Japanese food is admired worldwide for its visual appeal, with ingredients arranged and combined so artistically that a meal might be a feast for the eyes as much as the mouth. Japan is also famous for its plastic food samples, or “sampuru,” – replicas that are displayed in restaurant windows to show the food served inside and entice passersby. Iwasaki Mokei is one of the best-known food replica companies, based in Gujo Hachiman in Gifu prefecture. Since 1955, the company has been producing replicas that are designed not to simply copy the food but to convey its deliciousness too.
Mr. Seigo Kozakai, the CEO of Iwasaki Mokei gives a presentation with slides about the art and business of food replicas, the importance of this industry in Japanese culinary culture, and the future role of his company in promoting Japanese food in Japan and beyond.
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Guest Speaker
Seigo Kozakai was born in Gujo City, Gifu prefecture in 1971. In 1989, he moved to Tokyo and in 1991 began working as an artist and production assistant and, two years later, he began working at an art model company. In 2002, he launched the modeling studio CRAFT HAZACO, and in 2007 he moved the studio to Gifu prefecture.
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In 2010, he joined Iwasaki Model Manufacturing Co., Ltd., where he worked for several years as the Planning and Design Office Chief and the Head of the General Affairs Department. He is currently the CEO of the company.
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