Can literature be tasted?
With Note de Coeur, théomurata quietly offers a poetic answer—one that unfolds through flavor, texture, and visual expression rather than words alone.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta Desroches
Note de Coeur is presented in a new limited-edition packaging created especially for Valentine’s Day and White Day, inspired by "Strawberry," a short story by Yukio Mishima. Rather than directly translating narrative into confection, the collection approaches literature as an emotional residue—something sensed rather than explained.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta Desroches
Fragrant strawberries are gently semi-dried over time to concentrate their natural flavor. Each piece is then delicately coated in two layers of ruby chocolate and white chocolate, creating a refined balance of sweetness and acidity. The result is a nuanced bite where the bright freshness of strawberry meets the smooth richness of chocolate.
In the short story "Strawberry," fleeting intimacy and quiet longing are captured through restrained language. Théomurata mirrors this sensibility in its chocolate-making philosophy: flavors are delicate yet precise, leaving space for personal interpretation. The experience lingers softly, much like the emotional echo of a story read long ago.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta Desroches
The visual identity of Note de Coeur is created by graphic artist Kanta Desroches, whose designs translate literary emotion into bold yet poetic imagery. Drawing on Japanese literature—from the Manyo-shu to the Meiji period—he reimagines love in its many guises, shaping it with théomurata into something tasted as much as read. The packaging does not illustrate the story; instead, it evokes its atmosphere—suggesting fragility, warmth, and introspection through color, rhythm, and composition. Chocolate becomes a medium through which literature is felt rather than consumed.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta Desroches
The collection centers on théomurata’s signature Beans Chocolate, inspired by traditional Japanese bean confections. Each piece balances French chocolate craftsmanship with a distinctly Japanese sensitivity to nuance, restraint, and seasonality. In Note de Coeur, these qualities are brought into sharper focus, aligning taste with the story’s emotional undertones.
Rather than positioning chocolate as a decorative gift, Note de Coeur proposes it as a cultural object—one that carries narrative, design, and craftsmanship within a single gesture. It is a gift meant not only to be given, but to be contemplated.
＊Note de Coeur is an original creation, freely inspired by Yukio Mishima’s “Strawberry,” and not officially affiliated with any rights holder.
Limited Edition Bean Chocolate (3-Paulownia Box Set) 2026 / Courtesy of théomurata
About the Artist
Kanta Desroches
Born in Paris, Kanta Desroches is a graphic artist with roots in both France and Japan. Through bold graphic expressions, he creates poetic visual worlds that stimulate the senses beyond sight. Influenced by visual poetry and Japanese art, his work bridges cultures while maintaining a deeply contemporary sensitivity. Based between Paris and Tokyo, Desroches captures the spirit of the times through a unique Franco-Japanese perspective, producing visuals that balance modern techniques with warmth and humanity.
In 2010, he founded the graphic design studio LSD.
About théomurata
théomurata is a chocolatier operated by Sansou Murata, guided by the concept of “chocolate made by Japanese hands.” Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese aesthetics, the brand reinterprets chocolate—originally rooted in French and Belgian confectionery—through refined flavors and packaging that evoke a sense of wa (harmony). Among its creations, the Beans Chocolate series, inspired by traditional Japanese bean confections, has become théomurata’s signature. The lineup currently includes 12 permanent flavors (13 including seasonal editions), earning the brand a devoted following.
About Sansou Murata
Located in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, Sansou Murata is more than a traditional ryokan. It is a multifaceted complex that brings together lodging, restaurants, bars, and a chocolate shop, offering guests an immersive experience shaped by multiple values coexisting within a single space. Through its distinctive worldview, Sansou Murata provides hospitality that extends beyond accommodation, inviting visitors into a carefully curated environment of culture, taste, and time.
Contact Information
théomurata Chocolatier
TEL: +81 977-28-8686
With Note de Coeur, théomurata quietly offers a poetic answer—one that unfolds through flavor, texture, and visual expression rather than words alone.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta DesrochesNote de Coeur is presented in a new limited-edition packaging created especially for Valentine’s Day and White Day, inspired by "Strawberry," a short story by Yukio Mishima. Rather than directly translating narrative into confection, the collection approaches literature as an emotional residue—something sensed rather than explained.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta DesrochesFragrant strawberries are gently semi-dried over time to concentrate their natural flavor. Each piece is then delicately coated in two layers of ruby chocolate and white chocolate, creating a refined balance of sweetness and acidity. The result is a nuanced bite where the bright freshness of strawberry meets the smooth richness of chocolate.
In the short story "Strawberry," fleeting intimacy and quiet longing are captured through restrained language. Théomurata mirrors this sensibility in its chocolate-making philosophy: flavors are delicate yet precise, leaving space for personal interpretation. The experience lingers softly, much like the emotional echo of a story read long ago.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta DesrochesThe visual identity of Note de Coeur is created by graphic artist Kanta Desroches, whose designs translate literary emotion into bold yet poetic imagery. Drawing on Japanese literature—from the Manyo-shu to the Meiji period—he reimagines love in its many guises, shaping it with théomurata into something tasted as much as read. The packaging does not illustrate the story; instead, it evokes its atmosphere—suggesting fragility, warmth, and introspection through color, rhythm, and composition. Chocolate becomes a medium through which literature is felt rather than consumed.
Courtesy of théomurata and Kanta DesrochesThe collection centers on théomurata’s signature Beans Chocolate, inspired by traditional Japanese bean confections. Each piece balances French chocolate craftsmanship with a distinctly Japanese sensitivity to nuance, restraint, and seasonality. In Note de Coeur, these qualities are brought into sharper focus, aligning taste with the story’s emotional undertones.
Rather than positioning chocolate as a decorative gift, Note de Coeur proposes it as a cultural object—one that carries narrative, design, and craftsmanship within a single gesture. It is a gift meant not only to be given, but to be contemplated.
＊Note de Coeur is an original creation, freely inspired by Yukio Mishima’s “Strawberry,” and not officially affiliated with any rights holder.
Limited Edition Bean Chocolate (3-Paulownia Box Set) 2026 / Courtesy of théomurata［Product Information]
Limited Beans Chocolate 3-Piece Paulownia Box Set 2026
(Strawberry Chocolate / Pistachio Chocolate / Almond Chocolate (Bitter))
¥2,947 (tax included)
Box size: H 10.5 cm × W 24.5 cm × D 3.5 cm
Shelf life: 60 days from production
Storage: Cool, dark place (15–18°C)
Allergens: Milk, soy, almonds
Strawberry Chocolate
¥864 (tax included)
Contents: 37 g
Box size: Diameter 2.7 cm × Height 23 cm
Shelf life: 60 days from production
Storage: Cool, dark place (15–18°C)
Allergens: Milk, soy
Limited Beans Chocolate 3-Piece Paulownia Box Set 2026
(Strawberry Chocolate / Pistachio Chocolate / Almond Chocolate (Bitter))
¥2,947 (tax included)
Box size: H 10.5 cm × W 24.5 cm × D 3.5 cm
Shelf life: 60 days from production
Storage: Cool, dark place (15–18°C)
Allergens: Milk, soy, almonds
Strawberry Chocolate
¥864 (tax included)
Contents: 37 g
Box size: Diameter 2.7 cm × Height 23 cm
Shelf life: 60 days from production
Storage: Cool, dark place (15–18°C)
Allergens: Milk, soy
About the Artist
Kanta Desroches
Born in Paris, Kanta Desroches is a graphic artist with roots in both France and Japan. Through bold graphic expressions, he creates poetic visual worlds that stimulate the senses beyond sight. Influenced by visual poetry and Japanese art, his work bridges cultures while maintaining a deeply contemporary sensitivity. Based between Paris and Tokyo, Desroches captures the spirit of the times through a unique Franco-Japanese perspective, producing visuals that balance modern techniques with warmth and humanity.
In 2010, he founded the graphic design studio LSD.
About théomurata
théomurata is a chocolatier operated by Sansou Murata, guided by the concept of “chocolate made by Japanese hands.” Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese aesthetics, the brand reinterprets chocolate—originally rooted in French and Belgian confectionery—through refined flavors and packaging that evoke a sense of wa (harmony). Among its creations, the Beans Chocolate series, inspired by traditional Japanese bean confections, has become théomurata’s signature. The lineup currently includes 12 permanent flavors (13 including seasonal editions), earning the brand a devoted following.
About Sansou Murata
Located in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, Sansou Murata is more than a traditional ryokan. It is a multifaceted complex that brings together lodging, restaurants, bars, and a chocolate shop, offering guests an immersive experience shaped by multiple values coexisting within a single space. Through its distinctive worldview, Sansou Murata provides hospitality that extends beyond accommodation, inviting visitors into a carefully curated environment of culture, taste, and time.
Contact Information
théomurata Chocolatier
TEL: +81 977-28-8686
