The Story Behind Our Brand Name
When launching the brand, we explored the Kojiki, Japan's oldest chronicle of mythology, for inspiration, as our theme centers on “Japanese tradition and craftsmanship.”
We derived the name “Cohana” from “Konohana,” part of the name of the deity Konohana Sakuya-hime. To make the name welcoming and easy to pronounce for our international customers, we gracefully adapted the sound to "Cohana."
The word “Konohana” refers to “cherry blossoms” in classical Japanese, and the word “sakura” (cherry blossoms) is said to have originated from this deity. According to legend, she spread cherry blossom trees throughout Japan by sprinkling cherry blossom petals from the summit of Mt. Fuji.
Who is Konohana Sakuya-hime?
Konohana Sakuya-hime is the daughter of Oyamatsumi-no-Kami, the head deity of all mountain gods. True to her name, she is the goddess of flowers and beauty, embodying the beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
She is known as a mother goddess who married Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu, and gave birth to the descendants of Amaterasu.
In mythology, she is described not only as beautiful, but also as a celebrated deity who overcomes the challenges brought about by her extraordinary beauty with unwavering resolve and a strong spirit . Based on the legend of giving birth in fire and her role in calming the eruption of an active volcano, Mt. Fuji, she is worshipped as the goddess of fire at Sengen shrines throughout Japan.
Before the brand launch, we brought the first eight Cohana products, created in collaboration with artisans, to Mt. Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha in Shizuoka Prefecture—the head shrine of all Sengen shrines in Japan, where Konohana Sakuya-hime is enshrined—and received a formal blessing.
Since ancient times, people in Japan have found prosperity and joy in the beauty of spring arriving and cherry blossoms bursting into bloom, symbolized by Konohana Sakuya-hime.
We hope that Cohana, through the unique beauty of Japan embodied in our products, will bring prosperity and joy to the artisans who create them and to the customers who use them. We also hope that, like the broad and graceful shape of Mt. Fuji, a traditional symbol of expanding prosperity, Cohana will continue to grow and reach more people.
These are the hopes and wishes embodied in the name "Cohana."
A Story from our Cohana Nihonbashi Store
"In my country, 'Cohana' sounds just like 'kochanie,' meaning 'my love.' It is a beautiful name."
A customer from Poland once told us this during his visit to our Nihonbashi store. He selected several Cohana products as gifts for his 'kochanie.'
We remain deeply grateful for the wonderful encounters that Cohana brings into our lives.
