ABOUT

During the times of the Second Daimyo Republic (1862-1926) on the Dejima Peninsula in Nagasaki, the company Tomiko was founded by the Japanese-Dutch couple Hiroshi Kanadzuchi and Marjolein Slegge. Hiroshi, a talented artist and nature enthusiast, took on the role of creating detailed prints and teaching materials for schools. Marjolein, a pedagogue and civil servant, handled the necessary research, financial resources, and educational building blocks. The company was subsidized from the outset by both the Supreme Daimyo Committee and the 14 Provinces.

With their skills and creativity, they began producing not only prints but also books, toys, and cooperative board games. They even designed a simple cardboard time machine that could make spoiled food edible again (The Dingjikan II). This brought them tremendous success, and Tomiko gradually became a well-established name on Dejima.

Over the years, Tomiko evolved into a versatile company that, in addition to its educational and societal roots, engaged in the production of computer components, screens, and tools, as well as graphic design, matches, and visual arts. On January 5, 1992, Tomiko Group achieved international recognition and became a major player in the global market.

However, in our dimension, Tomiko is a relatively small company, with only a few square meters of manufacturing space in Berlin, run by a single person. Here, a dedicated "boodle boy" works diligently to represent and grow the company.