The Power of Storytelling That Naturally Cultivates Carpenters

Before the invention of writing, humanity passed down important things to the next generation through oral tradition. Some of these have remained to this day as myths.

What has been passed down through the ages is not just words or concepts, but stories that have been shaped and etched into memory, shaking the heart as if soaking into the depths of human emotion.

In recent years, the importance of storytelling has been discussed in the business world as well, but its essence must be a story that moves the heart and makes people want to, or feel they must, pass it on. And it should not be a fabricated tale created artificially, but a miracle that actually occurred.

Carpentry Storytelling

1. The Reason for Changing the Business

As a former carpenter, I was disgusted by the house-building practices of housing manufacturers that claimed to be custom-built but were actually a bit of a scam, combining cookie-cutter patterns. I started my own housing company because I wanted to build houses directly, listening to the requests of the owners and realizing their dreams.

With the slogan 'The real relationship begins after handing over the house,' we started our new construction business with the goal of not just getting orders, but realizing the ideal life for our clients and creating many happy families in the community.

We focused not only on craftsmanship such as architectural design, energy-saving performance, and structural strength, but also on one-stop support, from helping with detailed financial planning that incorporates monthly cash flow and life events, to annual after-sales follow-ups, stepping into the lives of our clients. The result is that we have maintained long-term relationships with almost all of our clients even after the construction was finished.

2. A Request from a Client 15 Years Later

The other day, I received a call from a client for whom I had built a new home at the time I made that business shift. 15 years ago, at the same time the house was built, their child was born, and now that they are at the age for high school entrance exams, they said they were considering Meister High School, a school for becoming a carpenter that I opened two years ago, and asked me to tell them more about it.

I replied that they were, of course, very welcome. Normally, I would have them come to the school (or office) for an individual school information session, but as luck would have it, I, the principal, was not feeling well, so we held a company tour during the day and an online interview with the parents and their son in the evening.

I always ask the same question to junior high school students who want to enroll: 'Are you interested in architecture? Why?'

This time, the junior high school student on the other side of the online screen looked a little embarrassed and answered that they had wanted to work in architecture since they were small because they liked making things and rearranging their rooms.

What shocked me was that the origin of this was the feeling that by building a wonderful house that their parents envisioned and living in their favorite place, they had lived comfortably, pleasantly, and happily, and they felt the power of architecture. That was the greatest compliment to our work.

3. Flashback

Hearing his words, a flash of light went off in my head as if a camera flash had been triggered, and I vividly remembered the time the house was completed. I remembered doing the diatomaceous earth finishing with the client, taking pictures under the bright sunlight with our respective tools, and the excitement of the baby's small hand gripping my finger during the handover. I remembered praying that they would live healthily with this child who had just been born into the world.

I had been trying to build houses with all my heart and soul, with the desire that a house, which is the most familiar environment for a person, should not just be a box, but a place that is a favorite spot, fosters health, and forms communication where the family gets along well. The results of that work, which I had aimed to make the foundation of a wonderful life, were suddenly spread out before my eyes.

I couldn't help but get teary-eyed.

The house we built nurtured a happy family, and the child who grew up there was inspired by the wonder of architecture and decided to pursue that path. And they are considering us as a potential employer. Is there any greater reward for an architecture company or a carpenter?

'The person who makes the most people happy becomes the happiest.' These are the words of Kazuma Tateishi, the founder of Omron, and I had a wonderfully happy time during this interview. For the first time in a while, I was thrilled and thought, 'This job is the best!' Powerful storytelling becomes authentic and moves people's hearts only when you trace the story you created in your imagination over time and sublimate it into a real, tangible experience. I felt once again that it is something that takes time, weaves history, and creates essential value. It is not about what you say, but what you have done. There is no truth anywhere else.

Recently, the importance of storytelling has been discussed in the context of competitive strategy. It is often perceived as a way to verbalize thoughts and make them easier to convey, but we have now entered an era of 'authenticity'.

Superficial storytelling actually makes people feel indifferent.
Imagining, depicting, deciding, and acting are a set, once again.

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I work in the business of weaving stories.