I have saw this 2 brands at market. Kimony and Kimoni. Last time i have met Kimony distributor at Singapore, he explain to me if Kimony from Japan. Kimoni from HongKong. But now have another Kimony from China. Can someone tell the difference ?
Kimony from Japan is the original brand. Kimoni from HongKong is a different brand. there is a history behind them, but probably better not be told.
The Kimony from Japan, is the original. The single ridge one is my personal favourite. The others are clever copies.
As briefly as possible, as told to me by my old man. kimony is the originally from Japan. However, for lack of better judgment or whatever (they didn't see far enough as, say Victor), they just let Yonex be top dog and content on being in existence and never thought of going worldwide (so swiftly, anyway). Some dude in China partnered with another dude in Hong Kong to create the kimoni brand because they already see potential in MISLEADING people into thinking kimoni is the kimony of Japan (which of course is not). How? The Chinese businessmen asap registered both brand names (kimony and kimoni) in mainland China and Hongkong. Taking away from kimony what is rightfully theirs. kimony realized later what a blunder they had! But kimony has to kick themselves too for the lack of foresight in hindsight, ouch, pricey business lesson. They took to the courts and it was bloody messy...
The relation between Kimony and Kimoni is not who is original and who is clone. They are the same company with two brand. Quote from www.kimoni.net Kimony is well-known for its grip tape and tennis accessories business in Japan for about 30 years. In order to cope with the development in badminton equipments market, Kimoni was being developed and it’s headquarter is located in Hong Kong while other offices in Japan and China. Kimoni designs and manufactures professional badminton equipments including badminton rackets, bags, shoes, strings, apparels, grip tapes and shuttlecocks, etc.
The relationship is actually quite confusing and made deliberately so. Quoting from the Kimoni website is not going to give you the actual picture as this is the site that is NOT owned by the original Kimony. If you follow RSLs storyline, the kimoni website would be need to be treated with some caution. I think a few people have been to Kimony Japan and gotten a version of the story similar to what RSL has mentioned as I have heard this story before from another source.
Kimochi Grips oh no, I couldn't stop laughing at this one. I guess the only shops who would stock your brand are the japanese adult shops...