Message from the CEO

CEO
harp playing Representative director

I have always been moved by the seasonal beauty of Japan, and I can never sing enough praises about the rare qualities analogous to this beauty that seamlessly blends together with the warmth of Japanese culture.

I would love it if people, not only in Japan, but also all over the world could experience "Omotenashi Culture", which comes from the beauty within people's hearts, through Cleal.

Kakuta Paper Co Ltd
CEO

Minae Kakuta

Graduated from Nanzan University Faculty of Law
Worked at Mitsui & Co., Ltd. before taking over the family business
Continues to spread Japanese hospitality culture to the world through Oshibori Cleal.
Appointed Representative Director on July 1, 2020
Harpist
Studied under world-renowned harpist Kaori Ogawa and continues to promote harp performances in the hope of world peace.

A grand harp performance to pray for world peace


harp playing Representative director

Advisor

Masako Kakuta

Mayako Kakuta

[Career Summary]
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Author of children's literature
Executive Director, All Japan Music Authors Association, Lyricist
Nobuo Kojima Literary Award
Chairman of the Association of Nobuo Kojima Literary Award Winners


[Main Works]
“Yuki and Yasuke - Songs of Paper Mills”
“Ranmaru, Yume no Tochu - The True Story of the Honnoji Incident”
“Cormorant, Flap into the Clear Stream”
“The sun rises over the weir of washing”
“Gingitsune no Koi (The Love of a Silver Fox)”,
and various other works.

“Yuki and Yasuke - Songs of Paper Mills”
Has been active as a writer of long-run musicals for over 20 years and has contributed to the culture of Mino and Gifu City.
Also in cooperation with the Mino Washi Association.

Harp  Coaching Executive

Harpist Kaori Ogawa

Harpist Kaori Ogawa

[Biography]
Winner of the International Harp Contest. Harpist Kaori has won numerous competitions, including 1st prize at the Soka International Harp Competition in Professional, Advanced, and Junior Division; and has adjudicated in all Divisions.  She was a 1st prize winner at the Indiana University Harp Ginastera Concerto Competition, and has received the Marilyn Costello Memorial Prize award at the USA International Harp Competition where she currently serves as a board member.  She was also an active member of the Social Media Committee for the World Harp Congress and served as a board member from 2011-2022. Kaori was a Member of the Host Committee for the World Harp Congress in Vancouver, Canada in 2011.Now She is a board member of the USA International Harp Competition.

Kaori’s student has also won many International Music Contests. Her student was invited to the USA International Harp Competition’s prestigious “Stars of Tomorrow” to perform. Kaori has also received a Teacher’s Award at London Young Musician of the year in 2021-2022 for her extraordinary dedication and achievement in the field of teaching music. She was recognized for her outstanding music teaching, and her student’s excellent harp performance in London Young Musician of 2022.

She has given many solo recitals and concerto performances around the world. Some of her highlight performances have been the Damase Concertino and Debussy Danses with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Handel Concerto with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. Kaori has also performed the Mozart Concerto with the Nippon Phil conducted by Maestro Kenichiro Kobayashi in Japan, and with Langley Orchestra in Canada. She has performed at the EXPO in Aichi, Japan where she was born and was invited to do solo recitals in Osaka, Fukui, Chiba, Tokyo, and Sapporo. She has performed at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong, Sydney, Vancouver, Geneva and Tacoma.  Kaori has also performed at the Mariinsky Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Expo Vancouver, and at the Rio Harp Festival. Recently, she was invited as a guest performer at the Molnar’s Concert in Japan.

Kaori graduated from Indiana University under Susann McDonald, The Juilliard School under Nancy Allen, and The Curtis Institute of Music under Marilyn Costello. She has also studied the harp in Nice, South of France under Elizabeth Fontan-Binoche and received private lessons at Indiana University from Isabelle Perrin, Jana Bouskova, Atsuko Yoshino, Naoko Yoshino and Sabastien Lipman.  In earlier years, she studied with Lynn Palmer in Seattle and at the Vancouver Academy of Music, as well as Victoria Conservatory under Taka Kling where she received many prizes, scholarships and awards from the Conservatory. She has appeared in many music festivals and television programs in Canada. Currently, she resides in Matsudo, Japan with her family and is dedicated to teaching the harp internationally, giving masterclasses and workshops around the world.

General Counsel

Masako Kakuta

Representative Lawyer Hiroyuki Kamano

[Career]
Graduated from Faculty of Law, Kyoto University Graduated from Graduate School of Law and Politics, University of Tokyo
Graduated from Harvard Law School (LLM)
Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Director, First North America Division, American Affairs Bureau
Legal Research and Training Institute (33rd term)
Arnold & Porter LLP Lawyer (1981-1988)
Representative Attorney at Kamano Sogo Law Office (1988-)
Vice President of the Tokyo Bar Association (2009)
Outside Corporate Auditor of Komatsu Ltd. (2007-2015)
Outside Director of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company (2007-2015)
Outside Director of NGK Insulators, Ltd. (2011-)
Outside Corporate Auditor of House Foods Group Inc. (2015-)

[Main services]
Corporate Law, International Transactions, Finance, Antimonopoly Law/Competition Law,
Human Resources/Labor, Bankruptcy, Debt Collection/Dispute Resolution/Litigation

[Main publications]
"Patent Mafia Aims at Japan" Doshoin
"Bankruptcy Law Encyclopedia" (co-author) Kinzai Jijo Kenkyukai
"Bankruptcy Process Handbook" (co-author) Chuokeizai-sha
“Civil Rehabilitation Proceedings and Supervisory Board” (co-author) Shojihomu
"Legal Advice for Foreigners" (co-author) Gakuyo Shobo

[Affiliations]
The International Bar Association
The Inter-Pacific Bar Association
The American Bar Association
The District of Columbia Bar
Tokyo Bar Association

Morikawa and Suzuki Law Firm
 Lawyer Yukie Morikawa

Lawyer Yukie Morikawa

[Career]
Born and resides in Gifu City
1974 Obtained lawyer qualification
1975 Opened a law office in Gifu City
1986 Vice President of Gifu Bar Association
1993 Vice President of Gifu Prefecture Bar Association
1994 President of Gifu Bar Association
April 2001 Deputy Mayor of Gifu City
February 2002 Re-registered as an attorney
January 2006 Legal Professional Corporation Morikawa & Suzuki Law Office

[Former public office]
 Human Rights Protection Commissioner, Ministry of Justice
 Gifu Family Court Arbitration Committee
 Gifu Prefectural Gifu High School Alumni Association Chairman

[Award]
 Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2017

The 3 Pillars of Kakuta Paper, celebrating our 85th anniversary in 2021 The 3 Pillars of Kakuta Paper, celebrating our 85th anniversary in 2021

In November of 2021, thanks to all of our customers, we celebrated our 85th anniversary.
At the same time we express our gratitude to our customers who have loved Cleal over the years as it has grown. We would like to refine our products as a source of Japanese culture that meets the needs of the next generation and continue to provide a new Cleal every day.

Our CLEAL was born from Mino washi paper, which was nurtured with the blessings of the Nagara River's rich water and beautiful nature. 私Our CLEAL was born from Mino washi paper, which was nurtured with the blessings of the Nagara River's rich water and beautiful nature.
長良川

1. Realization of 100% biodegradable towels 1. Realization of 100% biodegradable towels

We strive to use eco-friendly, 100% natural biodegradable materials without using petroleum-based chemical fibers as raw materials.
If the used wet towels return to the soil and could contribute to environmental conservation...
We would like to continue working on product development that is conscious of the global environment.

3本の柱の1つ 3本の柱の1つ

2. Adopt nanodiamond technology for antivirus qualities. 2. Adopt nanodiamond technology for antivirus qualities.

Nanodiamonds affect harmful substances via redox reactions with highly active catalysts and antioxidative effects to decompose, nullify, and inactivate these substances. As these nanodiamond catalyst redox reactions are scientifically stable, they demonstrate long-term effects without being affected by brightness or temperature.
Nanodiamond catalysts are used in a variety of industries such as aviation, medicine, roadways, public facilities, and paper.
Our Cleal oshibori uses this nanodiamond technology to make it antiviral, antimicrobial, deodorizing, moldproof, and antioxidative.

3本の柱の2つ 3本の柱の2つ

3.  Spreading Japanese culture throughout the world. 3.  Spreading Japanese culture throughout the world.

"Oshiboris" have been used in Japan for ages ever since the Heian Period (794 to 1185 AD).
At the time, court nobles would provide their guests with wet cloths, a primitive form of the oshibori, which would later change to cotton towels in the Muromachi Period (1336 to 1573 AD).
Inns known as "Hatago" would prepare tubs of water and a towel for their lodgers, and lodgers would dip the towel under water, wring the towel (the Japanese word for "wring" is "shiboru"), and wipe their hands and feet. From this action of "wringing", i.e. "shiboru", came the term "oshibori".
The care and compassion of providing oshiboris to tired travelers is a perfect example of the spirit of "omotenashi".
We would love to spread this Japanese tradition of "oshibori" widely throughout the world.
Today, Cleal is used in hotels and Japanese restaurants around the world and has become a beloved product by all.

3本の柱の3つ 3本の柱の3つ

Contact

Consultation・Product inquiries

Tel. 0120-55-4711

Office hours, Week days only 9:00-17:30
Inquiry form

Consultation・Product inquiries

TEL0120-55-4711

Office hours, Week days only 9:00-17:30
Inquiry form