"I've decided on a SMYTHSON diary, which I'll be using every day for a year, because of its beautiful design," said one customer, and the engraving service held last September at the leather goods section on the 1st floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . Almost everyone who purchased a notebook or diary during the event ordered foil stamping on the cover. The person in charge of this service was Thomas Daniel, a 24-year-old gold stamper in his first year as a SMYTHSON stamper. We asked him about "the work of a stamper," as he was extremely busy on his first visit to Japan.

There are 5 stampers at the Bond Street flagship store and 15 worldwide.

The engraving service is a familiar feature for those who use notebooks and diaries from SMYTHSON , a stationery brand with a Royal Warrant from the British Royal Family. To commemorate the permanent display of SMYTHSON products at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1F (leather goods) since September of last year, Thomas Daniel made his first visit to Japan with a dedicated stamping machine.

— How did you feel when you were chosen to run the stamp service at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building ?

I was so happy to be selected for the "GOLD STAMPING SERVICE" in Japan. It was my first time in Japan, and being given this opportunity made me feel that the company recognized my abilities. I am incredibly grateful to Smythson for giving me this wonderful opportunity.


—Why did you join SMYTHSON ?

First of all, as a leading British luxury brand, they make truly wonderful products. From notebooks and diaries that you can use every day to high-end leather goods and bags favored by celebrities, everything is stylish and functional. I especially love products that are "special things that you always have close at hand."

— Could you tell us about the work of a stamper at SMYTHSON ?

There are five stampers at our flagship store on Bond Street, and 15 more worldwide, including in London, Paris, Hong Kong, and New York. I'm only in my first year, but I'm proud to have this job. Stamping SMYTHSON is a very important job, so I feel a great sense of responsibility.

The affection that comes from "MAKE IT PERSONAL" through stamping.

—How do you practice using stamps?

In my case, I trained at a factory in the UK that produces SMYTHSON notebooks. SMYTHSON offers a wide range of notebooks and diaries, from small "Panama" size ones to quite large ones, so the type of machine used varies depending on the size of the stamp. I spent about two months learning how to operate those machines as well.

—Customers are really happy when you stamp their products, aren't they?

Yes. Initials are a definite mark of "this is mine." When you use it yourself, your attachment to it grows, and when you give it to someone special or receive it as a gift, it conveys a special feeling.


—What are some of your impressions of Japanese customers compared to British customers?

Japanese customers are very polite, and they are truly delighted and grateful when they receive their engraved items. Their smiles are also memorable. Japanese customers seem to prefer small initials with dots. I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone's notebooks and diaries develop over time.

Let's take a look at the notebooks used by active stampers!

We were given a special opportunity to see the notebooks that Thomas Daniel uses.

— How do you use your SMYTHSON notebooks, Thomas?

I mainly use it for work, to jot down things I don't want to forget, such as customer requests for stamp-making projects and work history.

—Thomas, your notebook cover has lots of airplanes embossed on it.

I love airplanes, so I engraved lots of airplane motifs just the way I wanted. I've really come to realize how much I've grown attached to something when I've added my own personal touches to it.

—You're still relatively new to the industry, but which stamps have left the biggest impression on you?

I once had the opportunity to provide a stamping service for an elderly woman's photo album. The album was filled with memories of her brother, who had died in World War I. And apparently, her brother has still not been found... This experience was very memorable and has stayed with me ever since.


-- What are your impressions of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building ?

The store is clean, stocked with many cutting-edge fashion brands, and has many friendly staff members. Overall, I got the impression that it's very well organized. For this engraving service, many people who were already familiar with SMYTHSON purchased pairs or chose items as gifts. I would definitely like to encourage people who haven't yet used SMYTHSON to give it a try.


--Finally , Thomas, do you have a message for SMYTHSON fans in Japan?

Japan is a truly beautiful country. It has incredibly delicious food and a rich culture. The people are very kind and respectable, and I found them to be very efficient at work. Everything seemed so easy during my stay in Japan.

Speaking of food culture, I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes when eating at a restaurant after arriving at the airport. Also, the fact that they provide free umbrellas on rainy days is truly wonderful. I would recommend Japan to all kinds of people around me, regardless of age. Japan is a country that truly does not disappoint. Furthermore, there are plenty of options for everything, and they handle everything perfectly.

I had heard that you could get anything in Japan, and after coming here, I realized that's absolutely true.