BLENDING EASTERN AND WESTERN ART MATERIAL
SINCE 1954
Yasutomo and Company was established in June 1954 by Mr. Ben Yasutomo. A man of vision, Mr. Yasutomo believed that global marketing was possible back in the 1950s because he recognized that consumers in both the U.S. and Japan wanted products from the other’s country. He decided to set up an office in San Francisco, strategically located to develop commerce between the two countries. The initial goal was to supply stationery and artist materials from Japan to the U.S. and to distribute American candy and snack food products to Japan.
In the early stages, Yasutomo imported gift and paper products from Japan and soon expanded into Asian art supplies. In the 1960s, Yasutomo introduced the Pentel Sign Pen to the American market. The world’s first fiber-tipped pen was well received and was even used by then President Lyndon B. Johnson in the White House. After achieving success in the art supply and office products markets, Yasutomo added several innovative writing instruments and stationery products under the NIJI and Y&C brand names. These products included the GRIP pens and pencils; Stylist pens for designers; PermaWriters for artists and crafters; FabricMate markers for wearable art enthusiasts; Silverado brushes for painting; Origami paper; and recently the Gel Xtreme gel pens that have been taking the market by storm.
In October 2019, American KUSA Corporation acquired Yasutomo and its warehouse and operations relocated to Torrance, California. The new Yasutomo focus is to continue the tradition of offering affordable yet quality products, while inspiring creativity and promoting fun!
OUR HISTORY
1. Ben Yasutomo, San Francisco.
Yasutomo and Company was formed in San Francisco and
began its pursuit of finding unique, interesting, yet practical products to
distribute in art material, gift and stationery stores across America.
1. Ben Yasutomo, San Francisco.
2. Yasutomo Warehouse , SF, 1954
In the beginning, his marketing plan consisted of exhibiting at the Trade Only San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and New York Gift Shows. At these venues, gift and stationery store owners would get a glimpse at the latest product trends from Japan.
2. Yasutomo Warehouse , SF, 1954
3. Origami Paper ad
As time went on, the demand for artist materials such as Rice Paper, Japanese sumi-e items, and craft products like origami paper began to increase substantially so the company decided it should join the National Art Material Trade Association (NAMTA) and participate in their national/regional events. It was also during this time Japanese manufacturers started producing Western art materials, such as pens and markers, to distribute in Japan as well as internationally.
3. Origami Paper ad
4. President Johnson Article
In 1963, Yasutomo imported the world’s first fiber-tipped pen, the Pentel Sign Pen.1 The product would soon become one of the hottest products ever to be launched in the stationery market. The product was used in the White House by then President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson.
The product’s popularity prompted the company to soon bring in other innovative writing instruments such as the Uni-Pen, the world’s first refillable roller ball from the Mitsubishi Pencil Company.2
1Pentel is a registered trademark of Pentel Kabushiki Kaisha. Yasutomo no longer sells Pentel products.
2Uni is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited. Yasutomo no longer sells Uni products.
4. President Johnson Article
5. Niji Stylist Pen Line
In the 1970s, Yasutomo launched its own brand of pens, markers and art materials under the NIJI® brand. The expansion of NIJI® writing instrument line of pens and markers was led by the Stylist Pen line, one of the world’s first plastic tipped pens. It was followed by several models of the NIJI® Grip line of
mechanical pencils, a very innovative line of products which utilized the ubber grip feature on the barrel for most of the models. At this time, America had not yet seen pencils like this which featured built-in rubber grips for comfort.
5. Niji Stylist Pen Line
6. Niji Grip Line
In the 1980s, the company entered into the hobby and craft market. The marketing program was led by the launching of FabricMate®, a colorful line of fabric markers, along with origami paper and origami box kits comprised of unique designs. Along with these products, other traditional art materials started finding their way to craft store shelves such as watercolor sets, calligraphy markers and sumi-e supplies.
6. Niji Grip Line
7. Tri-Point & QuadPoint
Another strong addition to Yasutomo’s line of pens came in the next decade when the Tri-Point and Quad-Point pen lines were added. These three/four-in-one pens were high-quality writing instruments that made excellent time-management tools as well as gift items.
While hobby and craft sales remained strong, the introduction of gel pens took hold and Yasutomo introduced the Gel Xtreme®, a colorful line of pens as part of its product offerings. These pens were the latest in the innovation of special inks developed which performed superior to regular ball pen inks and could be combined with pigment to develop a wide range of colors, from basic to pastels and metallics.
7. Tri-Point & QuadPoint
8. Innovative Stationery and Art Materials introduced
As the company moved into the new century, technology for stationery and art materials continued advancing. Yasutomo was one of the first companies to bring in a solid stick highlighter called the Hi-Glider. The advantage of such a product was the ink would not bleed through paper like liquid highlighters. The Waterbrush was introduced as a portable brush that carried its own supply of water in the barrel for convenience and mixing paints. Nori Paste, a unique, slow-drying adhesive, was brought in and its application has been found very useful in craft paper projects.
8. Innovative Stationery and Art Materials introduced
9. Best-Selling Mineral Paper and Pearlescent Watercolors
More products were brought in to enhance the line. Pearlescent Watercolor sets were introduced at very affordable prices and create a beautiful shimmering paint effect on paper. Custom designed origami papers were developed as an extension to the Japanese designed papers. Chinese watercolor sets were added to sell as an alternative for artists who are interested in the use of popular Chinese colors in their artwork. And one of the latest line additions is the Mineral Paper, an environmentally-friendly paper made of rock (calcium carbonate) and an excellent paper for water based or dry media.
9. Best-Selling Mineral Paper and Pearlescent Watercolors
10. East meets West
Throughout its history, Yasutomo has made every effort to keep the traditional aspects of Asian art materials intact because the applications are deeply rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy. The innovative stationery items introduced over the years have been primarily in the Western Art material section of the line. These products, combined with the selection of Asian Art materials makes Yasutomo a very unique source of supplies for artists, crafters and students.
10. East meets West
11. Continue the legacy
We will continue to bring you products that help make your projects more enjoyable to create, while providing a learning experience at the same time. When thinking about your next art or craft project, please consider our products as part of your solution.
11. Continue the legacy
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