In Japanese, maru means “round”. I first came across it through Chiyomaru, a sumo wrestler known for being perfectly round, playful, and irresistibly cute - often compared to soft, round animals. Over time, “Maru” became a little archetype for me: a symbol of all things round, gentle, cosy, and joyfully shaped.

Friends eventually started calling me “Maru”, and the name stayed. For me, it’s not just about physical roundness - it’s about the feeling of softness, warmth, and ease. “Maru” is my way of celebrating round, cute things and the comforting, wholehearted lifestyle they represent.