About Us
Born from the desperation of the 1783 Great Tenmei Famine.
For nearly 300 years and across 14 generations, the Koei Group has continued to craft lucky charms in Shirakawa, Fukushima.
Family Motto
"Be someone who thrives overseas."
This is the family motto of the Koei Group. We refuse to rest on the laurels of 300 years of tradition. We want to remain a lucky charm that reaches hearts across time and borders. That is our wish.
A Message From the 14th
Hello. I'm Takaaki Watanabe, the 14th generation of Shirakawa Daruma Sohonpo.
There are words I live by:
"Traditional crafts are reborn through design."
Nearly 300 years of family business is certainly a weight, but if we let it lull us into complacency and never update our products, time will leave us behind. Make young people say "kawaii." Make people abroad say "cool." That is how we carry this culture into the next 300 years.
Fall, and rise again. The way of life a daruma teaches — we bring it into how we run our business.
Three Core Beliefs
1. Turn traditional industries into industries of dreams.
For craft to be passed on to the next generation, there must be a dream. We sharpen the brand, widen the channels, and guarantee compensation and fulfillment. In doing so, local craftsmanship nurtures local culture — and contributes to sustainable regional development.
2. Deliver a smile in the face of adversity.
The daruma has survived the Great Tenmei Famine. In times of hardship — pandemics, earthquakes, recessions — a small red smile can push someone forward. We want our products to remain a tool for "standing up, one more time."
3. 7.8 billion people, all fans of daruma.
It may sound audacious, but we mean it. A day when a sales representative introduces themselves and the answer is: "Shirakawa Daruma — of course we know." That is our 10-year goal, for Japan — and for the world.
Company Profile
| Company | Koei Co., Ltd. (Shirakawa Daruma Sohonpo) |
| Founded | 1783 (Tenmei 3) |
| Representative | Takaaki Watanabe, 14th Generation |
| Address | 30 Yoko-machi, Shirakawa, Fukushima 961-0907, Japan |
| Business | Manufacture and sale of Shirakawa daruma, akabeko, and collaboration lucky charms. |
| Related Brands | Daruma Land / Akabeko Land |