CONCEPT
Creation of Centennial Values: items to be enjoyed for a new generation
The central theme of Tales of a Century is to create items for ushering in a new style of everyday life that can be enjoyed, cared for and passed on for generations to come. Adhering to this theme, these items are not mass-produced for mass consumption. Painstakingly created under small scale productions, these products are designed to serve their individual owners for eternity and beyond. Regardless of your sense of value and personal needs, we are confident that you will become fond of them, or can share their pleasure by offering them to your friends and loved ones. The items themselves have such superior craftsmanship and elegant design to captivate you even from a distance. Niigata, with its rich history of craftsmanship and vibrant energy, is pleased to present to the world this collection of items, designed to support as well as create a better style.
QUALITY MARK
The central theme of Tales of a Century is to create items for ushering in a new style of everyday life that can be enjoyed, cared for and passed on for generations to come. Adhering to this theme, these items are not mass-produced for mass consumption. Painstakingly created under small scale productions, these products are designed to serve their individual owners for eternity and beyond. Regardless of your sense of value and personal needs, we are confident that you will become fond of them, or can share their pleasure by offering them to your friends and loved ones. The items themselves have such superior craftsmanship and elegant design to captivate you even from a distance. Niigata, with its rich history of craftsmanship and vibrant energy, is pleased to present to the world this collection of items, designed to support as well as create a better style.
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A certification marking indicating that the item is of a quality and based on a vision befitting its place in Tales of a Century: The Centennial Value Collection.
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A second marking bearing the motif of a Japanese crested ibis – a beautiful bird that symbolizes Niigata Prefecture, indicating that the item is produced by the excellent skills of the local craftsmen in Niigata Prefecture. Incidentally, the Japanese crested ibis, with the scientific name of Nipponia nippon, is also a bird that represents Japan.
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A third marking indicating the year in which the item was developed.
In addition to the Christian era, the Japanese also use the twelve signs of the Japanese zodiac to designate a calendar year. For instance, the year 2016 is also the year of the Monkey, and the Japanese character for monkey is displayed on the marking to indicate the developing year.
ABOUT NIIGATA
Niigata prefecture is located in the center of the Japan Sea coast of Honshu Island. It is surrounded by the Asahi, Iide, and Echigo mountains lying in the east, and the West Kubiki and Hakuba mountains lying in the west.
Many rivers including the Shinano river flow from these mountains and empty into the Sea of Japan, forming broad and rich rice-producing areas known as the Echigo and Takada plains. In the Sea of Japan, we also have two islands named Sado and Awashima. Niigata is surrounded by abundant nature with four distinctive seasons, which enhance our prefecturefs natural beauty.
A MESSAGE FROM NICO
Niigata is a place where many excellent products, used in our everyday living, are created via superior techniques by our distinguished craftsmen. These craftsmen, along with the businesses in the prefecture, are eager to bring their outstanding skills to an even higher level. NICO intends to channel their energies together into creating better items for the world, so that not only Niigata, but the whole world can benefit from a better and more enjoyable lifestyle. With our campaign activities this year acting as a launchpad, the network of Niigata’s businesses and craftsmen will continue to offer to the world items that usher in the next generation lifestyle, and make a difference to your life.