Propelling
Issue 2

Nakashima People Vol.2
Kanae Takebayashi
Propelling,

Sales and Marketing Department, Nakashima Propeller

Born and raised in Okayama, where Nakashima

work with propellers are not as unrelated as

Propeller is based, Kanae Takebayashi studied

they might at first seem. The propellers thatabroad in Britain and worked in Tokyo before

I sell—some weighing more than 100 tons—

spotlights the hidden

returning to her hometown. Hired 10 years

are all unique and beautifully shaped. They

allure of propellers andago as the first woman in Nakashima

are the product of excellent in-house design

aims to steer the world’s

Propeller’s sales division, she now oversees

techniques and functional beauty sharpened

ships, and their world,many foreign clients, including ship owners

by the care and skill of Japanese craftsmanship.

one step into the futurein Germany and Greece and shipyards in

Because propellers are hidden from people’sChina. We asked Kanae for her thoughts onview, they may seem like the opposite ofNakashima Propeller.

public art. However, Japanese culture values

a newsletter fromOkayama, Japan,

beauty in areas that are not seen from theQ. How do your studies abroad relate tooutside, such as the lining of the kimono.

your current work?

The way we see the “outside” and “inside” isIn Britain, I studied the theory behinddifferent from Western culture. The beauty of“public art.” I also took part in projects suchthe propeller is also a reflection of its highas turning construction sites into art spaces.

efficiency, and I would like to pursue myFrankly, I did not imagine at the time that I

own unique way of interpreting and conveying

would eventually work in sales.

that value to others.

But my background in art and my current

Propelling Issue 2“The beauty of thepropeller is alsoa reflection of its
high efficiency”

Kanae Takebayashi

Motoyoshi Nakashima

Q. What are the challenges of selling propellers?
Nakashima propellers are known for their high efficiency,

Nakashima Propeller is constantly evolving and transcending
existing boundaries. Ten years from now, I would still likebut the difference between numbers generated fromto be delivering a new, “distinct Nakashima” to the rest of

performance tests is often just a fraction of a percentage. We

the world. Perhaps the propellers will not be the same asthus need to better demonstrate to customers how the highthey are now—but without doubt, they will play a paramountquality of Nakashima propellers translates into minimalrole in the seas of the future.

maintenance costs, superior safety and propulsion
performance for ships in actual operation, and a long 20- to
30-year lifespan.
Q. What do you enjoy about working for Nakashima
Propeller?
I still remember the excitement I felt when seeing the first
propeller I sold leave the factory for shipment. We closed thedeal with a customer in Taiwan after 7 months of negotiations.
It makes me happy that more customers now come to me
for consultation and advice. Given that I work in a maledominated industry, many people were not accustomed toworking with a female salesperson. My hope is to deepen
trust for the Nakashima brand by co-ordinating closely withthe technology and design team, and by building on my trackrecord of responding to clients with competency and kindness.

Maxim ofNakashima Propeller“Good for sellers, good for customers,
good for the world”
This saying has been handed down by merchants in theOmi region (currently Shiga Prefecture), wherebusinesses flourished. The third part of the phrase wasoriginally “good for society.” The saying teaches us toconduct business that benefits not just the sellers, butalso customers and society as a whole.

Q. What do you envision your work to be at Nakashima

The late Tamotsu Nakashima (the second president ofPropeller 10 years from now?

Nakashima) embraced these words in the company’sWhenever I see big ships in the news or in films, I becomearchives, saying he “hoped for the new, big dream of

fixated on the images, thinking that one of our propellers‘good for the world’ to come true,” and thus Nakashima

may be operating them. Because propellers are so large, I

Propeller’s maxim was born.

imagine them to have possibilities that are just as big.

INTROSPECTION — JAPANESE INNOVATION

Small Architecture

and allowing them to experience more deeply and intimately thenature that surrounds them. “Small architecture” tries to be humble
and respect its surroundings instead of dominating them.

Fighting for survival, companies around the world are being forced toKengo’s thinking is both innovative and born out of the best Japanese

shift their mindset away from simply providing products towards

traditions, which are based on a worldview and aesthetic rooted inproviding solutions.

the unique relationship between humans and nature, with humans
believed to be part of nature. The Japanese have long taken lessons

At first glance this change may seem undesirable for Japan, which isfrom the natural world, including the delicate details of flexible

more celebrated for its monozukuri (craftsmanship) culture than forcomponents that form a whole.

its big-picture, strategic thinking.
The wisdom of “small architecture,” according to Kengo, is inherent
However, there is an aspect to Japanese craftsmanship that excels inin traditional Japanese architecture. Obvious examples are the fusuma,building soft and hard wholes from delicate details. Take, for example,

or papered sliding doors that partition rooms, and the rows of thin

the style of architecture that Kengo Kuma, a world-famous Japanesepillars, or hashira, that support the building—both can be rearranged

architect, advocates.

to allow for flexible use of space. Traditional products and ideas suchas these are becoming increasingly relevant and can form spectacular

Kengo refers to it as “small architecture.” But he does not mean

designs that are globally admired.

architecture that is small in scale; rather, one that is made up of flexible
small units, as seen in his projects such as the Water Branch House

The most important thing to note here is that the solution to the(New York), Casa Umbrella (Italy) and the Great (Bamboo) Wall (China).

whole is conceived from the start in the individual components.
Japanese craftsmanship’s unique power of innovation can be applied

The way in which the small becomes the innovative whole is shownto create a wide range of structures, not just architecture.

stunningly at the Water Branch House, which comprises filledwater-tank blocks, each made of biodegradable polyester (see photo).

In this regard, the recent focus on solutions is not a threat to Japanese

The stackable tanks can form anything from furniture to an entire

craftsmanship, but rather a golden opportunity to unlock its potential.

house. They also play multiple roles in insulation, lighting and comfort.

Just beyond the horizon is a future with a variety of small solutions
making up a new form of humble and sustainable civilisation.

Yet there is more here than beautiful and innovative design, executionand function. Kengo is committed to creating architecture that relates

Reference: Kuma, K. (2013) Small Architecture (Iwanami Shinsho)

to its surroundings. He sees it as a way of connecting people to a place

The original article was in Japanese

Written by Yaoyorozu-ING

NAKASHIMA PROPELLER
We Go Beyond
Headquartered in Japan’s Setouchi region, the centre of thecountry’s shipbuilding industry, Nakashima Propeller is amanufacturer of marine propulsion equipment boasting a leading
share in marine propellers.
company has continued to pursue innovation in the capabilityof propellers to deliver security, safety and comfort. It will be■ OUR SERVICES
Nakashima Propeller designs and manufactures marine propellers(FPP and CPP), thrusters, energy-saving devices for the stern andCFRP propellers.

support of propulsion equipment for ships in operation andcelebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026.
A ship’s optimal state is found when it is viewed from thepropeller, the centre of propulsive functions. With this fresh*We provide propellers for ULCS, VLCC, VLOC, VLGC, LNG/LPG-carriers, PCC, cruiseships, working boats, coastal vessels, research vessels and coast guard vessels(including ice-class)services catering to each ship’s entire life
reduce the burden on the environment.
Nakashima Propeller works to contribute tothe world, beyond the realm of its industry.

■ OUR STRENGTHSJAPANESE QUALITY
in-house capabilities in design andmanufacturing. Using a high-performancecomputer with a 3000 core large-scale
processor, Nakashima’s craftsmen create
a blueprint based on data accumulated
from a world-class production historyof 1 million propellers. Moreover, with
its unique manufacturing skills that
integrate cutting-edge technology andexperienced craftsmanship, Nakashima is
in manufacturing and deliver reliable
Japanese-quality products.

CUSTOMISED PRODUCTION
The propeller is at the centre of optimising
propulsion performance—and a hundred“World-recognised Japanese quality cannot be described solely
in terms of mechanical precision or reproducibility. Lacquerware
in its commitment to build-to-order production, designing andused at the dinner table, Japanese knives that are indispensable

manufacturing optimal propellers for each unique ship under an

to create Japanese delicacies—only with the deep commitment

integrated production system.

and thorough experience of the people who make them can

CUTTING-EDGE USE OF SMART TECHNOLOGY

embody the same spirit of Japanese quality.”

the full potential of such products be unleashed. Our propellers—H. Kubo, general manager, innovation section, Nakashima Propellercurved surface. By increasing the surface area of machining withwithout dispersion is achieved.

SERVICE ANY TIME, ANY PLACE■ EVENTSASIA PACIFIC MARITIME - Singapore 16-18 March 2016
SEA JAPAN - Tokyo, Japan 13-15 April 2016
OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE - Houston, USA 2-5 May 2016
SMM - Hamburg, Germany 6-9 September 2016

Nakashima Propeller promptly responds to propeller damage bysending repair engineers from its worldwide network to your site.
Nakashima takes into account various conditions such as the ship’s

688-1, Joto-Kitagata, Higashi-ku, Okayama, 709-0625, JAPANlife cycle.

+81 86 279 5111
npcwebmaster@nakashima.co.jp
Japan・Singapore・Vietnam・Philippines
Korea・Taiwan・China ・U.S.A.・Brazil・Turkey・U.K.・Namibia・UAE
Propelling, Issue 2 (November 20th 2015)
Produced by Yaoyorozu-ING Company Co., Ltd.
Photo by Takumi Ota [P1, 4] , Masako Nakagawa [P2]
Copyright 2015 NAKASHIMA PROPELLER Co. Ltd. All rights reserved.