From Silk to a Global Character Empire
2026-08-21
From Silk to a Global Character Empire
In 1960, Shintaro Tsuji founded a small company called Yamanashi Silk Center.
In 1960, Shintaro Tsuji founded a small company called Yamanashi Silk Center.
As the name suggests, the company initially dealt with silk products from Yamanashi, a region known for its silk industry. But Tsuji soon discovered something interesting.
People were not buying only the product itself.
A simple product could become more attractive when it carried a cute design. And when that product was given to someone else, the design added emotion to the gift.
This realization gradually changed the direction of the company.
Silk led to gifts.
Gifts led to design.
Design led to original characters.
Gifts led to design.
Design led to original characters.
Tsuji began to understand that his company was not really selling products. It was helping people communicate, connect, and make each other happy through small gifts.
That idea eventually became:
Small Gift, Big Smile.
In 1974, the company created a little character that would eventually become recognized around the world: Hello Kitty.
And the small company that began as Yamanashi Silk Center?
Today, we know it as SANRIO.
A company does not have to be defined by what it sells today. Sometimes its greatest opportunity is discovering what business it is really in.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
Uchikura & Co., LLC
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
Uchikura & Co., LLC
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..