April 24, 2025, dawned with a spark of excitement in Piscataway, New Jersey. As the doors to HORIBA’s Optical Spectroscopy Center opened, the familiar hum of scientific discovery was joined by something even more electric—giggles, wide eyes, and the fast-paced footsteps of thirty children aged from 3 to twelve who are ready for adventure with Joy and Fun.
This center is the development and production hub dedicated to optical analysis and measurement technologies in the United States, and it develops, produces, and sells gratings, spectrometers, and photodetectors for fluorescence analyzers and optical analyzers that are used for advanced research in the fields of carbon nanotubes and other materials and biotechnology.
It was Take Your Kid to Work Day, and it wasn’t just any open house. This was a carefully crafted, joy-filled experience designed to share not just what HORIBA does—but who we are. And at the heart of it all was HONMAMON*: a spirit of authenticity, craftsmanship, and genuine purpose.
*HONMAMON: A Japanese word derived from “Honmono” that describes authenticity and excellence. The word is used especially often in Kyoto, where HORIBA’s head office is located. For HORIBA, it represents the “unique value that comes after continuing to pursue something better with all our heart.” HONMAMON describes the people, their actions and endeavors, and everything that is born as a result of the continuous pursuit for something better. HONMAMON will become beyond “Honmono” and touches people’s hearts.
From the moment each child donned a miniature lab coat—complete with their name embroidered on the pocket—they became part of something special. Not spectators, but participants. Not passive learners, but curious scientists.
In “The Great Bank Mystery,” our junior detectives were thrust into a hands-on forensic caper. Guided by Officer Jacob, they analyzed spilled soda with fluorescence spectrometers, uncovered hidden fingerprints with forensic light sources, looked at fibers with Raman, and used XRF technology to identify pieces of mysterious glass.
As they puzzled through clues and examined gemstone samples with Raman lasers, the laughter was loud, the learning was real, and the teamwork was inspiring. Through this thrilling experience, these children could learn in a self-driven way that measurement clarifies the facts with joy and fun.
The final piece of the puzzle? A word game that led to the revelation of a single word: TALL—pointing straight to the “culprit,” Mr. Jon, who took his capture with good humor and a cookie in hand.
Case closed. Justice served—with a side of juice boxes and snacks.
But this day was about so much more than just solving a mystery.
As children explored the labs, played interactive games, and met the scientists and engineers behind the instruments their parents built and supported, something deeper happened. They saw the spark that fuels innovation. They saw the teamwork, passion, and dedication that turn curiosity into solutions that shape a better world.
And they saw their parents not just as professionals, but as part of a larger family—a family built on purpose, care, and excellence in every detail.
At HORIBA, we believe even the smallest experiences can plant the seeds of big ideas. That’s why we designed every station, every activity, every smile to reflect the spirit of “HONMAMON”. Because “HONMAMON” isn’t just about quality—it’s about care. It’s about doing things not just well, but right.
As the day came to a close, and the tiny lab coats were tucked away, something lingered in the air—something more lasting than the scent of science experiments or the crumbs of celebratory cookies.
It was inspiration.
It was connection.
It was HONMAMON.
And for every child who left that day with stars in their eyes and a question on their lips, it was the beginning of a journey—one fueled by wonder, guided by authenticity, and powered by the belief that they, too, can make a difference.
HORIBA will continue to provide children with such opportunities as this to foster their scientific curiosity and self-driven attitude toward learning.
