Posted : Sep 16, 25

Category : Meet the President

Meet the President: Cultivating technical and marketing skills, turning stone into monuments carrying stories / OSAKA SEKIZAI CO., LTD.

Find out why and how presidents of MOBIO exhibitors started "INNOVATION and CHALLENGE" through the special interview. The latest "Meet the President" article is Mr. Hakui of OSAKA SEKIZAI.

OSAKA SEKIZAI CO., LTD. "Fantoni", original three-dimensional engraving

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L) Mr. Hakui

R) "Fantoni", original three-dimensional engraving  

OSAKA SEKIZAI has become a leading force in the industry through its multifaceted initiatives, despite significant market fluctuations due to the declining population in Japan. Although about 90% of stone shops are family businesses, this company's strength lies in its wide range of technical skills and responsiveness to customers.

 

●In the early days of the company, marketing efforts were used to cover up a lack of technical expertise

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"I wasn't raised in a stone shop, so I knew nothing about stone," Hakui recalls. At that time, the stone industry was a closed world. Grave stones sold in stores didn't have price tags, and prices often varied depending on the customer. Hakui broke with industry conventions by clearly displaying prices and selling gravestones at major retail stores, which were thriving at the time. "I just couldn't accept stone dealers' fixed ideas. I thought we should focus more on the customer's perspective," he said.

Hakui continued, "When we lacked technical capabilities, we had no choice but to compete based on distribution." Then he introduced a new distribution style to the stone industry, which had relied on many traditional sales approaches. This new distribution channel proved successful, and the company steadily increased its sales.

 

●Surprised by the sales method of selling stone in stories, Fantoni processing was introduced to develop new markets

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The company reached a turning point when Hakui visited the stone industry in the United States. Japanese graves vary in the type and size of stone used, but their shapes are almost uniform. In contrast, American gravestones feature designs that reflect the important things in the person's life. For instance, the design may incorporate musical instruments, such as pianos or violins, for people who loved music, or feature a favorite car for car enthusiasts. Art experts carefully uncover the story of the deceased and carve it into the gravestone, creating a touching memorial for the family. Hakui was deeply moved by this approach to creating memorial monuments. That is when the company began working on "Fantoni Sculpture."

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This technique involves carving flowers, everyday items, letters, and other objects in three dimensions. Unlike flat sculptures, tombstones and monuments incorporating this technique are highly regarded as artistic products rich in expressiveness and message. To introduce this technology, Hakui invited engineers from the United States and sent its employees there to improve their skills. These three-dimensional sculptures are used for both individual gravestones and monuments. Recently, there has been an increase in requests for monuments commemorating corporate anniversaries.

The company plans to expand its monument business significantly as a pillar of its B2B business.

 

Interviewed in 2025

 

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