BRAND STORY
【The Story Behind the Brand】
(Genroku 4)
The Besshi Copper Mine (Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture) was opened by Izumiya (later the Sumitomo Zaibatsu).
(Meiji 1)
An imperial decree was issued by the Meiji Emperor to establish Minatogawa Shrine, which enshrines Lord Kusunoki Masashige—the great commander who possessed the three virtues of "Wisdom, Benevolence, and Valor."
(Meiji 7)
Saihei Hirose, the first Director-General of Sumitomo, dedicated himself not only to the modernization of the Besshi Copper Mine but also to launching a large-scale tea cultivation project in Uehara, Niihama, involving communities both inside and outside the prefecture to foster a new local industry. To assist the Meiji government, which faced a scarcity of foreign currency (the international currency during the Meiji period being the British pound), he sought to acquire foreign currency by expanding tea exports to stand alongside silk textiles.
A massive tea processing factory built atop stone walls near the north entrance of the former Hirose Residence.
A happi coat believed to have been worn by the tea plantation manager. The Igeta (well-frame) crest on the back reflects its high prestige. (From the collection of the Hirose History Memorial Museum)
A vibrant Ranji label for export tea chests, featuring a tea caddy design created using the polychrome woodblock printing techniques developed through Edo-period Ukiyo-e art. (At the time, all Latin/alphabet characters were referred to as "Ranji".) Additionally, the name "SUMITOMO" can be seen at the very bottom of the image.
*Even today, remnants of those tea plants can still be glimpsed around the former Hirose Residence, allowing visitors to feel the atmosphere of the prosperity of that era.
(Meiji 23)
Furthermore, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Besshi Copper Mine, Saihei Hirose proposed erecting a bronze statue at the Imperial Palace of Kusunoki Masashige (Dainanko)—a figure he personally revered as the ultimate historical symbol of selfless loyalty in Japanese history.
(Meiji 33)
Top-tier artists, including Koun Takamura from the Tokyo Fine Arts School (later Tokyo University of the Arts), spent approximately ten years crafting the Nanko Statue using copper mined from the Besshi Copper Mine. It was humbly presented to the Imperial Household Ministry under the name of Tomoito Sumitomo, the 15th head of the Sumitomo family (Sumitomo Kichizaemon XV).
Standing in majestic grandeur at a height of 8 meters including its pedestal, the Nanko Statue at the Imperial Palace Plaza is the most celebrated bronze statue in Japan, later even being featured on banknotes.
The plaque in the photo states, under the name of the 15th head of the Sumitomo family, Tomoito: "Ever since my ancestor Tomonobu opened the copper mine in Besshi, Iyo, his descendants have succeeded to the enterprise for two hundred years. My late elder brother, Tomotada, deeply feeling the national benevolence, wished to cast a statue of Kusunoki Masashige using Besshi copper, and here we humbly and respectfully present it to His Majesty the Emperor."
(Showa 54)
Founding of Kougetsuen INC. in Ikku-cho, Niihama City.
(Note: The location is situated adjacent to the north side of the original former Hirose Residence, which is said to have stood in Kubota until its relocation to Uehara in 1887.)
(Heisei 26)
Launched new matcha sweets including "Matcha Roffle" and "Matcha Movre." Riding the wave of the nationwide mail-order boom, they became major hits across Japan, leading Kougetsuen to be selected as one of just 30 companies to exhibit at the "1st Zoom In!! SUPER National Gourmet Fair" in 2007.
(Heisei 15)
Entering global sales for the first time with the launch of Rakuten Global Market, our sales of matcha swiftly soared to become top-tier nationwide across all product categories.
(Heisei 26)
Kougetsuen registered on Alibaba.com. It is said that when an outside breeze (kaze) meets the native soil (tsuchi), a new climate and cultural identity (fudo) is cultivated. In this way, the inherited DNA of our predecessors—passed down across time—fully set the global sales of "Japanese Matcha" into motion. Subsequently recognized nationwide as one of Japan’s leading cross-border e-commerce enterprises, our reach has now expanded to over 50 countries worldwide.
(Reiwa 1)
On October 20—just two days before the Imperial Enthronement Ceremony—the "Society for Cherishing the Nanko Statue at the Imperial Palace" (chaired by Atsushi Shinohara, President of our company), with official permission from relevant government agencies, gathered over 30 members to perform the ceremonial cleaning (Ominugui) of the Nanko Statue at the Imperial Palace Plaza, preparing a warm and gracious welcome for the many foreign dignitaries visiting Japan.
Performing the ceremonial cleaning (Ominugui) of the Nanko Statue using lush green bamboo leaves brought overnight to the Imperial Palace from Niihama, the birthplace of the bronze statue.
Scaffolding was erected to a height of 5 meters completely surrounding the Nanko Statue, allowing members to meticulously hand-wash every corner of the pedestal.
After the passing of Kusunoki Masashige, descendants of his clan relocated to Niihama to reclaim new farmland (Nitta), establishing Wakamiya Shrine in the Nitta district to enshrine his memory.
(Note: The small shrine is situated in close proximity to facilities related to the former Sumitomo Zaibatsu, including company housing and factories.)
The Shinden Taikodai float, carried by people wearing happi coats adorned with the Kikusui crest—the banner symbol of Lord Kusunoki.
(Reiwa 6)
Unveiling the New Design for "JAPANESE SAMURAI DAI-NANKOU"—A Global Matcha Brand.
(Reiwa 7)
Acquired the trademark registration for "JAPANESE SAMURAI" in the Kougetsuen logo mark.
(Reiwa 7)
Acquired the trademark registration for Kougetsuen Matcha's catchphrase, "Japan is Matcha Land."
