The Readers Who Made It Possible

Some encounters begin almost unexpectedly.

In early 2025, what began as a simple exchange about an additional book order gradually turned into an ongoing correspondence with a reader in Brooklyn working closely within the world of specialty coffee.

Over the months that followed, emails and messages continued back and forth across time zones. Conversations moved naturally between books, coffee, paper, cafés, publishing, and the small rituals that quietly shape everyday life.

At one point, he wrote to say that he would be happy to help make a possible visit to New York happen in any way he could.

At the time, it was difficult to imagine what that support would eventually become.

What followed was six months of preparation for a series of events in New York — all organised without a single Zoom call, and without meeting in person even once before the rehearsal the day before the event itself.

On Sunday, 5 October 2025, those conversations finally took physical form at Japan Society, New York.

Guided Coffee Tasting: Brewing Moments of Clarity through Nel Drip Coffee with Nahoko
The President’s Room, Japan Society

Book Talk: An Invitation to Stillness with A Daibo Coffee Manual 
Lecture Room, Japan Society

Some travelled long distances to attend.

Some joined both the Coffee Sessions and the evening Book Talk.

Some arrived carrying years of familiarity with A Daibo Coffee Manual, while others encountered its world for the first time.

One attendee later wrote:

It was a pleasure hearing your talk on A Daibo Coffee Manual last night at Japan Society, New York! I admire and appreciate the quality of the paper and print!

I’m actually a graphic designer who is new to coffee, so I was happy to learn from you about kissaten and your publishing experience.

The event brought together people from entirely different creative worlds — coffee professionals, designers, artists, readers, and those simply curious enough to enter the room.

Among them was the Brooklyn-based young roastery and café Abeja Coffee, who attended the Book Talk as a team.

During the discussion, they asked a question that felt deeply connected to the spirit of Mr. Daibo’s coffee shop itself:

How can young coffee shops continue to stay true to their beliefs while sustaining a business?

After the talk, they came forward carrying bags of their own roasted coffee beans as a gift.

 

Later, they reflected on the evening in a public post:

 

Abeja took a field trip to the Japan Society for a special coffee event!

We got to taste some coffee, learn about Daibo Katsuji-san’s unique roasting and brewing philosophy, and also connect with other coffee lovers.

Overall, it was a wonderful reminder of how coffee can bring people together and create meaningful connections.

Reading their words, something beyond a single event seemed to be taking shape.

What had started with one book, one reader, and a handful of emails was gradually becoming a small but meaningful coffee community — shaped not through branding or strategy, but through shared curiosity, generosity, conversation, and care.

Somewhere along the way, the books themselves had begun connecting people across cities, generations, and professions — the way ripples slowly widen across still water long after the first movement begins.

 

Near the end of the event, the reader who had helped organise this gathering shared the following reflection publicly:

 

We worked hard to honor Mr. Daibo’s desire to welcome people “from all walks of life, and not just coffee aficionados.”

Thank you for getting “the hot water and the coffee grains to converse in harmony.” 

We heard the “Tsū- tsū-, koro koro” that Mr. Daibo described.

We were there to bear witness and savor the stillness. Mission accomplished!

The events in New York had never truly belonged to one person alone.

They had already become something carried forward by readers themselves.

And perhaps that is where the quiet future of books still lives.

Explore A Daibo Coffee Manual →