Spotlight: KYOKU HAKU

Adding a new brand to a small shop like ours is never quite as simple and straightforward as it might seem. Some beloved products come from conventional sources like trade shows and sales reps, and others come from an unexpected chain of events that develop into a new relationship. KYOKU HAKU was one of those rare cases where the timing and circumstances all fell into place. They reached out shortly before we announced we were traveling to Taiwan. Immediately after the announcement, they invited us to visit their studio in Tainan. At the time, our lodgings were already booked in other cities, but their stationery accessories stood out to us. We adjusted our plans and decided to visit them by adding a road trip to the itinerary.

Immediately upon arriving in Tainan, Jenny, Victor, Jean, and Yulan noted the city had a different feel than the larger more well-known parts of Taiwan like Taipei. The architecture displayed the style and influence of Japan’s former presence in Southern Taiwan. In some ways, the area felt more quaint and nostalgic compared to the rapidly modernizing cities often heralded as travel hotspots.

The owner of KYOKU HAKU, funnily also named Jean like our lead designer/in-house artist, welcomed us at her studio in a semi-residential area of the city. The space had a familiar coziness, decorated with art, textiles, and handcrafted treasures. On one side was a meeting area, the other side housed their workshop where the staff sewed and assembled their various fabric accessories. The care, attention to detail, and pride in Taiwanese craftsmanship emanated throughout the workshop. 

After the meeting at the studio, Jean graciously brought the team to a few local food spots to try some Taiwanese comfort foods like shrimp rice and almond tea. 

Though the visit was meant to be a day trip, Jenny and Jean (Jean Gao) stayed behind for another day so they could tour a local factory, JUNMAY, where KYOKU HAKU sources some of their fabrics. At the factory, Jenny and Jean were impressed with the extensive knowledge and experience from the team at the factory. They were prepared and eager to answer any question and provided a bounty of fabric swatches and product samples, which even included shoes that incorporated embroidered fabric. In such a short time, KYOKU HAKU opened us up to more than just a new product line, but to a vibrant community of artisans and a well-established textile industry tied to the city’s identity. 

We learned that the bold patterns, unique combination of fabrics, textures, and fine details of KYOKU HAKU’s products were a window to the local culture and historical heritage of Tainan. Our trip only scratched the surface. To share more about KYOKU HAKU's background and design process, we felt it was best to hear directly from the owner and founder, Jean. We sent her a few interview questions about KYOKU HAKU and her own experience as a designer. There’s much more to learn and see; we hope to make another visit to Tainan in the future and explore more of Southern Taiwan.

History of KYOKU HAKU

Could you tell us about KYOKU HAKU’s beginnings? When did you start the business, and what inspired you to create accessories for writing instruments? 

I grew up in Tainan, once one of Taiwan’s major textile and garment manufacturing hubs. As a child, I often spent my afternoons waiting for my mother at the button factory where she worked. 

Buttons machines, and the sounds of a busy factory were all part of my childhood. I later became a fashion designer, starting with children’s clothing before moving into bags and accessories. After nearly 30 years in design, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for fabrics, their textures, structures, and the craftsmanship behind them. 2017 was a turning point for us.  

We began rethinking the direction of our brand, looking for ways to bring our textile expertise into everyday life and, hopefully, to an international audience. At the time, most fountain pen cases were made of leather. That got me thinking: Why not approach pen cases from a fashion designer’s perspective? Textiles offer something quite different from leather. They bring softness, rich colors, beautiful patterns, and endless possibilities for design. With the right construction, they can also provide excellent protection for writing instruments. That simple idea led us to combine traditional textile craftsmanship with the needs of  modern writing enthusiasts, and our KYOKU HAKU pen case collection began to take shape. 

Where does the name KYOKU HAKU come from? 

KYOKU HAKU is a name inspired by Japanese pronunciation, but its meaning comes from two Chinese characters. “KYOKU” represents 玉 (jade), a symbol of warmth, refinement, and preciousness. And, of course, it also happens to be part of my own name! “HAKU” represents 帛 (silk fabric), an ancient Chinese term for fine woven textiles. When we began transforming the brand in 2017, Japan was actually the first international market we dreamed of entering. I’ve always admired Japanese stationery design. It doesn't need to be flashy or extravagant. Instead, it pays incredible attention to how people live, finding that perfect balance between function, beauty, and the little details that make everyday life easier. Choosing a Japanese-inspired name was not only about our original target market. It was also a challenge I set for myself. 

Materials & Craftsmanship 

The patterns and textures of your products are so distinctive. How do you select your fabrics? 

I think I approach fabric selection more like a fashion designer than a traditional stationery product designer. I've always loved bold, distinctive patterns! In the early days, when our brand was still very small, I selected fabrics just as I would when designing clothing, choosing materials that caught my eye and imagining how they might work as pen cases. Then something exciting happened. As our products began gaining recognition in international markets, we decided it was time to take the next step: designing our very own fabrics! Today, KYOKU HAKU works with a wide variety of materials, including jacquard fabrics, embroidered textiles, cotton, indigo-dyed fabrics, and denim. Each material has its own personality, thickness, texture, and behavior. That means the processes behind preparing and working with each fabric can be surprisingly complex. But that's also what makes textile design so fascinating to me. Every fabric brings new possibilities and new challenges. 

Could you tell us about the craftsmanship behind your products? Are there any particular techniques you specialize in? 

All KYOKU HAKU products are made in Tainan, a city with a remarkable textile heritage. Tainan is where Taiwan’s textile industry first took root, and over the years, it has developed a strong network of skilled manufacturers and craftspeople. Our pen cases are carefully sewn by experienced local seamstresses, while the jacquard weaving and embroidery factory we collaborate with are internationally renowned for their expertise. 

Do you use any unique tools to create your products? 

If I had to name my most important design tools, they probably wouldn't be machines. They would be field research and reading! I love visiting places in person, walking through neighborhoods, observing everyday life, and discovering the culture, landscapes, and stories that make each place special. A good example is our Siraya Collection, which we developed last year. It was inspired by the culture of the Siraya Indigenous people, whose heritage is deeply rooted in Tainan. Before we began designing, we visited local communities, conducted field research, and spoke with cultural experts. Through these experiences, we gradually learned more about Siraya history, traditions, and patterns, and explored how to translate those cultural elements into textile designs. Every motif should have a story behind it, something meaningful that we hope to  share through our designs. 

Jean's Pen Case

Which KYOKU HAKU product do you personally carry? What pens or stationery do you keep inside? 

My everyday favorite is our 10-pen zippered case. I'm actually a pretty easy-going person, so if you open my pen case, you'll probably find much more than just fountain pens! There might be a little notebook, some book clips, and all sorts of small things I've picked up along the way. I love designs that let me keep different things together, something easy to carry, easy to access, and, of course, protective of my favorite pens. I also love notebooks, planners, and the feeling of writing on paper. But I have to admit, my notebooks are nothing like those beautifully arranged journals you see online. Mine are filled with quick notes, random sketches, little drawings, and ideas that suddenly pop into my head while I'm working. I don't really mind if the pages look messy. For me, writing is part of the thinking process. 

Looking to the Future

What kinds of products or projects would you like to work on in the future? 

I'd love to see KYOKU HAKU grow beyond fountain pen cases into a stationery storage brand that brings together textiles, writing culture, and everyday aesthetics. Tainan once had a thriving textile and garment industry. But as the industry has changed, many traditional skills and generations of experience have gradually faded from view. 

Through KYOKU HAKU, I hope to bring more attention to these skills and show international audiences that Taiwan has its own sophisticated design sensibility and exceptional craftsmanship. That's what my team, our manufacturing partners, and I will keep working toward: creating thoughtful products while carrying Tainan's textile heritage into the future.