Morimura Group
The Morimura Group, one of Japan’s foremost manufacturers of ceramics and porcelain, traces its roots back to 1876 when it was first established by the Morimura Gumi (currently Morimura Bros., Inc.), a pioneer in Japanese trade founded by Ichizaemon Morimura VI and his brother Toyo.
History of the Morimura Group
The evolution of the group began in January 1904 with the founding of Nippon Toki Gomei Kaisha (later to become Nippon Toki Kabushiki Kaisha Currently NORITAKE CO., LIMITED) by the Morimura brothers. The sanitary ware divisions of both companies were then spun off in May 1917 to form Toyo Toki Co., Ltd. (currently TOTO Ltd.), which subsequently spun off its insulator department to establish NGK Insulators, Ltd. in May 1919.
In the same year, Okura China,Inc. (currently Okura Art China, Inc.) was established, with Ina Seito Ltd. (currently INAX Corporation and would later merge with Tostem Corporation in October 2001) later established in February 1924. Thereafter Nitto Seiko Ltd. (merged with NORITAKE CO., LIMITED in June 1985), NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. (a spin off from Nihon Gaishi NGK spark plug division), and Kyoritsu Genryo (currently KCM Corporation) were established in 1936, forming the basis of the Morimura Group today.
Diagram of the Morimura Group’s History
Publication: “The Unselfish Life of Ichizaemon Morimura”
Yukio Sunagawa’s “The Unselfish Life of Ichizaemon Morimura” was published by Soshisha Publishing.
Just what kind of secrets and history lies behind the formation of the Morimura Group? What kind of person was Ichizaemon Morimura, who was the manf behind the Group’s formation, and what kind of contributions did he make to society?
His noble spirit, superior management techniques and surprisingly austere way of life that have until now been almost entirely unknown are vividly and tangibly depicted in this book.
List price: JPY 2,000
Group Company Websites
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NORITAKE CO., LIMITED
Introduces cultural activities relating to tableware, advanced cutting, grinding and polishing technologies, new-media and fine ceramics technologies, employment opportunities, business information as well as business reports, etc.
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TOTO Ltd.
Introduces plumbing products, such as bidets and system kitchens, and also provides information on distributors, structural renovation companies and events and publications at its galleries and Bookshop TOTO etc.
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NGK Insulators, Ltd.
As the name NGK Encyclopage suggests, this website provides a company overview, business information, financial information, news releases, etc - everything about NGK Spark Plug is here! This website also the portal to the NGK science website which has a regular article in the science magazine “Newton.”
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Niterra Co., Ltd.
The corporate website of Niterra Co., Ltd., which possesses top-of-the-line technological prowess in a wide range of fields such as NGK sparkplugs, automotive exhaust gas sensors, IC packages, and filters for mobile communications apparatuses. Also provides information on car races.
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Morimura Bros., Inc.
The corporate website of the general trading company that performs the import, export and domestic sales of ceramics, heat resistant raw materials, aircraft materials, metals, industrial raw materials and products for the electronics industries, chemicals, plant machinery, flavorings and foodstuffs, and household goods, etc.
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Okura Art China
The corporate website of Japan’s foremost manufacturer of luxury western tableware.. Introduces Okura company stores and mail-order operations, cultural activities and scheduled events, etc.
