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Kongō Gumi Co., Ltd. (株式会社金剛組, Kabushiki Gaisha Kongō Gumi) is a Japanese construction company. In January 2006, after falling on difficult times, it became a subsidiary of the Takamatsu Construction Group.[3][4]
 | |
Native name | 株式会社金剛組 |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Kongō Gumi |
| Type | Subsidiary (since 2006) |
| Industry | Construction |
| Founded | 578 [1][2] |
| Headquarters | , |
| Parent | Takamatsu Construction Group (2006–present) |
| Website | kongogumi.co.jp |
HistoryEdit
Headquartered in Osaka, Kongō Gumi was a family-owned construction company. A 3-metre (9.8 ft)-long 17th century scroll traces the 40 generations back to the company's start.[citation needed] It has continued operation through the founder's descendants.[5] The practice of sons-in-law taking the family name when they joined the family firm contributed to the Kongō Gumi's long existence.[5] As with many distinguished Japanese families, sons-in-law often joined the clan and took the Kongō family name.[5] This allowed the company to continue with the same name when there were no sons in a generation.[5] Thus, through the years, the line has continued through either a son or a daughter. Another factor for the company's longevity is the Buddhist temple construction business, which has been a reliable mainstay due to millions of Buddhist adherents.[5] Over the centuries, Kongō Gumi participated in the construction of many famous buildings, including the 16th century Osaka Castle.[citation needed]
Kongō Gumi was one of the first construction companies in Japan to use concrete with wood to build temples after the Meiji restoration. They also pioneered the use of CAD for temple design.[citation needed]
The company fell on hard times and went into liquidation in January 2006, and was purchased by the Takamatsu Construction Group.[5] Before its liquidation, it had as few as 100 employees. In 2005 it had annual revenue of ¥7.5 billion (US$70 million), and it still specialized in building Buddhist temples. The last president was Masakazu Kongō, the 40th Kongō to lead the firm. As of December 2006[update], Kongō Gumi continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Takamatsu Construction Group.[6]
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ^ Nikkei Asia (2021). Japan's oldest company defies time with merit-based succession.
- ^ English Wikipedia (2021). Shitennō-ji.
- ^ (in Japanese) Announcement of business transfer from Kongō Gumi Takamatsu Corporation IR Topics, 14 December 2005.
- ^ "End of the Road for World's Oldest Firm" Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition), 15 December 2005.
- ^ a b c d e f "The End of a 1,400-Year-Old Business". Bloomberg. April 17, 2007. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020.
- ^ Yasuhiko Nakazawa (December 31, 2020). "Japan's oldest company defies time with merit-based succession". Nikkei. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021.
External linksEdit
- Kongō Gumi website (in Japanese)
- Nikkei Special "Dawn of Gaia" vol.296 Jan 8, 2008 (in Japanese) - Introducing documentary program about reconstruction process of Kongō Gumi with Takamatsu (日経スペシャル「ガイアの夜明け」2008年1月8日放送 第296回)