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Ha! In Japanese "Muji" ('no mark', literally 'no character') is short for "Mujirushi Ryohin" ('unbranded goods'). It's odd that someone would take this on as a
by ci5er 11y ago
Ha! In Japanese "Muji" ('no mark', literally 'no character') is short for "Mujirushi Ryohin" ('unbranded goods').
It's odd that someone would take this on as a brand name. And makes me have to ask: Are you sure that this is a brand name? (It may well be - I just don't know of it)
So, at the high-end, these are about the same price as a Uniball Vision Roller or the like (which are made by Mitsubishi Pencil, if I recall correctly. Who may, in turn, very well have outsourced the manufacture to China - I don't know).
Your point is that China can make a good pen if someone pays for it? According to the story, that appears to be the case - but the equipment to manufacture said pen core must be made by the Swiss which leaks the money/profits to yet more money-grubbing foreigners. It just takes time to assemble the complete set of high-end manufacturing tooling. By the time the Chinese have done so, I can hope that our labor prices will be more equalized, but I'm guessing that this will not be the case...
- rtpg 11y agoultimate irony is that Muji products end up being super recognisable (is this really irony? Well, kind of funny), because they use the same sort of material and design for everything.
- lovemenot 11y agoMuji is a well known department store in Japan. The etymology of their brand is as you say. It goes back to the end of the bubble and a sense that consumers are weary of excessive branding. The solution: another new brand called "no brand".
- luckydata 11y agoMuji is essentially Japanese Ikea. http://www.muji.com/us/ http://www.muji.com/us/
- seanmcdirmid 11y agoI buy them at the store called Muji, I didn't use it as a brand name. I'm not sure how they outsource production, but I wouldn't be surprised if the factories are running German or Swiss machines to do it. Or it could be only final assembly happens in China while the cores are made in Europe, but I doubt they would go through that much trouble. China's problem has always been machines and factory tooling, which is still dominated by Germany even if they are primarily used in China. Other things to buy at Muji: towels, sheets, and spoons...it definitely beats ikea in quality.
- anabis 11y agoAs a Japanese, I recognize it as a brand. Bit snobbish naming I admit.