Genda Shigyō

Genta Shigyō

Native name	源田紙業
Company type	Kabushiki gaisha
Industry	Pulp and paper
Predecessor	Zenro Genda
Founded	771 (771)
Headquarters	Japan, 〒602-8066 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Higashihashizumecho, 76-1, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto , Japan
Website	www.shinise.ne.jp/j_kyoto/voices/vol/48/48-d.html ^[dead link‍]

Genda Shigyō (Japanese: 源田紙業株式会社, romanized: Genda Shigyō Kabushiki gaisha) is a Japanese paper production company which has produced ceremonial paper goods such as mizuhiki, gift wrapping and betrothal gifts since 771.[1][2] It is often known as one of the oldest still-operating companies in the world.

History

Genda Shigyō was said to have been founded in 771 (Hogame 2) during the Nara period (710-794). Moved to Kyoto with the relocation of the capital to Heian period (794-1192). In the late Edo period, the Genda family took over the business of Zenbe Yagiya and it became Yagizen Genda Shoten. The company supplied mizuhiki to the Imperial Palace until the Meiji Era, when mizuhiki became popular among the general public. In 1986, Genda Shigyo Co. Ltd. was engaged in the manufacture of mizuhiki until the prewar period at its current location, and now handles the wholesale and printing of products using mizuhiki, ceremonial goods such as yuzuna (betrothal gifts), and other paper products.[3]

See also

• Japanese craft
• List of oldest companies
• List of Traditional Crafts of Japan

References

1. "Over a Thousand Years of Service: Japan's Oldest Businesses Reign Supreme(ly Old)". 28 October 2014.
2. Eaton, Victor (2017-10-29). "10 Oldest Companies in the World". Oldest.org. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
3. "京を語る｜情報誌『京都』". 2016-03-12. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2022-12-05.

External links

• 京を語る｜情報誌『京都』 at the Wayback Machine (archived May 9, 2019)(in Japanese)