Looking back to 2016, we present a piece created for the private office of a visionary leader in the net-based reuse industry.
The Motto: “Shi-Kon-Sho-Sai” (士魂商彩)
We were commissioned to create a centerpiece for the President’s Office of Market Enterprise Co., Ltd. in Kyobashi, Tokyo. The requested phrase was a unique coinage: “Shi-Kon-Sho-Sai”.
This four-character idiom is a creative variation of the traditional Japanese saying “Shi-Kon-Sho-Sai” (Samurai Spirit, Merchant Wit). However, the last character was intentionally changed to reflect the President’s personal philosophy and roots.
Decoding the Meaning
- Shi (士): Taken from President Yasushi Kobayashi’s first name, and also referencing the “Samurai” spirit of his hometown, Kawagoe (known as Little Edo).
- Kon (魂): Meaning “Soul” or “Spirit.”
- Sho (商): Meaning “Business” or “Commerce.”
- Sai (彩): Meaning “Color” or “Vividness.” This character is also the symbol of Saitama Prefecture (“The Land of Color”), further honoring his origins.
Together, the phrase embodies a powerful resolve: “To conduct business with a Samurai’s integrity and a burning soul, providing services that brilliantly color the world.”
Art for the Executive Space
Chosho Yabe visualized this coined philosophy with dancing, spirited brushstrokes. The artwork is housed in a textured, antique-bronze finished frame, adding a layer of modern sophistication that perfectly suits the office of a forward-thinking enterprise.
Yabe Chosho Office
