About
Petit Oiseau = little bird = Kotori
Exploring freely all over the world without barriers like a bird.
We hope Petit Oiseau can help tradition to prosper beyond its conventional belief to be an outdated artifact.
Founder/CEO - Kotori Nishibori
As the 6th generation of a 170-year-old traditional Japanese umbrella (Wagasa) workshop business at Hiyoshiya Co. Ltd, I've seen my family face near-bankruptcy, and countless neighboring workshops close one after the other due to a lack of successors and weak branding.
With my diverse educational background at an international school and overseas study in England, Canada, Malaysia and France, I have been supporting traditional workshops globally to re-brand and strategize to rejuvenate the value of traditional crafts.
Growing up at the crossroads of conservative traditions and a global outlook, I've come to appreciate the potential in our traditional heritage.
Tradition is the key to innovation.
Time Line
Life Time
Wagasa craftsmanship apprenticeship since 6 years old.
2019-2020
Internship as the first generation of Future Summit Member - Biotech Company leading in the bio-fuel industry, sustainability, and health products ranging from space ration to skin care products.
2020-2021
Production and handing of the Official Proposal to hold conferences regularly with these youth organizations to update current Declaration of Environment and actively incorporate the voices of young people, especially those who are not yet eligible to vote.
Partnership: Euglena Future Summit, University of Tokyo Environment Sanshiro, NO YOUTH NO JAPAN, Climate Youth Japan (CYJ), Japanese Youth Council, Fridays for Future Japan, IHRP (Interdisciplinary High School Research Program), Jochi University Green Sophia, Earth Guardians Japan.
Collaboration for youth advocacy on environmental sustainability, and contribution to "Structural Reforms in Tokyo Post-COVID: A Compilation of Opinions from 32 Experts".
Invited as a speaker to a networking summit for leading youth in Japan.
2021
Management and event day coordination.
The conference hosts speakers from various top runners: Intelligent Robot Researcher and scholar, Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro, Professor at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) of The University of Tokyo, Masahiko, Inami, GROUP CEO, Hideyuki Kasuga and more.
Founding members of NPO DENTO, a scholarship program led by Windows to Japan to support young craftsmen to train and make a living off of their craftsmanship.
Handled the collaboration and communication between the workshop, craftsmen, and Windows to Japan, the representing company of NPO DENTO.
Facilitated a conference on policies for the environment and building a sustainable future. Coordinated questions and topics for discussion in advance, talking about bioplastics, ocean plastic issues, and regional revitalization, among others.
2022-2023
Internship at Paris - Branding and PR of traditional crafts.
Product development and booth manager at TOKYO EDO KIRARI Project.
2023-
Petit Oiseau
Founding of Petit Oiseau LLC.