Founder‘s Archives | IK Story | INABATA & CO., LTD.

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href="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/english/../assets/css/digital.css?date=20241113122331"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/english/../assets/css/index.css?0725"> <script src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/english/../assets/js/lazysizes.min.js?date=20241113122332"></script> <meta name="generator" content="a-blog cms" /> </head> <body id="Top">  <noscript><iframe src=https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NZX4SFJ height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <main id=""> <section class="fv"> <div class="fv__wrap"> <div class="fv__caption"> <h1 class="fv__caption--jp">Founder's Archives</h1> <h2 class="fv__caption--en">DIGITAL ARCHIVE</h2> </div> <div class="fv__logo"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/fv/IK_logo.svg" alt="IK" class="lazyload fv__logo__img"> </div> <div class="fv__images"> <picture class="fv__images__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/fv/sp/katsutaro.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="fv__images__photo__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/fv/sp/katsutaro.webp" alt="稲畑勝太郎の写真" class="lazyload fv__images__photo__img"> </picture> <div class="fv__images__name--jp"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/fv/name-jp.webp" alt="稲畑勝太郎" class="lazyload fv__images__name--jp__img"> </div> <div class="fv__images__name--en"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/fv/name-en.webp" alt="Katsutaro Inabata" class="lazyload fv__images__name--en__img"> </div> </div> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/fv/pc/bg.webp" class="lazyload fv__bg --pc"> </div> </section> <section class="about"> <div class="inner"> <p class="about__text">After studying in France as a student dispatched by the Kyoto prefectural government, Katsutaro Inabata devoted himself to introducing advanced Western technology to Japan, including dye and weaving techniques that he had acquired.<br> Katustaro also imported cinematograph and conducted Japan’s first cinema shows.</p>  <div class="exhibit"> <figure class="exhibit__item--n1">  <picture class="exhibit__picture" style="z-index: 1;"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-1.webp" alt="The Founder’s silk hat" class="exhibit__img" data-src_on="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-1_on.webp">   </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name">The Founder’s silk hat</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="exhibit__item--n2"> <picture class="exhibit__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/pc/item-2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" exhibit__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-2.webp" alt="Second Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure" class="lazyload exhibit__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name">Second Class of the Order <br>of the Sacred Treasure</p> <p class="exhibit__caption__details">Japan<br>1942</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="exhibit__item--n3"> <picture class="exhibit__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/pc/item-3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" exhibit__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-3.webp" alt="The bronze statue presented by employees" class="lazyload exhibit__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name">The bronze statue presented by employees<span class="exhibit__caption__name--small">In commemoration of incorporation as a stock company<br>and completion of the former Osaka Head Office building</span></p> <p class="exhibit__caption__details">1920</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="exhibit__item--n4"> <picture class="exhibit__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/pc/item-4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" exhibit__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-4.webp" alt="The Founder’s cane" class="lazyload exhibit__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name">The Founder’s cane</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="exhibit__item--n5"> <picture class="exhibit__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/pc/item-5.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" exhibit__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-5.webp" alt="Order of Merit（Grand Cross）" class="lazyload exhibit__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name">Order of Merit<br>（Grand Cross）</p> <p class="exhibit__caption__details">Portugal<br>1934</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="exhibit__item--n6"> <picture class="exhibit__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/pc/item-6.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" exhibit__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-6.webp" alt="The Founder’s passport" class="lazyload exhibit__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name">The Founder’s passport</p> <p class="exhibit__caption__details">59 years old at the time<br>1921</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="exhibit__item--n7"> <picture class="exhibit__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/pc/item-7.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" exhibit__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-7.webp" alt="Legion of Honour Grand Officer" class="lazyload exhibit__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name">Legion of Honour<br>Grand Officer</p> <p class="exhibit__caption__details">France<br>1934</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="exhibit__item--n8"> <picture class="exhibit__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/pc/item-8.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" exhibit__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/exhibit/sp/item-8.webp" alt="“Aikei (IK: love and respect)” written by the Founder" class="lazyload exhibit__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="exhibit__caption"> <p class="exhibit__caption__name" style="display: inline-block;">“<i>Aikei</i>(IK: love and respect)” written by the Founder</p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </section> <section class="history"> <div class="sec__head"> <h2 class="sec__caption"> <p class="sec__caption--en">HISTORY</p> <p class="sec__caption--jp">130 years from its founding in 1890<br>The histories of the Founder Katsutaro Inabata <br class="--sp">and Inabata & Co., Ltd. </p> </h2> <ul class="target__list"> <li class="target__item"> <a href="#History1" class="target__link"> <figure class="target__thumbnail"> <picture class="target__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/target-1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" target__img" loading="lazy"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/target-1.webp" class="lazyload target__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="target__age">0 to 14</figcaption> </figure> </a> </li> <li class="target__item"> <a href="#History2" class="target__link"> <figure class="target__thumbnail"> <picture class="target__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/target-2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" target__img" loading="lazy"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/target-2.webp" class="lazyload target__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="target__age">15 to 22</figcaption> </figure> </a> </li> <li class="target__item"> <a href="#History3" class="target__link"> <figure class="target__thumbnail"> <picture class="target__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/target-3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" target__img" loading="lazy"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/target-3.webp" class="lazyload target__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="target__age">23 to 32</figcaption> </figure> </a> </li> <li class="target__item"> <a href="#History4" class="target__link"> <figure class="target__thumbnail"> <picture class="target__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/target-4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" target__img" loading="lazy"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/target-4.webp" class="lazyload target__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="target__age">33 to 53</figcaption> </figure> </a> </li> <li class="target__item"> <a href="#History5" class="target__link"> <figure class="target__thumbnail"> <picture class="target__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/target-5.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" target__img" loading="lazy"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/target-5.webp" class="lazyload target__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="target__age">54 to Late years</figcaption> </figure> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="sec__contents"> <section class="history__wrap" id="History1"> <div class="history__head"> <div class="inner"> <div class="history__head__text"> <h3 class="history__head__caption">Growing up</h3> <div class="history__head__num"> <div> <p class="history__head__age">0-14<span class="history__head__age--small">years old</span></p> </div> <p class="history__head__year">1862～1876</p> </div> </div> <div class="history__head__contents"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-1_1.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n1"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-1_2.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n2"> </div>  </div> </div> <div class="history__contents"> <div class="inner"> <p class="history__contents__caption">Despite the misfortunes, Katsutaro's hard work<br>and outstanding grades made him one of the chosen few</p> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n1"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-1_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-1_1.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Father : Risuke</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n2"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-1_2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-1_2.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Mother : Mitsu</figcaption> </figure> </div> <p class="history__text">Katsutaro Inabata was born as the eldest son to the family that ran Kameya Masashige, a Japanese sweets shop in Karasuma Oike, Kyoto, which was a purveyor to the Imperial Household.</p> <p class="history__text">His parents’ house burned down during the Kinmon incident when he was 2 years old.Despite the family evacuating to Yamashina and falling into poverty, he studied hard and helped the family business, undaunted by this misfortune.</p> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__text">To support his family’s impoverished life, Katsutaro helped at his parents’ Japanese sweets shop, going from town to town selling sweets that were bundled in a cloth on his back, even in the dead of winter. After finishing a day’s work, he would return home and study intently with the help of his father.</p> </div> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n3"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-1_3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-1_3.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Wooden box for the compass received<br>from Emperor Meiji</figcaption> </figure> <div class="history__illust"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-1_3.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n3"> </div> </div> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <div> <p class="history__text">At 10 years old, Katsutaro was selected out of all elementary school students in Kyoto Prefecture, to memorize and recite the <i>Nihon Gaishi</i>,a 19th-century Japanese history book, in front of Emperor Meiji during his imperial visit to Kyoto.<br>A compass was granted to Katsutaro as a reward.</p> <p class="history__text">At 14, he was selected from elementary school students in Kyoto Prefecture and entered the Kyoto Prefectural Normal School (currently Kyoto University of Education). He was one of the school’s first students.</p> </div> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n4"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-1_4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-1_4.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Photograph of the Founder<br>when he entered the normal school<br>(14 years old) 1876</figcaption> </figure> </div> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n5"> <a class="jsc-ik-makimono-trigger" href="#makimono01" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-1_5.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-1_5.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </a> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Biographical series of influential people:<br> <i>"The Early Life of Katsutaro Inabata<br> –Ohotori no Su ni Aru Koro”</i><br> Published: 1931 </figcaption> <a href="https://www.inabata.co.jp/ik/kunden/" class="button__more--blank" target="_blank">more</a> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n6"> <a class="jsc-ik-makimono-trigger" href="#makimono01" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-1_6.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-1_6.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </a> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Picture scroll painted by Rinpa artist <br class="--sp">Sekka Kamisaka Volume 1 <br>National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto. 1931</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </section> <section class="history__wrap" id="History2"> <div class="history__head"> <div class="inner"> <div class="history__head__text"> <h3 class="history__head__caption">Studying in France</h3> <div class="history__head__num"> <div> <p class="history__head__age">15-22<span class="history__head__age--small">years old</span></p> </div> <p class="history__head__year">1877～1884</p> </div> </div> <div class="history__head__contents"> <picture class="history__illust__img--n1"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-2_1-pc.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-2_1-sp.webp" class="lazyload"> </picture> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-2_2.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n2"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-2_3.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n3"> </div>  </div> </div> <div class="history__contents"> <div class="inner"> <p class="history__contents__caption">Mastered the most advanced dyeing techniques<br>of the time after studying for 8 years in France</p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n1"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-2_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-2_1.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Léon Dury<br>The Founder’s mentor</figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__text">Eight students, including 15-year-old Katsutaro, were selected by the Kyoto prefectural government to study in France to develop industry in Kyoto. He traveled to France with Léon Dury, a medical doctor and French language instructor.</p> <div class="history__member"> <p class="history__member__head">The 8 students who studied in France and their areas of study</p> <p class="history__member__text">・Katsutaro Inabata: Dyeing<br>・Tomotaro Sato: Pottery<br>・Tokutaro Kondo: Textiles <br>・Yonesaburo Nakanishi: Machinery<br>・Masunosuke Yokota: Hemp fiber production<br>・Naojiro Imanishi: Papermaking, thread twisting<br>・Jiusaburo Utahara: Mining<br>・Shigekazu Yokota: Art</p> </div> <p class="history__text">After learning French in Marseille and Lyon, he studied dyeing at the La Martinière technical school in Lyon.</p> <div class="history__illust"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-2_4.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n4"> </div> <p class="history__text">At 18, he started learning practical skills at the Marnas dye factory, working for three years as an apprentice.</p> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__text">At the Marnas dyeing factory, Katsutaro even had to wash silk thread in a frozen river in winter for up to three hours. One day, a French coworker picked a fight with him, but Katsutaro threw and defeated his opponent. Subsequently, Katsutaro visited and reconciled with his coworker, who was in the hospital. After this, he gained the respect of his coworkers and became a popular figure at the factory.</p> </div> <div class="history__illust"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-2_5.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n5"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-2_5-2.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n5-2"> </div> <p class="history__text">After observing dyeing work in various European countries, he studied applied chemistry at the University of Lyon.</p> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n2"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-2_2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-2_2.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">The dictionary used by the Founder<br>when he studied in France</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n3"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-2_3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-2_3.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Study notes from when the Founder studied in France<br><span class="history__thumbnail__caption--small">National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto</span></figcaption> <a href="https://www.inabata.co.jp/ik/digital/#note" class="button__more--blank" target="_blank">more</a> </figure> </div> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n4"> <a class="jsc-ik-makimono-trigger" href="#makimono02" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist2"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-2_4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-2_4.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </a> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Picture scroll painted by Rinpa artist <br class="--sp">Sekka Kamisaka Volume 2<br>National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </section> <section class="history__wrap" id="History3"> <div class="history__head"> <div class="inner"> <div class="history__head__text"> <h3 class="history__head__caption">Returning to Japan and<br>starting own business</h3> <div class="history__head__num"> <div> <p class="history__head__age">23-32<span class="history__head__age--small">years old</span></p> </div> <p class="history__head__year">1885～1894</p> </div> </div> <div class="history__head__contents"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-3_1.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n1"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-3_2.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n2"> </div>  </div> </div> <div class="history__contents"> <div class="inner"> <p class="history__contents__caption">Strove to fulfill his duties with the high aspiration<br>of fostering Japan’s dyeing and weaving industry</p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n1"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_1.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Coworkers at Kyoto Orimono<br><span class="history__thumbnail__caption--small">From the right, front row:<br>wife of Tomotaro Sato; Trolliet, Tomotaro Sato<br>Middle row: the Founder; wife of Meniere<br>Back row: Meniere, dyeing technician; Father Marnas</span></figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__text">At 23, Katsutaro returned from France and worked for the Kyoto prefectural government.</p> <p class="history__text">At 25, he contributed to the establishment of Kyoto Orimono company, Japan’s first silk fabric dyeing and weaving company that used machines.</p> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__text">One month after marrying his wife, Tomi, Katsutaro was dismissed from Kyoto Orimono.An underlying reason for this was the deterioration of profitability due to massive capital investments, such as those into expensive spinning and weaving machinery Katsutaro imported.</p> </div> <p class="history__text">At 26, he became a chief engineer and developed many dyeing techniques. But after two years, he was suddenly discharged, taking responsibility for the deterioration of profitability due to massive capital investments.</p> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n2"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_2.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Silk mill in Kyoto <span class="history__thumbnail__caption--small">(Cited in national textbooks as one of Japan’s leading factories: <i>"History of Kyoto Orimono"</i>)</span></figcaption> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n3"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_3.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Kyoto Orimono building, which was established on the remains of a ranch <span class="history__thumbnail__caption--small">(The building is currently registered as a tangible cultural property and is being used as a library by the <br>Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University.)<br>Photo provided by: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University.</span></figcaption> </figure> </div> <p class="history__contents__caption">Showing resilience after a sudden dismissal,<br>Katsutaro paved his way from scratch</p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n4"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_4.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Nishijin shop (first shop),<br>which became Inabata’s place of origin</figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__text">At 28 in 1890, the couple established Inabata Senryoten in Kyoto. Inabata Senryoten imported dyes directly from European dye companies, starting by being the Japanese distributor for the French dye manufacturer St. Denis. Inbata Senryoten contributed to developing the dyeing and weaving industry, such as by contributing to industrial newspapers in cooperation with others in the same business.</p> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__text">When the shop was first established, it was solely handled by the couple. Every day, Katsutaro walked from dye shop to dye shop, selling dye samples bundled in a cloth on his back while his wife Tomi boiled water at the shop’s wash basin and tested dyes. </p> </div> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n5"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_5.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_5.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">“Latest Fashion Textile Samples”<br>of J. Claude Freres from France<br>Content in this file may not be reused without permission.</figcaption> <a href="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/pdf/claudefreres.pdf" class="button__more--blank" target="_blank">more</a> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n6"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_6.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_6.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Advertisement and contribution<br>at the time of founding</figcaption> <button class="button__more--modal">more</button> </figure> </div> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n7"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_7.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_7.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Wooden statue of the Founder’s wife, Tomi</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n8"> <a class="jsc-ik-makimono-trigger" href="#makimono03" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist3"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_8.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_8.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </a> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Picture scroll painted by Rinpa artist <br class="--sp">Sekka Kamisaka Volume 3<br>National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto</figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__contents__caption">Katsutaro’s desire at the time of establishment</p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n9"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-3_9.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-3_9.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">“<i>Guide to Common Aniline Dyes</i> (published in November 1890)”</figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__text">Katsutaro, who had seen the inferior quality of dyes imported to Japan through foreign trading houses, expressed in his advertisements his desire to <em class="--red">“contribute to improving Japanese dyeing techniques by importing high-quality dyes directly from Europe and teaching usage methods, which in turn would lead to the steady development of the dye industry.”</em></p> </div> </div> </section> <section class="history__wrap" id="History4"> <div class="history__head"> <div class="inner"> <div class="history__head__text"> <h3 class="history__head__caption">Fostering Japan’s dyeing<br>and weaving industries</h3> <div class="history__head__num"> <div> <p class="history__head__age">33-53<span class="history__head__age--small">years old</span></p> </div> <p class="history__head__year">1895～1915</p> </div> </div> <div class="history__head__contents"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/illust/illust-4_1.webp" class="lazyload history__illust__img--n1"> </div>  </div> </div> <div class="history__contents"> <div class="inner"> <p class="history__contents__caption">Established Muslin Boshoku<br>after learning spinning and weaving techniques</p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n1"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_1.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Panoramic view of Muslin Boshoku</figcaption> </figure> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__text"> Spinning and weaving technologies were not Katsutaro’s specialty. Although he traveled to France to learn muslin production methods, it was difficult to find someone to learn from as they were afraid of their technologies leaving the country, and he was even suspected of being a spy. He managed to learn these technologies thanks to the efforts of his friends from when he studied in France, who helped him gain access to a spinning factory for research. </p> </div> <p class="history__text"> At 33, Katsutaro established the Muslin Boshoku company and became its auditor.　He was aiming for domestic production of muslin, a wool fabric also called <i>to-chirimen</i>, which was imported in large quantities then.　He traveled to France to learn about muslin spinning and weaving technologies and purchase equipment. After returning the following year, he established a factory in Nakatsu, Osaka. </p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n2"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_2.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </figure> <p class="history__text">Considering the spinning and weaving machines Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques manufactured to be the best, he seized the opportunity to import and sell various types of their machinery.</p> <dl class="history__explanation"> <dt class="history__explanation__head">What is muslin?</dt> <dd class="history__explanation__details"> <p class="history__explanation__text"> Muslin is a thin, soft, warm wool material that was widely used for kimono. It was an even more expensive import than silk in Japan then and was an important export for France. Its annual import volume in 1873 was around 5 million yards, which increased to approximately 37 million yards in 1896. </p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n3"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_3.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Muslin fabric imported by the Founder<br>(Kyoto Institute of Technology)</figcaption> </figure> </dd> </dl> <p class="history__contents__caption">Established Inabata Dye House<br>to achieve domestic production for the dye business</p> <div class="history__contents__wrap"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n4"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_4.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Maroon <i>hakama</i> skirt(replica)</figcaption> </figure> </div> <p class="history__text"> At 35, Katsutaro established Inabata Dye House for the dye processing of cotton cloth and became the president.　He introduced superior dyeing equipment from Europe, used the latest dyes, and trained engineers and artisans himself.　In particular, the maroon color known then as “<i>Inabata-zome</i>” became popular in the middle of the Meiji Period, as they were used for girls’ school uniforms and <i>hakama</i> skirts for women.　During the Russo-Japanese War, he created a khaki dye for military uniforms that was difficult to see on the battlefield. </p> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__text">Ichizo Kobayashi, the founder of Hankyu Railway, liked the maroon color, which was popular at the time and used for <i>hakama</i> skirts for female students. He chose it for the body color of his trains. </p> <p class="history__episode__reference">Reference: Yoshinobu Takebe (2016)<br>“<i>The Beginnings of Cinema in Osaka,</i>” Sairyusha.</p> <blockquote> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n5"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_5.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_5.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption"><cite>Source: National Diet Library website.</cite></figcaption> </figure> </blockquote> </div> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n6"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_6.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_6.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">With employees at Inabata Dye House</figcaption> <button class="button__more--modal">more</button> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n7"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_7.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_7.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Sample of khaki dye from Inabata Dye House <br> Katsutaro Kunden (The Biography of Katsutaro Inabata)</figcaption> <a href="https://www.inabata.co.jp/ik/kunden/" class="button__more--blank" target="_blank">more</a> </figure> </div> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n8"> <div class="slick"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_8.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_8.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_9.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_9.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_10.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_10.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-4_11.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-4_11.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </div> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Katsutaro Kunden<br>（The Biography of Katsutaro Inabata）<br>revised book</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </section> <section class="history__wrap" id="History5"> <div class="history__head"> <div class="inner"> <div class="history__head__text"> <h3 class="history__head__caption">Fostering Japan’s dyeing<br>and weaving industries</h3> <div class="history__head__num"> <div> <p class="history__head__age">54years-<span class="history__head__age--small">Late years</span></p> </div> <p class="history__head__year">1916～1949</p> </div> </div> <div class="history__head__contents"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n1"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_1.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Copies of letters from the founder to French business partners</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n2"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_2.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Sign of Honorary Vice Consulate of Portuguese<br>Republic residing in Kyoto</figcaption> </figure> </div>  </div> </div> <div class="history__contents"> <div class="inner"> <p class="history__contents__caption">Establishment of the Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing Co., Ltd.<br>to domestically produce synthetic dyes</p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n3"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_3.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">The Founder (front and center wearing a silk hat) when he was president of the Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing Co., Ltd. with employees</figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__text">At age 54 in 1916, Katsutaro participated in the establishment of the Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and became an auditor.</p> <p class="history__text">At 64, he became president due to demands to overhaul its continuously unprofitable structure and strengthen management.</p> <p class="history__text"> The Nissenkai dye association was formed by Inabata Shoten, Nagase Shoten, and five other companies to establish a sales structure.The founder created a system responsible for selling a fixed volume of dyes manufactured by Japan Dyestuff and improved the company’s financial results year after year, even during the unprecedented recession at the beginning of the Showa era. </p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n4"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_4.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">The Inabata Shoten (Inabata & Co.) trademark specified<br>for small packaging by the Nissenkai dye association</figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__text">Affected by law enforcement in 1943 regulating companies manufacturing munitions, Japan Dyestuff merged with what is now Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. They had a deep relationship through the supply of materials.</p> <p class="history__contents__caption">Devoted himself to citizen diplomacy and trade promotion<br>as an honorary consul to various countries</p> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n5"> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture--l"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_5.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_5.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture--r"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_6.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_6.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </div> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">(Left）The statue of Katsutaro Inabata standing near the entrance to the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry<br>（Right）The Institut français du Japon – Kansai after relocation from the Kujoyama district to the Yoshida district </figcaption> </figure> <p class="history__text">At age 57, Katsutaro became honorary consul to Bolivia in Osaka. Subsequently, he received appointments as honorary consul to several European countries, including Portugal, and devoted himself to citizen diplomacy.</p> <p class="history__text"> At 60, he was appointed the 10th chairman of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He visited various sites in China and the West and traveled to Geneva as the Japanese representative for the International Labour Conference hosted by the ILO. His travel experiences were published in the book <i>Oua ni Tsukaishite (Dispatched to Europe and Asia).</i></p> <p class="history__text"> At 64, he was elected as a member of the House of Peers.With the then French Ambassador to Japan, Paul Claudel, who was also famous as a poet, he established a society for Franco-Japanese cultural exchange in Kyoto. He also collected donations from influential business leaders in the Kansai region and built the Institut français du Japon – Kansai in the Kujoyama district of Kyoto.</p> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n6"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_7.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_7.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">With artist Tsuguharu Fujita<br> at the Institut français du Japon <br class="--sp">– Kansai in 1936</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n7"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_8.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_8.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Painting of a horse<br> Artist: Shunkyo Yamamoto; <br class="--sp">Poet: Paul Claudel<br> National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto</figcaption> <button class="button__more--modal">more</button> </figure> </div> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n8"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_9.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_9.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Waraku-en calendar</figcaption> <button class="button__more--modal">more</button> </figure> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__caption">Citizen diplomacy at Waraku-en</p> <p class="history__episode__text"> The grounds of Waraku-en, which was the Inabata residence in the Nanzen-ji Temple precinct of Kyoto, stretched for more than 5,000 tsubo (about 16,000 ㎡), and the view was one of the best in Kyoto.<br>It was there that, from the Taisho era through the Showa era, business partners were entertained, industry leaders gathered, and events such as welcome parties for political and business leaders and foreign heads of state, dignitaries, and VIPs as well as garden parties for the company staff were frequently held. </p> </div> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n9"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_10.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_10.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Waraku-en guest book</figcaption>  </figure> </div> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n10"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_11.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_11.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Signature of Helen Keller written on the guest book<br> May 1937</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n11"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_12.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_12.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">Signature of Eiichi Shibusawa written on the guest book<br> April 1915</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="history__episode"> <p class="history__episode__head">EPISODE</p> <p class="history__episode__caption">Entrepreneur Eiichi Shibusawa and the Founder</p> <p class="history__episode__text">【Upon establishment of Kyoto Orimono】<br> Founder Inabata emphasized the necessity of a modern textile company to then-renowned entrepreneur Shibusawa, who agreed and asked the governor of Kyoto Prefecture and business tycoons to cooperate.<br><br> 【Upon establishment of the Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing】<br> The Founder, who was vice chairman of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the necessity of domestically producing synthetic dyes as imports stopped due to World War I. Shibusawa agreed and became one of the executives of Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing.</p> </div> <div class="history__contents__wrap--flex-pc"> <figure class="history__thumbnail--n12"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_13.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_13.webp" class="lazyload history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <figcaption class="history__thumbnail__caption">The Founder, at age 75<br> 1937</figcaption> </figure> <div class="history__awarded"> <table class="history__awarded__table"> <caption class="history__awarded__caption">Major awards received by Katsutaro Inabata</caption> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Japan</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Second Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure,<br> Third Class of the Order of the Rising Sun<br> Medal with Green Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">France</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of the Black Star (Grand Cross)<br> National Order of the Legion of Honour (Grand Officer)<br> Royal Order of Cambodia (Knight Grand Cross)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Belgium</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of Leopold (First Class)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Romania</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of the Star of Romania (Colan/First Class)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">The Pope</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of St. Sylvester (Knight Grand Cross)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Portugal</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of Merit (Grand Cross)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Ethiopia</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of the Star of Ethiopia (Grand Cross)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Poland</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Second Class)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Czechoslovakia(current Czech Republic and Slovakia)</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of the White Lion (Second Class)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Bolivia</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of the Condor of the Andes (Second Class)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Annam (current Vietnam)</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Imperial Order of the Dragon of Annam (Second Class)</td> </tr> <tr> <th class="history__awarded__country">Siam (current Thailand)</th> <td class="history__awarded__details">Order of the White Elephant (Commander)</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </div> <picture class="history__picture"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/pc/history-5_14.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/history/sp/history-5_14.webp" class="lazyload history__picture__img"> </picture> </div>  </section> </div> </section> <section class="president" id="President"> <div class="sec__head"> <h2 class="sec__caption"> <p class="sec__caption--jp">Presidents of Inabata ＆Co.<br> and its 130 years of History</p> <p class="sec__caption--en">History</p> </h2> </div> <div class="sec__contents" id="Scroll"> <div class="scroll-area"> <ul class="president__list scroll-wrap"> <li class="president__item--n1 scroll-item"> <div class="president__head"> <div class="president__period"> <p class="period__caption">In office</p> <p class="president__total"><span class="president__total--en">47</span>years</p> <p class="president__years">1890-1937</p> </div> <picture class="president__thumbnail"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/president-1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="presiden__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/president-1.webp" alt="Katsutaro Inabata" class="lazyload presiden__img"> </picture> <div class="president__details"> <div class="president__person"> <p class="president__position">Founder</p> <p class="president__life">1862 - 1949</p> <p class="president__name">Katsutaro Inabata</p> </div> </div> <p class="president__start"><span class="president__start--en">1890</span></p> </div> <div class="president__events"> <table class="events__table"> <caption class="events__caption">Global events</caption> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1894</td> <td class="events__name">Sino-Japanese War</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1904</td> <td class="events__name">Russo-Japanese War</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1914</td> <td class="events__name">World War I</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1923</td> <td class="events__name">Great Kanto Earthquake</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="president__contents"> <div class="timeline__head"> <p class="timeline__head__era">Meiji 23</p> </div> <ul class="timeline__list"> <li class="timeline__item--n1"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1890</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Founded Inabata Senryoten</p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-1_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-1_1.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n2"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1897</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Introduced the cinematograph to Japan</p> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n3"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1918</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Inabata Shoten incorporated</p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-1_2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-1_2.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="president__item--n2 scroll-item"> <div class="president__head"> <div class="president__period"> <p class="period__caption">In office</p> <p class="president__total"><span class="president__total--en">32</span>years</p> <p class="president__years">1937-1969</p> </div> <picture class="president__thumbnail"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/president-2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="presiden__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/president-2.webp" alt="Taro Inabata" class="lazyload presiden__img"> </picture> <div class="president__details"> <div class="president__person"> <p class="president__position">2nd president</p> <p class="president__life">1898 - 1988</p> <p class="president__name">Taro Inabata</p> </div> </div> <p class="president__start"><span class="president__start--en">1937</span></p> </div> <div class="president__events"> <table class="events__table"> <caption class="events__caption">Global events</caption> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1939</td> <td class="events__name">World War II</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1945</td> <td class="events__name">End of the war</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1950</td> <td class="events__name">Korean War</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1964</td> <td class="events__name">Tokaido Shinkansen<br> begins service,<br> Tokyo Olympics</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="president__contents"> <div class="timeline__head"> <p class="timeline__head__era">Showa 12</p> </div> <ul class="timeline__list"> <li class="timeline__item--n1"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1944</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">The Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing Co., Ltd.<br> merged with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.</p> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n2"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1959</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Imported polypropylene<br> to Japan for the first time</p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-2_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-2_1.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n3"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1961</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Listed on the Second Section<br> of the Osaka Securities Exchange</p> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n4"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1962</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Listed on the Second Section of the<br> Tokyo Stock Exchange</p> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="president__item--n3 scroll-item"> <div class="president__head"> <div class="president__period"> <p class="period__caption">In office</p> <p class="president__total"><span class="president__total--en">3</span>years</p> <p class="president__years">1969-1972</p> </div> <picture class="president__thumbnail"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/president-3.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="presiden__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/president-3.webp" alt="Hideo Ito" class="lazyload presiden__img"> </picture> <div class="president__details"> <div class="president__person"> <p class="president__position">3rd president</p> <p class="president__life">1902 - 1977</p> <p class="president__name">Hideo Ito</p> </div> </div> <p class="president__start"><span class="president__start--en">1969</span></p> </div> <div class="president__events"> <table class="events__table"> <caption class="events__caption">Global events</caption> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1971</td> <td class="events__name">Nixon Shock</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="president__contents"> <div class="timeline__head"> <p class="timeline__head__era">Showa 44</p> </div> <ul class="timeline__list"> <li class="timeline__item--n1"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1970</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Inabata Group’s 80th anniversary</p> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n2"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1971</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">New Tokyo Head Office building<br> unveiled</p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-3_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-3_1.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="president__item--n4 scroll-item"> <div class="president__head"> <div class="president__period"> <p class="period__caption">In office</p> <p class="president__total"><span class="president__total--en">26</span>years</p> <p class="president__years">1972-1998</p> </div> <picture class="president__thumbnail"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/president-4.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="presiden__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/president-4.webp" alt="Katsuo Inabata" class="lazyload presiden__img"> </picture> <div class="president__details"> <div class="president__person"> <p class="president__position">4th president</p> <p class="president__life">1926 - 2021</p> <p class="president__name">Katsuo Inabata</p> </div> </div> <p class="president__start"><span class="president__start--en">1972</span></p> </div> <div class="president__events"> <table class="events__table"> <caption class="events__caption">Global events</caption> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1979</td> <td class="events__name">1979 oil crisis</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1980</td> <td class="events__name">Iran-Iraq War</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1987</td> <td class="events__name">Black Monday</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1989</td> <td class="events__name">Fall of the Berlin Wall</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1991</td> <td class="events__name">Collapse of the Soviet Union</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1993</td> <td class="events__name">Establishment of the European Union (EU)</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">1995</td> <td class="events__name">Great Hanshin Earthquake</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="president__contents"> <div class="timeline__head"> <p class="timeline__head__era">Showa 47</p> </div> <ul class="timeline__list"> <li class="timeline__item--n1"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1973</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock<br> Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange</p> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n2"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1984</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Separation of the pharmaceuticals<br> business and establishment of<br> Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.</p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-4_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-4_1.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n3"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1990</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Inabata’s 100th anniversary<br> The new Osaka Head Office building<br> unveiled </p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-4_2.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-4_2.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="president__item--n5 scroll-item"> <div class="president__head"> <div class="president__period"> <p class="period__caption">In office</p> <p class="president__total"><span class="president__total--en">7</span>years</p> <p class="president__years">1998-2005</p> </div> <picture class="president__thumbnail"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/president-5.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="presiden__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/president-5.webp" alt="Takeo Inabata" class="lazyload presiden__img"> </picture> <div class="president__details"> <div class="president__person"> <p class="president__position">5th president</p> <p class="president__life">1938 - 2005</p> <p class="president__name">Takeo Inabata</p> </div> </div> <p class="president__start"><span class="president__start--en">1998</span></p> </div> <div class="president__events"> <table class="events__table"> <caption class="events__caption">Global events</caption> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">2001</td> <td class="events__name">September 11 attacks</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">2003</td> <td class="events__name">Iraq War</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="president__contents"> <div class="timeline__head"> <p class="timeline__head__era">Heisei 10</p> </div> <ul class="timeline__list"> <li class="timeline__item--n1"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">1998</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Business reorganized into 5 segments<br> (IT & Electronics, Housing Materials,<br> Chemicals, Plastics, and Food)</p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-5_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-5_1.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n2"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">2000</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Obtained ISO 14001 certification</p> </dd> </dl> </li> <li class="timeline__item--n3"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">2003</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Introduced executive officer system<br> Obtained ISO 9001 certification</p> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="president__item--n6 scroll-item"> <div class="president__head"> <div class="president__period"> <p class="period__caption">In office</p> <p class="president__years">2005～<br class="--sp">Current</p> </div> <picture class="president__thumbnail"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/president-6.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="presiden__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/president-6.webp" alt="Katsutaro Inabata" class="lazyload presiden__img"> </picture> <div class="president__details"> <div class="president__person"> <p class="president__position">6th president</p> <p class="president__life">1959 -</p> <p class="president__name">Katsutaro Inabata</p> </div> </div> <p class="president__start"><span class="president__start--en">2005</span></p> </div> <div class="president__events"> <table class="events__table"> <caption class="events__caption">Global events</caption> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">2007</td> <td class="events__name">iPhone released</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">2008</td> <td class="events__name">Bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">2011</td> <td class="events__name">Great East Japan Earthquake</td> </tr> <tr class="events__row"> <td class="events__year">2022</td> <td class="events__name">Russia-Ukraine War</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="president__contents"> <div class="timeline__head"> <p class="timeline__head__era">Heisei 17</p> </div> <ul class="timeline__list"> <li class="timeline__item--n1"> <dl class="timeline__contents"> <dt class="timeline__caption"> <span class="timeline__year--en">2010</span> </dt> <dd class="timeline__details"> <p class="timeline__happened">Management Philosophy reorganized<br> and announced</p> <picture class="timeline__photo"> <source data-srcset="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/pc/timeline-6_1.webp" media="(min-width: 769px)" class="timeline__img"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/president/sp/timeline-6_1.webp" class="lazyload timeline__img"> </picture> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section class="grobal"> <div class="sec__head"> <h2 class="sec__caption"> <p class="sec__caption--jp">Inabata katsutaro’s Voyage to<br> Europe and Global Network</p> </h2> </div> <div class="sec__contents"> <div class="inner"> <p class="grobal__text">At 15, Katsutaro traveled to France with seven students sent by Kyoto Prefecture.<br> The map shows the 44-day journey from the port of Yokohama to Marseille, France.<br>Our Group's current (as of July 2023) global network is represented by ● for overseas trading company and ▲ for manufacturing and processing base.</p> <div class="grobal__thumbnail --sp"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/sp/grobal-1.webp" alt="稲畑勝太郎氏渡欧の航跡" class="lazyload grobal__img"> </div> <div class="grobal__thumbnail --sp"> <img data-src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/sp/grobal-2.webp" alt="稲畑産業のグローバル拠点" class="lazyload grobal__img"> </div>  <div class="grobal__thumbnail --pc slick lazyload"> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/pc/grobal-pc1.webp" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/pc/grobal-pc2.webp" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/pc/grobal-pc3.webp" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/pc/grobal-pc4.webp" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/pc/grobal-pc5.webp" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> </picture>  <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/pc/grobal-pc7.webp" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> </picture>  <picture class="history__thumbnail__picture"> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/grobal/pc/grobal-pc9.webp" class=" history__thumbnail__img"> </picture> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="" id="makimono"> <section class="ik-makimono-section"> <div class="ik-makimono-unit">  <ol class="ik-inner ik-makimono-list"> <li>   <div id="makimono01" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">京都三条大橋東入　亀屋菓子舗</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-1.webp" alt="京都三条大橋東入　亀屋菓子舗"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">創業者は、1862年（文久2年）10月30日京都烏丸通御池東南角で、父利助、母みつの長男として生まれました。生家は商号を「亀屋正重」という皇室御用達の菓子舗でしたが、創業者が2歳のとき、蛤御門の変で焼失、一家は山科に避難しました。<br>その翌年、京都三条大橋東5丁目西海子町に小さな菓子舗を再開しましたが、商売は振るわず、暮らしは打って変わって貧しいものとなりました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono01-02" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono01-02" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">創業者、少年時代</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-2.webp" alt="創業者、少年時代"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">とても親孝行で活発な少年でした。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono01-03" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono01-03" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">創業者、粟田小学校に入学する</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-3.webp" alt="創業者、粟田小学校に入学する"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">創業者は、粟田小学校（現白川小学校）に入学、不遇に屈せず、孝養と勉学に励みました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono01-04" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono01-04" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">創業者、御前誦読の名誉を得る</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-4.webp" alt="創業者、御前誦読の名誉を得る"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">在学中、京都府下の小学生から選抜され、1872年（明治5年）6月、京都に行幸中の明治天皇の御前にて、頼山陽の「日本外史」を誦読して才能を示しました。褒美として、コンパス一式を賜わりました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono01-05" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono01-05" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">創業者、京都府師範学校に入学する</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-5.webp" alt="創業者、京都府師範学校に入学する"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">1876年（明治9年）5月、京都に師範学校が創設されるや、府下の小学校から選抜されて、創業者はその第1期生として入学しました。<br>父母の元を離れて寄宿舎に入り、他生徒以上に学業に精励し、寸刻を惜んで勉強しました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono01-06" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono01-06" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">京都府知事、創業者にフランス留学を命じる</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-6.webp" alt="京都府知事、創業者にフランス留学を命じる"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">1877年（明治10年）、フランス語学校教師として京都に招かれていたレオン・デュリーの進言に基づき、京都府は、創業者をはじめ8名を選び、フランスに留学生として派遣することになりました。<br>図は、槇村京都府知事が15歳の創業者にフランス留学を命じているところです。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono01-07" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono01-07" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">フランス留学に町内は驚く</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-7.webp" alt="フランス留学に町内は驚く"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">町内は、創業者のフランス留学の話でもちきりとなりました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono01-08" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist1" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono01-08" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">フランス留学の船旅に出発</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_1-8.webp" alt="フランス留学の船旅に出発"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">1877年（明治10年）11月、創業者らフランス留学生8名は、レオン・デュリーに伴われて横浜を出帆し、翌年1月にマルセイユに到着しました。<br>留学生8名は、マルセイユおよびリヨンで1年余りフランス語を勉強しました。<br>創業者はその後、レオン・デュリーの助言に従い、リヨンの工業学校で染色を専攻することになりました。</p> </div> </li> <li>   <div id="makimono02" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">朝早く工場へ出勤</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_2-1.webp" alt="朝早く工場へ出勤"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">リヨンの工業学校で染色の基礎を学んだものの、学問的な知識だけでは不十分だと感じ、マルナス工場の徒弟となりました。働きながら技術を習得するため、労働時間は1日11時間を超えたそうです。3年におよぶ過酷な日々を支えたのは、国のために選ばれて来ているという使命感と、帰国後に人々の役に立ちたいとの強い思いでした。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono02-02" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist2" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono02-02" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">冬季ローヌ河で絹糸を洗う</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_2-2.webp" alt="冬季ローヌ河で絹糸を洗う"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">氷の張った冬のローヌ河の水は骨まで刺す冷たさでした。絹糸を洗う手はあかぎれで血がにじんでいたそうです。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono02-03" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist2" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono02-03" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">絹糸の大袋を屋上に運ぶ</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_2-3.webp" alt="絹糸の大袋を屋上に運ぶ"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">マルナス工場の建物は4階建て、地階に練場、屋上には硫黄室がありました。<br>木靴を履き、シャボン液の滴る絹糸の大袋を背負いきれぬほど担ぎ、1日十数回、練場と硫黄室との階段を往復しました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono02-04" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist2" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono02-04" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">シャボン液を運ぶ</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_2-4.webp" alt="シャボン液を運ぶ"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">絹糸を洗うシャポン液の入った重い樽を運搬しているところです。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono02-05" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist2" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono02-05" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">日本人の腕前を見よ</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_2-5.webp" alt="日本人の腕前を見よ"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">工場の東洋人は創業者一人で、肩身の狭い思いをしていました。<br>ある日昼食のことでからかわれたことがきっかけで喧嘩となり、相手を投げ飛ばしてしまいました。眺めていた他の職工もかかってきましたが、いずれも創業者に打ち負かされてしまいました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono02-06" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist2" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono02-06" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">工場内で噂広がる</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_2-6.webp" alt="工場内で噂広がる"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">この喧嘩で創業者はとても強いと分かり、それからは創業者を侮辱するものは一人もいなくなりました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono02-07" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist2" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono02-07" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">病院へお見舞い</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_2-7.webp" alt="病院へお見舞い"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">投げ飛ばした相手が職工として仕事ができなくなったことを伝え聞いた創業者は、病院へお見舞いに行きました。そして後日、馬車を購入し、御者として生活ができるよう計らいました。<br>このうわさが工場内に広まり、その後工場の皆は創業者に親切になり、染色の技術習得に便宜を図ってくれました。</p> </div> </li> <li>   <div id="makimono03" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">モルトケ将軍を街上に見る君伝P177</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_3-1.webp" alt="モルトケ将軍を街上に見る君伝P177"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">フランス留学中の創業者は、イギリス、フランス、ドイツ、ベルギーなどの染織工業の状況も視察しました。<br>ベルリン滞在時には街を散歩中の普仏戦争の英雄モルトケ将軍に偶然出会いました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono03-02" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist3" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono03-02" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">稲畑染料店開業当時君伝P238</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_3-2.webp" alt="稲畑染料店開業当時君伝P238"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">1890年（明治23年）8月、京都織物株式会社を辞した創業者は同年10月、フランスの染料メーカー、サンドニー社の総代理店として京都市三条大橋東5丁目西海子町に稲畑染料店を開業。さらに同年内には上京区智恵光院通り中筋角に新店舗を開設しました。</p> </div> <a href="#makimono03-03" data-rel="lightcase:myCollectionArtist3" style="display: none;"></a> <div id="makimono03-03" style="display: none;"> <h3 class="ik-makimono-ttl">モスリン研究中の危難君伝P285</h3> <img src="/themes/inabata/ik/digitalarchive/assets/img/digital/makimono_3-3.webp" alt="モスリン研究中の危難君伝P285"> <p class="ik-makimono-desc">1896年（明治29年）早々、紡織技術の研究と機械設備購入のために、創業者自ら単身フランスに渡り、苦労してモスリンの製造方法を探りました。<br>当時はフランスでも、国家を挙げてモスリンを産業育成していたので、スパイと間違われ村を追われるハプニングもありました。</p> </div> </li> </ol> </div> </section> </div> <aside class="to-top"> <div 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