About Us
Where memory lives on.
🌸 Our Story
Irai ’97 began with a simple but powerful feeling — missing the people I love.
Having grown up far from family, I often searched for something that would help me feel close to them. Photos helped, but they never quite captured the warmth I was longing for. I wanted something I could see, hold, and use in daily life — something that could make the ordinary feel personal, even when the people I loved weren’t nearby.
That desire became a vision: to create beautiful, custom portraits that don’t just preserve an image — but an emotion, a bond, a memory.
That vision became Irai ’97.
🎨 What We Create
At Irai ’97, we transform your favorite moments — family photos, group shots with friends, even pictures of beloved pets — into charming, Japanese animation-style portraits that feel both nostalgic and timeless.
These portraits are printed on framed fine art prints and ceramic mugs, using only the highest quality materials — so your memories can be part of your everyday life, in ways that are beautiful, meaningful, and lasting.
✨ Why “Irai ’97”?
“Irai” (以来) in Japanese means “since then” — a word used to express something that has continued from the past up until now.
It captures the heart of our brand:
That some memories don’t fade.
That love, once felt, continues.
That the people we carry in our hearts — we carry still.
And ’97? It marks the beginning of that feeling for me. A quiet, personal year that set the tone for this journey — even before I realized where it would lead.
🌿 Our Values
We believe the items you keep in your home should carry meaning.
That beauty should feel personal.
That love, once captured, deserves the best.
That’s why at Irai ’97, we are committed to:
- Using archival-quality paper, wood frames, and ceramic goods
- Printing with long-lasting, water-based inks
- Creating on-demand, one-at-a-time, with zero overproduction
- Honoring each photo with care and craft
We make things with intention — not inventory.
🎁 Who It’s For
Whether it’s a gift or a keepsake, a tribute or a celebration — these portraits are for the moments and people that matter most.
We create art for:
- New parents capturing their growing family
- Friends keeping memories close
- Grandparents receiving something heartfelt
- Pet lovers honoring a bond
- Anyone who simply wants to hold on to a moment a little longer
Your story is personal. Your portrait should be too.
🤍 A Note from the Founder
I started Irai ’97 for personal reasons — but I built it for everyone who’s ever felt the quiet ache of distance, or the deep joy of remembering someone they love.
I hope this brand brings you the same comfort, connection, and warmth it brought me.