitchen tools, since you can use them in 3 ways: as a canister, a cooker, and a serving dish. I visited the stores in Hiroshima which sold them ahead of others. I got some good ideas for our up-coming products through conversations with contact people in each store. Check out 'EXHIBITION' for further sales information in Hiroshima.

In Hiroshima, I visited the Atomic Bomb Dome after work. It was just a few days ago that I watched a TV program about war. Putting business aside, I prayed for world peace there. Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium, which is in its last year, came into my sight when I chanced to look toward the other side of the street from the Dome. Luckily, I was also able to see Fukuyama Castle, though it was from the Shinkansen platform. On every business trip, I try to make time to look around before and after work, chasing after opportunities to learn from history.

Design Wave 2008 in Toyama' will be the topic for next month's report. (Written by Hiro, Sales)

August, 2008 "Shooting for TENGA leaflet"

It's that time of the season when we can find piece of autumn in showroom windows, even though we still feel summer's heat.
In September, the long-awaited microwave-safe containers will finally join the TENGA series.

With the samples just from the factory, the shooting for the leaflet was done. We asked Mr Takamatsu, the head chef in the western food section of Meitetsu Toyama Hotel, a long-established hotel in Toyama, for the dishes used in the photographs. He is a well-known chef who received a bronze medal in The World Cooking Olympics in Berlin. Stew, marinade, etc... all the dishes looked beautiful and so delicious. It was unfortunate not to have a chance to taste them.
Believe it or not, I took part as a hand-model this time. Later on while looking at the data of the pictures, I was at a loss for words because it shows that my hands are for someone who does housework. It is the truth though...
I hope the data will be modified well to make them look much nicer.
TENGA, made of meth acryl and in stores now, is introduced in the feature article, 'Love to Choose Favorite Kitchen Tools' in the first issue of 'STYLE Marche,' the magazine by EI. Don't miss it. (Written by Sumitani, Project Manager)

July, 2008 " Summer Vacation"

I managed to get a summer vacation right before the rainy season finished here in Japan. These days many sample fairs have been held. In addition, I've been constantly pressed for time everyday, back and forth between customers due to "interior life style." In order to regain some peace of mind, I decided to fly to Guam with my wife and son.
Visiting sight-seeing spots, enjoying snorkeling in the ocean, the healing view of tropical fish in an aquarium . . . five days went by so fast; but this trip gave me time to refresh my mind and heart. In a country just below the equator, the sunlight was much more intense than I expected. I found out too late that you can get a suntan even under the cloudy sky in Guam. In the end, I was as deeply tanned as the native people living there.
I was supposed to forget all about business during the trip. However, the reality was different. My nature didn't let me do so.
Richell, the parent company of DESUS, produces everything related to households. That is why I can't help looking around to get any ideas that may be useful for our products.
At Kansai airport, many travelers with baby strollers caught my eye. Being so curious about how our baby carriage works, I approached a couple using ours to ask some questions about it and even helped them board. After swimming in the hotel pool, I sat back in a beach chair. The planter attracted my attention. There were several kinds of plants there; a tropical island was created inside. We also produce and sell large planters as you see in the picture below.

We had a buffet lunch after enjoying snorkeling. The plates were made from plastic. They reminded me of the LUX series, designed by Philippe Starck, while I was eating my meal. It seems hard for me to totally escape from work . . .
This month 'ELLE DECO AUGUST' 2008 edition will be published.
The special feature is "Interiors of Foreigners' Homes in Japan". You can experience the fusion of Japanese and other cultural styles though the magazine. Also, "Expression Goes On In Milano: The Shapes Of Beauty," by Makio Hasuike is on pp.172 and 173. Check it out.
Well, I got back to work today. Because of the refreshing trip, it seems easier to grapple with my job.(Written by Hiro, Sales)

June, 2008 ""ELLE a table JULY 2008" Secret story from tie-up advertisement's photo shooting."

Magazine"ELLE a table JULY 2008" is published. The special feature is "Be a master of curry in this summer". Page 126-127, you also can find 'Enjoy acrylic made housewares in early summer's garden party.
Photo shooting was carried out at Mr. Hasuike's home in Milan. A wisteria just full-blossomed in the terrace. There was a kitchen next to the sunroom where photo shooting was on, and the dishes were really cooked. Ingredients were all from the local, Made in Milano!

In the garden that had been renewed this year, a guesthouse with a bathroom was build. A bedroom is in the secound floor, it seemed to be very comfortable. I want to stay once.
Receving a lot of good reputations, do not miss "gaio" products which are suitable to use in coming season.
(Written by Sumitani, Project Manager)

May, 2008 "NITTEN 100 years"

How did you spent a time in golden week?
I went to "NITTEN 100 years"(Japan Fine Art Exhibition) at the Museum Modern Art, Toyama. Because of 100 years anniverssary, in this year there were many outstanding works displayed since Meiji era. It was different looks from Nitten at the ordinary year.
By the way, did you know "Nitten Sanzan"? Higashiyama Kaii, Sugiyama Yasushi, and Takayama Tatsuo, three of them are called. Never too old to learn. It also reminded me "SANSEKI" that I learned a long time ago.
I bought three postcards at the museum shop. I always buy a postcard whenever going to the art exhibition, then puts it in the photo frame in the living-room. I like the design taking the season in advance a little. In May I brought in the freshness at the early summer with Toshio Nakanishi's design.

DESUS products can be purchased in Museum shop. As for NITTEN is until 18-May, a permanent exhibition has been considerably enhanced as well. Please stop by and check DESUS products in Museum Shop.
(Written by Sumitani, Project Manager)

April, 2008 "Milan Sarone 2008"

Milan Sarorne in 2008 was a year of 'Eurocucina' which was exhibited kitchen articles, furniture and interior articles at same time. I attended a photo shoot for Magazine Advertising concurrently and went to Milano in the end of April.
I enjoyed and felt good impression of visiting FuoriSalone with a flag sign of 'INTERNI' held in various places of Milano besides main venue of the event FieraMilano. It was more than my expectation.
It was regrettable to just go on business. I wanted to enjoy it more. It is Milano Sarone of the design town.

The photo shoot for Magazine Advertising of a main purpose of this trip went smoothly with nice weather that wipes out the desolate weather until the day before Please see and check Mr. Hasuike's design office and his wonderful home (debut!) with the DESUS advertisement in June edition of 'ELLE a table' and July edition of 'ELLE DECO'.
(Written by Sumitani, Project Manager)

March, 2008 "Feeling four seasons. "

It seems that spring has come. I am going around Japan as usual.
I felt the severity of winter in Hokkaido and Tohoku in February. Though I was proud of being strong in "Cold"since I grew up in Toyama where was also snowy area, I felt various cold at northern provinces or cities; Tokyo and Osaka. In Sapporo, Aomori, and Morioka, powder snow was piled in each station I got off, if possible I want to feel them in the ski area.
Toyama, my hometown, has become warm in the middle of March, horsetails are showing up, and cherry buds begin to swell. I schedule to go to the Chugoku region in April and to Fukuoka this month. Then I will go north with the cherry blossom front. Feeling the change of seasons in various places. this might be real pleasure of Sales.

I visited "HOTERES JAPAN 2008" held at Big site in this month.
Three large tableware manufacturers in Japan worked out elaborate taste. Through their booths, I was asking myself "It might be assumed to this tableware to dish up what kind of food". Moreover, in bridal party & gift corner I reconsidered the idea of "Gift to me" to say nothing of "Gift to my friends".
It might be also interesting to turn on a product has a little spice works, though it is brand "DESUS" that offers "small tools" that can be happily used at home.

Well, it is about "Milano Salone" in April. Mr. Watanabe and Ms. Sumitani will visit over there. Enjoy the latest report from them. (Written by Hiro, Sales)

February, 2008 "ambiente from Frankfurt, Germany"

From February 7 to the 13th, I went to the international consumer goods fair held in Frankfurt after visting Milano.
It is Meissen porcelain as for Germany. I went to the shop in Frankfurt to find something as a memorey. I picked the plate about 15cm in the diameter. It was a plate making delicately with a blue pattern in a white ground.
"201 euro"
201 Euro?　It is not 200.
By the way, one euro was about 160 yen, so it was 32,000 yen per piece. I had to make sure it should whether 20.1 or 201Euro with a clerk, unfortunately it was not 20.1 euro. Even in local, it was still expensive. I returned the plate to the shelf quickly

Well, my recommendation this month is CURVA Put Can M. My seven-years-old boy who never listen me puts a garbage on the table after cleaning his running nose and keeps playing. I put avtissue box on Put Can M in this winter and set it up around a hot carpet near his playground. Successfully he started cleaning his garbage, however it might be called "Spoil him too much".

By the way I have missed to watch the movie "Utz", let's borrow DVD on this weekend. (Written by Sumitani, Project Manager)

January, 2008 "Happy New Year!"

We had some snow between the end of December and the beginning of January here in Toyama.
It was the first time in years that I went to Awasuno ski resort at the foot of Tateyama with my family during new year holidays. On January 3, we woke up late, had Ozoni (rice-cake soup) and finally left for the ski resort around noon. We started to ski with half-day tickets, which were available from 12:30. We were lucky that we did not have to stand in line at the lift for long, either because it was the day before the first working day this year or the population of skiers has decreased.
It was fine and there was good snow so that my son, who is a first grader, was greatly satisfied at the best ski conditions for beginners.

Speaking of New year holidays, “New year dishes” are coming and in winter, “tangerine” is the first thought. Our recommendations for this month are two deluxe items: “GAIO Colander” and “TENGA H-5.”
I use “GAIO Colander” as a fruit bowl. This is not its proper use, but the acrylic clear bowl makes fruits really beautiful. Its handle is firm and graspable, too. It may be good to change fruits with season, like persimmons or bananas. “TENGA H-5” matches with new year dishes. To tell the truth, I have never cooked new year dishes since I stay at my parent’s home every for the new year holidays, like a parasite. What a happy person (this is me) who can have black beans in two different tastes or red-white marinated food made by both mothers (my mother and mother-in-law). How will I take over both homemade dishes? This is my homework which has never been done yet.
We hope for your continuous support with our DESUS series in this year, 2008. (Written by Sumitani, Project Manager)