He showed me pictures of his beloved daughters, Bianca, who is 8 years old, and Caterina, who is 5 years old. They were truly adorable, no exaggeration. The third generation, who had just arrived in Narita at 11 a.m., was incredibly cheerful and energetic.


"It's like the saying goes, 'Leave it to the mochi makers.' It's the dough, of course, but also the core and the exquisite balance of the ingredients. The rich feeling you get when you hold it in your hand is something you can only experience with Stefano Bigi."

According to buyer Takumi Sato, the secret to the "rich" feeling lies in the production background. Stefano Bigi, the third generation to take the original brand, founded by his grandfather in 1938 and established by his father, explains:

"We have about 10 outworkers. Generally, outworkers are paid per job, but we treat them as employees. Even if they catch a cold and can't work for a month, they still get paid (laughs). This is Biz's style, which hasn't changed since we started. When you consider quality, it goes without saying which is better."

Stefano Bigi (left), the third-generation head of stefanobigi , and Takumi Sato (right), buyer for dress shirts and ties at Mitsukoshi Isetan.

Even in Italy, the land of artisans, the number of people becoming craftsmen is on the decline. Passing on these craftsmanship skills requires a tireless, almost obsessive, approach, and this is only possible because stefanobigi takes genuine pride in their craft.

"As the market shrinks, we are actually being appreciated more. Even during the bubble era when mass-produced Thai goods were selling like hotcakes, I am increasingly confident that my father was right to keep the flame of handcrafted work alive. I want to express my gratitude to my father for enduring those difficult times."

This unwavering dedication is also evident in the fabric samples prepared for trunk shows and negotiations with buyers. While most people use swatches, which are scraps of fabric, Stefano Bigi prepares enough fabric for two ties for each sample. Let me show you how it works—the third-generation owner spread the fabric on the table and skillfully folded it to create an impromptu tie.