Analog Friends 09: Mayumi on Cherished Pencil, Train Station, and Spirits.

Hello, Analog Friends! This month, our shop assistant, Yuka, conversed with Mayumi-san from Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu—a Japanese stamp studio based in Nagoya, well-known for their calming, delightful, charming, and soft images and illustrations.

In this series of Cafe Analog’s blog called ANALOG FRIENDS, we invite you to enjoy long-form reading at a slower pace (preferably with a cup of coffee, tea, or chocolate!)—while getting to know the people behind Cafe Analog’s products you love.

Enjoy!

Hello, Analog Friends! Yuka here!

The days are gradually getting longer, and the sun is starting to show its face more often—I can really feel that spring is on its way. Spring is the season when many plants bloom with fresh new flowers. On my walks, I’ve started to notice more and more blossoms beginning to appear.

At Cafe Analog, we’ve also received many new items for spring. Every day in the office, as I receive packages, I wonder, “Where is this one from this time?” It’s always exciting to see what new products arrive!

Among this season’s arrivals, we’re introducing some brands to Cafe Analog for the first time. One of them is Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu and their beautiful collection of stamps!

Just look at these tiny, charming stamps featuring delicate hand-drawn illustrations! Don’t they give you a warm, cozy feeling? They’re perfect for spring journaling!

This time, I had the chance to interview Mayumi, the creator behind Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu. We discussed where she finds inspiration for her adorable illustrations, how her past experiences have influenced her designs, and even the story behind the brand’s name.

Yuka: Why do you call your brand Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu? What is the story behind it? And who are the lovely people behind this brand? We’d like to know a bit about them and their story.

Mayumi: “Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu” is a brand that sells stamps featuring my original illustrations, created as part of the stamp-making initiatives of the stamp shop “Tenjindo Kojima uu.” I named it “Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu” because I thought it would be another small initiative of “Tenjindo Kojima Inbo“. (*Inbo means “an atelier for making stamps”, and Bunshitsu means “a branch” in Japanese).

Founded in 1933, “Tenjindo Kojima Inbo” is a long-established stamp shop. It was originally founded by my husband’s grandfather, passed down to his father, and is now run by my father-in-law, my husband, and me. At Tenjindo Kojima Inbo, we specialize in official and personal stamps and various rubber stamps, primarily for office use.

Drawing on this expertise, the three of us carefully design and create stamps at “Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu”—each one inspired by my original illustrations and crafted to bring warmth and joy.

Yuka: How did you start with this brand, designing stamps? What made you decide to open your own shop and create your own brand?

Mayumi: I married my husband in 2014 and gradually started getting involved in the shop around 2015. At first, I worked a different job, but my husband noticed my interest in drawing and encouraged me to use that skill. So, I began by helping with the shop’s website.

When I realized I could turn my illustrations into stamps, I thought it sounded fun and wanted to give it a try. That’s how the brand was born.

Around 2016, I officially started selling stamps featuring my illustrations. At the time, my husband was running an experimental stamp shop called “Sheep’s Shirushi Tool Shop“, and I believe that’s where I first started selling them. I began by creating stamps with illustrations of small children and flowers.

Yuka: Where did you grow up and spend your time working? How does “places” affect the way you design or see the world?

Mayumi: I grew up in a mountainous area surrounded by mountains and rivers. From a young age, I loved drawing and appreciated nature. At the same time, I dreamed of living in the city. As a student, I studied picture book creation in Nagoya and later worked in design. I still create my picture books to this day.

Mountain climbing was once a favorite hobby of mine. The sense of fulfillment I felt while walking through nature and the flowers and plants I encountered on my hikes have greatly influenced my stamp-making at Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu.

When I draw, it feels like I’m connecting to a fresh, spring-like place within my heart. I hope that using Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu stamps becomes an inspiring and peaceful moment for those who stamp them—a quiet time of relaxation. I will continue to create unique stamps to Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu, little by little.

Yuka: Where did you get the inspiration for your design? What makes you decide, “OK, I will go with this image, but not that one?” Is it more about what you want to bring to the shop or also about listening to what customers want you to make?

Mayumi: I cherish the atmosphere, storytelling, and warmth of hand-drawn art. When inspiration wells up from deep within my heart, I feel a mysterious and gentle world that cannot be seen or heard. I want to create illustrations that evoke a world where fairies and spirits always watch over us. I also value designs that bring warmth and happiness to those who use or receive them.

My designs are usually based on what I personally would love to incorporate, but sometimes, customers share their thoughts, saying things like, “I love the atmosphere of this stamp.” Their feedback sparks new ideas, and I often find myself thinking, “It would be nice to create something like this.” At times, I draw inspiration from these interactions as well.

Yuka: Can you share some personal stories or memories that relate to stamps or stationery from your life? Something that leaves a strong impression on you?

Mayumi: One of my memorial tools is the pencil—it’s been always there since childhood.

During my student years, I learned in drawing classes just how expressive a pencil can be. I love that it’s readily available in any stationery section and can be used casually, anytime, anywhere. Regarding art materials, I also enjoy working with watercolors and acrylic paints. They feel naturally suited to my artistic sensibilities.

Before starting Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu, I gave guests at my wedding party a stamp featuring one of my illustrations as a small keepsake. Later, I heard that my friend’s child had played with the stamp nearly 100 times! Imagining the child having fun stamping repeatedly, I truly felt the joy of seeing my illustrations come to life in someone else’s hands for the first time.

That experience made me realize just how special stamps are—they bring happiness with every impression.

Yuka: In Japan, many places have their own stamps, and tourists who love stationery and journaling are very excited to collect these stamps as souvenirs. Why do you think these stamps are very common in Japan but not in other countries? And who usually designed these stamps?

Stamp culture is so widespread here because there are many stamp shops and manufacturers, and stamps are simple, easy to make, and fun to try. That said, stamps exist in other countries, too, so I’ve always been curious why they aren’t as common elsewhere as in Japan. This might be a bit off-topic, but I feel that stamps and train stations are a perfect match.

When we travel, we often feel more nostalgic than usual. In those moments, stamping a diary with a stamp from that place creates a lasting connection—even after we return home. For many people, train stations are tied to various memories. The more station stamps you collect, the deeper and richer those memories become. I think that’s what makes stamp collecting so fascinating.

I’m also really curious about who designs the stamps found at stations and tourist spots! It seems that in large facilities, companies like Shachihata sometimes handle the designs.

Yuka: Would you mind sharing your long-term dream that you still hold close to your heart?

Mayumi: I want to continue cherishing everyday life’s small joys and create picture and poetry books. So far, I have made several handmade picture books, and nothing makes me happier than seeing people read them.

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Through the interview, I felt that Mayumi’s warm and heartfelt world is beautifully reflected in her stamp designs. They may be small and delicate, but each carries a gentle, expansive charm—that makes Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu stamps so special. Stamps that carry such a warm, embracing feeling might best be described as “adorable little joys”.

What I personally found fascinating was the origin of Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu. Seeing the word “Bunshitsu = Branch” in the name, I had assumed there must be a main store somewhere—but I was surprised to learn that it is actually a branch of Tenjindo Kojima Inbo, a well-respected stamp shop with an over 90-year history!

As Mayumi mentioned, stamps are an integral part of everyday life in Japan. From signing for deliveries to official documents and even decorating planners, they are everywhere. Tenjindo Kojima Inbo has traditionally focused on practical stamps, but as part of a new endeavor, they launched Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu to showcase Mayumi’s illustrated designs.

It’s wonderful to see such a long-established shop embracing innovation and expanding the possibilities of stamps. Knowing that this cherished stamping culture will continue to evolve and thrive fills me with joy. I can’t wait to add Kojima Inbo Bunshitsu stamps to my own journal!

Definitely give them a try, everyone! You won’t be disappointed!