Thank you very much for visiting my profile page. Entrusting us with your precious items requires a great deal of trust, and I hope that by sharing a little bit about who I am, it brings you peace of mind.

I was born and raised in Shimonoseki, a city in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Historically known as Choshu, it is a town deeply rooted in the history of the Meiji Restoration. While Shimonoseki has expanded significantly through modern mergers, the neighborhood where I grew up is right by the harbor, where the seafood is incredibly delicious. If you ever have the chance to visit Japan, I highly recommend visiting the Karato Market to enjoy some fresh sushi!

As a child, I was painfully shy, had very few friends, and tended to withdraw from new experiences. I was often too afraid to interact with others, and none of my after-school activities lasted very long – except for my piano lessons. What started as an impulsive idea by my mother became a defining journey; I began playing at the age of four and continued for about sixteen years until I left my hometown at twenty. My teacher once firmly yet lovingly scolded me for not practicing, and that became a turning point. From that day on, I found myself completely captivated by the world of classical music. To this day, the piano remains a pillar of emotional support and a source of personal pride in my life.

At the age of twenty, I moved to Tokyo to attend a fashion college. Having loved making things and crafting since I was a little girl, my growing interest in fashion during my teenage years naturally inspired me to pursue a career in creating tangible things within the apparel industry.

The three years I spent there were incredibly demanding, as I balanced intense school assignments with a part-time job. Looking back, the days spent working through the night to finish projects were quite intense, yet deeply stimulating. I am profoundly grateful to the teachers who guided me and the friends who worked alongside me, allowing me to complete those three years successfully.

In the future, I hope to bring this background in craftsmanship to UJ, perhaps by designing and manufacturing custom bags for koshirae (sword mountings) and specialized sword maintenance kits.

After graduation, I stepped into the apparel industry as a production manager. In short, my job was to manage lead times and delivery schedules. Our company’s factory was located in China, and I spent my days coordinating with local staff in Japanese to ensure timely delivery – a process that required a great deal of patience, firm negotiation, and persistence. This experience serves as a vital foundation for the work I do today.

The most valuable lesson I learned from that role is that communication is absolutely essential whenever people interact. Smooth schedule adjustments are impossible without a solid foundation of mutual trust. There are moments when you must ask for an urgent favor, and other times when you must make a concession in return. I realized firsthand that regardless of nationality or culture, as long as we treat one another with sincerity, a clear path forward will always open.

My connection to Unique Japan came through an introduction by Ayumu. We have been friends for a long time, sharing a bond much like that of an older brother and a younger sister. When Ayumu, whom I trust implicitly, was looking for a new team member, it perfectly coincided with the time I was searching for a new challenge. It felt like the perfect alignment of timing. I am deeply grateful to Pablo for warmly welcoming me into the company and for the immense trust he places in Ayumu.

What I value above all else in this role is helping others realize the vision and ideals they hold in their hearts.

To be entirely honest, when I first started this job, I had absolutely no knowledge of or prior interest in Japanese swords. However, seeing our clients hold a sword in their hands, gazing at it with absolute focus, and leaving with joyful smiles completely changed my perspective. I found myself sharing in that exact same happiness. The pure exhilaration of finally holding something you have long admired and longed for is a feeling that truly enriches one’s life. Being able to assist in creating such a milestone moment is a profound source of happiness for me.

Furthermore, observing Pablo up close – with his deep love for swords and his dedication to sharing their beauty with our clients – and seeing Ayumu support him so wholeheartedly inspired a strong desire in me to contribute to their vision. I deeply respect the core values they both uphold. I look forward to using my own unique perspective and meticulous attention to detail to assist them, ensuring that their wonderful vision and the true allure of Japanese swords reach as many people as possible.

Thank you for visiting Unique Japan. We look forward to working with you.

Warm regards,

Yuki Ando
Operations Assistant, Unique Japan