Kazue Speaks

Here's her blog entry. http://www.biccoltd.com/blog/
Warning: Mediocre Japanese/imperfect translation alert!

（（　お詫び　））

(( Apology ))

このたびのショップ閉鎖で皆様にご迷惑をおかけしましたことをまずお詫び申し上げます。

I apologize for the trouble caused by the closure of the shop.

経営悪化のため、事業としてショップを継続することができなくなってしまいましたことで、自己中心的な失望感だけで、経営者自らの責任を放置してしまったことを深く反省しております。

Being unable to continue the business due to the economic downturn, I neglected my responsibilities as proprietor out of only a self-centered despair, for which I am deeply regretful.

現在、法的な整理について、弁護士を通じての対処を準備中となっております。整理リスト等の作成のため時間を要しますので次回のご報告まで今しばらくお時間をいただければ幸いです。

Now, we are going through lawyer(s) for setting things in legal order. Putting together the lists will take some time so we would be happy if you could give us some time before we put out the next report.

なお、プレオーダー、特別注文等で、弊社から商品を未受領のお客様につきましては個別にご連絡を必ず差し上げますので、ご連絡をお待ちください。

Regarding customers with preorders, special orders, and (undelivered?) items from our company: we will be sending out individual correspondences. Please wait for them.

具体的なご報告、ご連絡先についてはできる限り早くこちらに掲載させていただきます。

Concrete news, contact information will be posted as quickly as possible here.

皆様へのご連絡、ご報告が遅くなってしまいましたことを重ねてお詫び申し上げます。

I apologize once again for the delay in sending you news and information.

ご期待いただき、信頼いただきましたのにこのような事になってしまいまして申し訳ございませんでした。

I am very sorry that this sort of thing happened despite your trust and expectations.

12年間のお引き立てをいただきましてありがとうございました。

Thank you for your 12 years of patronage.

平成23年5月19日　

Heisei Year 23 (2011) May 19th

有限会社ビーアイシー　

BIC Co. Ltd.

代表　下山一枝

Representative Shimoyama Kazue

Kazue Returns

Denise Travers posted this enigmatic statement:

Fri May 20, 2011 4:51 pm

Kazue is home

Details to come after I speak with her again.
She is trying to see how she can make things right.
I don't mean to be secretive but I want more details.
She deserved our faith in her.
Thank you GOD for bringing Kazue home!
Denise

_______________

Spring Specimen of a Portrait by James Joseph Jacques Tissot

"Why I still believe in Kazue" posted by Denise Travers

This was posted by Denise Travers on the gogomomoko Yahoo site on May 15, 2011. I have reproduced her post here for those who may not have access to that board.

I have been staying away from posting about this mostly because I have no new information and I freely admit I may not be able to think clearly about this. Kazue is my Best Friend and my biggest concern is the hope of seeing her again. I have to share my reasons for still believing in Kazue as far as BIC is concerned. I don't believe Kazue meant to lose BIC; I have already posted about BIC meaning so much to Kazue and how hard she worked. But there are events and opinions that enforce my belief that Kazue did not plan on BIC closing.
I will share the most relevant.

The biggest thing is those who worked with her for many years. Her distributors, suppliers etc. None have bad to say about Kazue or BIC. Only concern for her well being. Kazue made large payments on pre-orders taken. Paying debts usually isn't a sign of bad intentions. She asked me to help her get some items for her customers about the same time she disappeared and she would not have benefited from this until much later. Again it didn't seem like something that would be done if you planned to take off with the money. The last time her (April 5) and I talked it involved long conversation and excitement about future plans including upcoming conventions.

Those who lost money have every right to be upset, I still hope for some type of settlement for all involved but only Kazue can do this unless it is a forced bankruptcy in her absence. I wish I knew the answers. I know I don't know all the details. In fact I admit I know very little and it is very frustrating. But I do believe the information I have received as fact and contrary to many nasty rumors.
I still believe in Kazue.
Denise

I hope Denise is correct. My concern is that Kazue may not be alive. Someone would have seen or heard from her by now. Surely there is a missing persons bureau that has this case. Perhaps I watch too many episodes of Without A Trace. I'm sure they are totally inundated (no pun intended) since the earthquake/tsunami disasters by searches for missing persons.
Was Kazue running every aspect of BIC alone? Is that even possible that only she had the keys so to speak? That's quite a burden even for a supermom.  Denise said that "paying debts usually isn't a sign of bad intentions."Putting affairs in order including the paying of debts is sometimes a sign of something else.

News About Kazue and Tom of Toy & Goods Trading

It was confirmed this past week by a good friend of Kazue, that her husband is Tom of Toy & Goods Trading. That shop appears to be up and running.

Please note, if you order from them that they accept only Paypal. Do not pay with a balance, pay with a credit card through Paypal. That way even if Paypal denies your claim (if you have to make one) you can always turn to your credit card company and do a chargeback. Paypal hates that but you are protected.

I thought it was very, very strange that no one except the person who confirmed the information to collectors knew this. It's rather unusual for a husband and wife to have very similar but separate businesses in the same area. Perhaps Kazue  was trying to prove to Tom that she could do it better.

Some who regularly order from T&G Trading are understandably concerned that he might go under as well. All I can say is that if you have a major credit card, use it through Paypal. Get all your funds out of your account before ordering and use as your back up funding source a credit card - not a bank account.

Tom has the prettiest duo for sale. They are "Good Morning Amelie" and "Good Night Misaki" from the Secret Code Collection. His price is 32,600 yen for the set. That's $403.31 USD; 244.59 British Pounds; or 270.50 Euros.  They are also available separately but they look so pretty together.

Link to Toy& Goods Trading

BIC Removed From Official Integrity Dealer List

Kazue Shimoyama 

  ______________

A notice was sent out to W Club members earlier today regarding the end of business with BIC in Japan. I requested permission to reproduce parts of the email but was asked by Alain to please stay out of it.  (?)
 The letter asks collectors to pass on the information to other collectors who may have ordered from BIC.

What I can say (I've said this already) is that if you had a pre-order for any (Integrity Toys or other) products placed with a deposit to BIC, get your money back.  IT is offering to help you get the doll you pre-ordered if possible. You will need a receipt of sorts proving that you did have a confirmed pre-order.

 ______

Kazue, if you happen to read this, please know that my husband and I are pulling for you. Rudy, too.

More News About BIC and Kazue

This is reprinted from the Yahoo Group "The Japan Connection."


Posted on April 23:

This is the part of an email from Kazue's sister, Matsumi, that Denise Travers chose to share:

"Sorry for my late reply. I really appreciate your warm and gentle thoughts for us, and I cannot find words to apologize to the people who trusted Kazu and BIC. All I can do for them is to tell what I know without lies and hiding, but I'm sorry that I do not know how Kazu has managed her business. Both dealing and accounting are completely under her control, and nobody in BIC knows the details. I have nothing to hide, and I don't ask you to hide. I easily can imagine what happens on the discussion boards in internet all over the world., it's completely same as happening in Japan. Of course we know it, but no one can stop it."

 Denise says:

I don't believe BIC will re-open, I am not sure how it will be handled but will
let you know when I know anything.  I will not hold back anything...
It is heartbreaking to imagine what they are going through. I wish I could be
with them.
Rob had posted that I was in Japan. I was supposed to be but I was here because
my Mom had a heart attack and I was with her.  I have not been in Japan since the day of the earthquake.  I am hoping to find out more details about Kazue's disappearance and will share  when I know anything. Right now all I care about is Kazue's safe return and her families welfare.
Denise

Posted on April 22 by Denise:

Unfortunately I haven't heard anything new. But I need to give more of an explanation on some things. First off all the positive comments about Kazue are totally right on.  Thank you for sharing what we all know. That Kazue is an honest, incredibly hard workingwoman who loves her family and her business and has always done right by everyone.

If she is guilty of anything it is of being "generous to a fault" About Kazue and BIC. I am going to be very open and I truly hope Kazue or her family would not mind. This is probably been the most difficult time in Kazue's life right now. 9 years ago Kazue started BIC from nothing and all alone and eventually ended up with 7 employees including family.
Over the last few years Japan was in a horrible economy, (as bad if not worse than the U.S.)
BIC struggled but Kazue just worked harder to stay afloat. Over a year ago her son was struggling with medical problems and after many Doctors and hospital stays and medicines he was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome as one of his problems.
This is very rare in Japan so Kazue had little support. She of course chose more time with her son and less on the business. So BIC struggled and Kazue fell behind more and more.
Kazue's sister Jimmy (who is a true gem herself) stepped up and tried to help Kazue
with the ever mounting emails (at 1 point when I visited the number was over
4000.) One comment was that BIC was turned over to a family member when Kazue's son was suffering but this is not true. Jimmy and her other sister worked more to try to
help but they were already full time. Then 6 weeks ago the Earthquake and Tsunami happened. Many areas were spared a lot of damage including where Kazue's family and BIC were located. But the devastation was and is so large that it has destroyed many lives and businesses. BIC was one. It was fragile and there was no way to save it. It is our complete hope that Kazue had a "meltdown" and ran away from everything and she is safe. But no one has heard a word for 12 days now. Kazue is an amazing Mother and that is the hardest part to imagine her being gone from her children so long.

One comment has been that they kept the business running after she disappeared.
OF Course they did! They were trying to keep it going for Kazue. Wouldn't any family try to do that for a struggling family member?? There was nothing sinister. They weren't trying
to walk away with anyone's money. I know this family, all of them are honest hardworking and kind people. Any other assumption is ridiculously ignorant.

For those who have pre-orders and deposits. If you paid by credit card contact your cc company. Paypal's limitations are 45 days I believe, so I am not sure on this. Of course eventually all will be settled but right now all is on hold depending on Kazue's situation.  Many of us are have money involved but please keep this in perspective.  Nothing is more important right now than Kazue's safety and the survival of her family. BLUE said it perfectly  -  It is very sad when a $500.00 doll deposit is more important than a human life. Thank you for BLUE for writing what most of us were thinking.

I will post when I know more but will not be active on the boards for now. Kazue
is very special and it is awful to read negative about her.
Please pray and think good thoughts for Kazue and her family.

Come Home Kazue.
Denise

__________________

I haven't seen these negative posts anywhere. All I've seen is wishes for Kazue's well-being. I add mine, again.

For those who have outstanding deposits and did not know Kazue personally, I certainly understand your feelings. Don't let others minimize what you feel or put you down for being concerned about your money.  It's a loss and you need to do anything you can to recover your money.

BIC Co. Ltd. - Update

Denise Travers posted this information on the doll blogs.

I'm so sorry, This should have been posted here last night.
I want to share this news without rumor or speculation.
BIC has shut down & stopped business but most important of all is that
this is to confirm that Kazue went missing as of April 11 & not even her family
or friends know her whereabouts. She has not been heard from.
All that is happening is a tragedy. Please don't assume the worst about her
business practices. Remember this is a very DEAR woman many of us have known &
loved(& TRUSTED) for the last 9 years.
I will give details tomorrow after I speak to her family.
Denise

It is extremely disturbing to hear that Kazue is missing. She was OK after the tsunami and earthquake. She opened a Facebook account and was friending people. I'm stunned.

Integrity Announces a BIC Exclusive: Two New Nu.Fantasy Dolls

Yuri and Kumi have returned (in name only.) Kumi "Snow White" and Yuri "Rose Red" are now dressed in almost identical frilly dresses adorned with tulle, lace, bows, ribbons and embroidered crosses. Their makeup is simplified. Their hair is also identical in style to eachother. One holds a poison apple and the other a magical hand mirror.

The image above is the property of Integrity Toys.

Pre-ordering began on May 17th. Price for each doll is 21,000 yen which translates to about $235. at today's exchange rates. Kazue at BIC is providing free shipping!

The first Kumi, "Wild Wolf," came with several fabulous pieces of clothing. I paid $300 plus $22. shipping for that giftset from Savadoll in Canada at the end of October 2008. That was an outrageous price two years ago and still is, but unfortunately I've been conditioned to expect rising prices.I never did get a NRFB Yuri but I did manage to get her outfit very cheaply at the 2008 convention and I picked up a nude doll for $187. in November. Her actual retail price was $213. No wonder I didn't buy her at first.

In the last two images above, the girls have been redressed in Soom dresses, lingerie and handbags. Black shoes are Nu.Face, dog is a OOAK felted poodle (one of the Rudettes.) Jewelry is from different sources. Yuri was given a haircut and a few freckles by me.
I think the new dolls are not as interesting as the original Yuri and Kumi. They lack the character, individuality and design finesse of the originals. The dresses and dolls are pretty but not remarkable or unique. The pictures of them are excellent and that's a good thing.

Gettiing back to the new dolls, I searched the interned with the terms "Gothic Lolita" and "Japanese Goth" and came up with many interesting images. I don't know if the designer of the new dolls had any particular style in mind. I don't care when designers copy runway couture for dolls. I like it. They all do it. Here are three I would have loved for dolls:

They are very sophisticated and remind me of what Jason would offer. Well, maybe not the first one. LOL.

Here are several "Japanese Goth" images featuring real girls:
The frilly, lacy dolls and these girls are perfectly suited to each other.

Dollystyle Convention Featured Souvenir Dolls

The Dollystyle Convention just took place in Tokyo on November 21-22. Attendees were presented with a stunning Amelie (Misaki's friend) dressed all in pink. Her fashion is a a throw back to the first Misaki doll who was dressed similarly but all in black. Amelie is called "Tokyo A Go Go." The original Misaki was called "Tokyo Here We Go!"
There was also an uber-limited Tokyo Here We Go - Marui Misaki released when the Nippon line began. I wanted this doll for such a long time and then I stopped collecting Misaki. She was dressed all in white and only 100 were ever made. I still admire this doll.

The other doll took me by surprise and until I was able to secure one I was on pins and needles. She is called "Night Warrior" and has the Vanessa sculpt.
Registrants also received the following items. This partial list was posted by Robsdolls.

DollyStyle Tote Bag(The 1st two were great!)
DollyStyle Tumbler
DollyStyle Pen
ECO Cute Bag-gift from Bar-B
Mini Cosmetic bag-gift from PB Factory
Momoko Doll-Gift from Sekiguchi
Doll Stockings-Gift from Azone
Mini Doll or Blythe items-Gift from Toms Toys & Goods

The convention was sponsored by BIC Co., Ltd. owned by the wonderful Kazue.