Interview With Cat Toy Maker Hiromi from Nyagomidokoro
Image via Nyagomidokoro
Hi Hiromi! Please tell us about yourself.
I own and run a small business called Nyagomidokoro in Japan, which is an online shop selling cat toys and other goods. The business started in 2005 so it has been 16 years since the inception. Before that, I was a civil servant for 10 years after graduating from high school. I left the job because I realized it was not for me. For me, freedom was the most important aspect in life, so I tried many different jobs after that. Through these experiences, I was able to meet many interesting people and challenge myself with many different things making this stage of my life a really valuable time.
My very first cat, Q-tarou was a black cat so I was into collecting lots of black cat goods. One day, when I picked up one such product, I realized these products put a smile on my face. This is also when I wished I could make other cat lovers smile, and I came up with the idea of making it into a career. It might sound insignificant, but this really was the moment when the history of Nyagomidokoro began.
Where did your cat love journey start?
My cat love journey started when I adopted Q-tarou, my very first cat, in 1994. Sadly, he crossed the rainbow bridge in 2009. Soon after losing him, destiny united me with Myu, who is my family now.
How did you get started in making cat toys? Did you have a background in handcraft before?
The first time I thought about making cat toys was when Myu swallowed a string attached to his toy that I bought from a shop. He always escaped my watchful eyes and ate anything from parts of toys, the toys themselves, to tags attached to my rug and clothes, ending up visiting the vet many times.
That’s why I started making safe toys with no dangerous parts that he might swallow.
My parents were running a sewing business, so I grew up with the sound of sewing machines in the background. But I never properly learnt how to use them — I learnt just by watching them using them when I was in my early teenage years. This background helped nurture my creativity and it was a natural transition for me to start making safe toys for Myu.
What is it like to run a small cat toy making business?
Making toys for cats around the globe is such a pleasure. I make them and other products every day while imagining how they will make my customers and their cats happy and smiley. I have made and delivered over 20,000 cat toys around the globe in the last 10 years. That’s a huge number of cats that have enjoyed my handmade toys! Many customers have been kind enough to send us photos and movies of their cats playing with the toys, which give us tremendous joy and inspiration for our creations.
What are the personalities of your cats, and how did each of them come into your life?
My first cat was a black cat named Q-tarou. Currently, I live with a tabby cat called Myu. Q-tarou was super chill and mellow. He loved being cuddled more than anything and I felt as if he was always there to protect me. Even though we were not able to communicate verbally, we really understood each other. There was definitely a special bond. My favorite pastime with him was to fall asleep while listening to his loud purring. He and I shared a pillow so his purring was like a soothing lullaby. He crossed the rainbow bridge in 2009 due to cancer. It was such a huge blow to me that I even thought about joining him over the rainbow bridge. Even now, thinking about him makes me teary.
It was when I was in such a state that a friend of mine asked me if I could give a home to a kitten that she had rescued. This is Myu that I now l live with. I was hesitant to adopt Myu because it was not long after I lost Q-tarou. But when I took Myu to the vet, I found out that he was born almost at the same time as when Q-tarou left me. It made me feel like Q-tarou brought Myu to me or bring his life into Myu’s for me. That’s why I decided to bring Myu home. That day was September 29, which is known as the “lucky cat day” in Japan. Myu literally has become my lucky cat. He soothed and comforted my broken heart after losing Q-tarou, with his energy and love. I could smile again.
Myu is energetic and loves endless playing. When he was a kitten, he ran so much that he bled from one of his paw pads! He also likes relaxing on my left shoulder. My left shoulder is so stiff because of it!
Image via Nyagomidokoro
If you and your fur baby could have a conversation in the same language, what would you say to each other?
It would probably go like this:
Me: Myu, you always show me your cute and fluffy belly but when I touch it, you always bite me. Whyyy? It’s obvious you are telling me you want me to touch it!
Myu: I’m just seeing if you are tricked into it. Because it’s fun!
Image via Nyagomidokoro
What are you working on lately?
I have recently got two certifications: pet foodist and electromagnetic radiation specialist. I am now working on spreading information using knowledge that I gained from studying for these two certifications. It’s because it might help other cat owners make informed decisions about what food to give to their beloved kitties as well as being good for the health and well-being of cats and other pets.
The reason why I decided to become a certified pet foodist is because Myu is a fussy eater and while I was looking for food that he might like, I started questioning the quality of cat food on the market and their limitations. I wanted to gain accurate knowledge about cats’ diet and the pet foodist certification was the right and natural direction for me.
Onto the reason why I decided to become an electromagnetic radiation specialist. Unlike other countries, there are no regulations about the acceptable electromagnetic values in Japan, nor are there ground wires attached. The effect of electromagnetic radiations on people and pets are there, even if it is not visible. Myu and I had been troubled by skin allergy with no apparent cause for a long time. I thought that it could be because of electromagnetic radiations and asked a specialist to attach grounding wires at my house. Then, not only my allergy but stiff shoulder and chronic rhinitis got better! From this experience, I decided I wanted to do something to help protect other cats and their owners from the effect of electromagnetic radiations. This is why I decided to become a certified electromagnetic radiation specialist specializing in implementing measures against electromagnetic radiations.
Image via Nyagomidokoro
Please share with us one of your big dreams.
I am planning to work towards becoming a certified pet holistic care counsellor focusing on holistic care for cats to enhance their natural healing ability and to prevent illnesses. There is a plethora of information on the internet about unsafe cat food and the health of cats, which is confusing many of cat owners because of the concern for authenticity of such information. I want to spread correct information about what to feed them, their holistic care, and to help them protect their cats from dangerous electromagnetic radiations. I am also planning to launch online courses to facilitate learning for these caring cat owners. I just want to do whatever I can – however little it is – so that cats and their owners can enjoy good health and each other’s company for as long as possible.
Image via Nyagomidokoro
Thank you so much, Hiromi!
********* GIVEAWAY *********
Update (Aug 2, 2022): The giveaway contest is now closed, and the winner has been notified. Thank you so much to everyone for participating! ❤️
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Welcome to Junipurr Studio’s first giveaway! For a chance to win, one lucky reader will receive a handmade cat toy with natural Japanese silvervine. Please visit Nyagomidokoro’s online shop and leave a comment below telling us WHICH would be your cat’s favorite toy and WHY, then subscribe to our newsletter so we can get in touch if you win! Open to U.S. readers only, void where prohibited. Thank you in advance for your patience with the order delivery - all Nyagomidokoro toys are lovingly handmade, and there is a long waitlist. Thanks for playing!
[Note: Giveaway not sponsored. Junipurr and I wanted to do this because we genuinely love Nyagomidokoro’s toys and Hiromi’s commitment to holistic cat care]
