The Life of Zenpachi

Watermill era (hometown: Sano, Tochigi Prefecture)

Zenpachi was born in Ueno Village, Tochigi Prefecture (now Sano City), in the Funatsu River, a triangular area between the Watarase River and its tributary, the Akiyama River. The Fujikura family owned a large amount of farmland, but due to frequent floods, the harvest decreased year by year. His father, Kumakichi, sales timber and worked in the shipping business in addition to farming, but the family fortunes did not improve.
Zenpachi eventually started a rice milling business using a waterwheel in "Numabata", but the business was not as profitable as it was prosperous, and he was hit by disasters. Zenpachi made up his mind, and when the contract for the waterwheel rights expired, he moved to Tokyo in search of a new life. It was 1875 (Meiji 8), and Zenpachi was 33 years old.

Moving to Tokyo - Founding

Since his arrival in Tokyo in 1875 (Meiji 8), Zenpachi's life has been a series of struggles. The steam engine purchased with the intention of using steam power in the rice milling industry was defect, and the lawsuit took three years, and business failed. The next few business didn't work either.
In 1881 (Meiji 14), he moved to 1-1 Kanda-Awaji-cho, which brought him good luck. Zenpachi's wife, Ine, receives instruction from a craftsman in a neighboring house to help the family and begins to make "nekake" as a handmaiden. Eventually, it became the work of the Zenpachi family. At first, one braiding machine was operated by his wife Ine from morning until 10 o'clock at night, and then Zenpachi ran it all night and handed it over to Ine the next morning. After that, the number of craftsmen increased, and the rented house on 2-chome was used as a factory, and it was operated day and night.
In 1884 (Meiji 17), Zenpachi devised a round-shaped netkake. The new product was named "Ichikawa Kake" and asked Danjuro Ichikawa, the ninth generation of famous kabuki actors at the time, to scatter hundreds of them every day in the audience. It became popular, and orders flooded in from all over the country. And the profits became the financial background for Zenpachi's Electric Wire business.

Electric Wire manufacturing- Eyes Gazing at the Arc Lamp -

"Kaku Shrine"- Fujikura's guardian deity -

フジクラは賀来神社を会社の守護神としている。その縁起であるが、善八が住んだ神田淡路町1丁目には、かつて大給（おぎう）邸があり、賀来神社が祭ってあった。それが1872年（明治5）に本郷の別邸に移され、御神木の珊瑚樹は付近に住む鳶頭某がもらい受けた。
善八は、賀来神社を深く崇敬するようになり、また、神田淡路町は発祥の地でもあったので分祀を願い出て、フジクラの守護神としたのである。同時に珊瑚樹も譲り受け、千駄ヶ谷工場へ装飾した牛車で運び、御神木とした。

The history of Fujikura begins

フジクラの歴史は、わが国電線事業が夜明けを迎えつつあった1885年（明治18）2月、創業者である藤倉善八が絹・綿巻線の製造に乗り出したときに始まる。故郷栃木県植野村（現 佐野市）船津川で農業の傍ら水車を使った精米業をやっていたが、1875年（明治8）東京へ進出し神田明神下に居を定める。善八33歳である。神田淡路町1丁目1番地へ転居を機として、妻いねが始めた内職から、1881年（明治14）「根掛け」の製造を始めた。善八は元来企業心に富み、進歩進取の人であったので、創意工夫で「根掛け」は全国から注文が殺到、その後10年間盛況が続いた。
東京の庶民が電燈を見たのは、1882年（明治15）に銀座で第1回デモンストレーションが行われた時である。翌1883年（明治16）11月に2回目が日本橋通りで行われ、記録的な見物人を集めた。その大群衆の中に藤倉善八と上京したばかりの16歳の弟留吉がいた。善八はこの夜の体験をきっかけに電気に興味を抱き、その後根掛けと電線被覆の編組技術が似ていることから電線事業に乗り出すのである。

Tomekichi Fujikura (later the first president) travels to the United States

1883年（明治16）に上京。兄善八の家に落ち着き、漢学、英語の学校に通う傍ら、繁忙な工場を手伝う。1886年（明治19）7月、海外の新文化を学びたいとの堅い決意で米国に出発、留吉19歳である。米国では昼は働き、夜は英語を学んだ。1890年（明治23）7月に帰国した。1890年（明治23）松本家の養子となる。

Kanda Awajicho Factory

In February 1885 (Meiji 18), they started manufacturing silk and cotton-wrapped wire at 1-1 Awajicho, Kanda. They had 12 employees, including Fujikura Zenpachi, his wife Ine, and Fujikura (later Nakauchi) Harukichi. Their home and factory had three rooms (10, 8, and 6 tatami mats), of which the factory section was a 10-tatami mat room with wooden flooring, which was later expanded to three rooms. They also rented a house in 2-chome, which they called the "2-chome Factory." The braiding machines were operated by hand, so one person was assigned to each machine.
Soon the factory became busy and was operating day and night. The equipment consisted of one large wooden braiding machine measuring 60cm square, and five small iron braiding machines. manufacturing silk and cotton-wrapped cords, roots, and cords for haori.

Shinjuku Factory

1888年（明治21）4月、宮内省御料地内（新宿御苑）の製糸場を借り受け新宿工場を開設。玉川上水から引く小川に水車があり、その動力を使う。工場は水車の両側に2棟の木造、瓦葺き、レンガ敷きの建物（15m×32m）であった。設備は組紐機械8台、電線編組機20台、従業員は5～6名。東京線、パラフィン線ランプコードの製造を始める。ゴム線の研究を開始する。

Sendagaya Factory

千駄ヶ谷工場①

In September 1890 (Meiji 23), the company purchased land owned by the Kishu Tokugawa family at 900 Sendagaya and built a new factory. There was also a waterwheel that used the Tamagawa Aqueduct, and it was larger and more powerful. The waterwheel powered rubber rollers, and manufacturing of rubber wire began. At the time, there were no domestically produced rubber wires, and expensive foreign products were the only ones used. It was said that "he who controls rubber controls electric wires," and the perfection of rubber-coated wires was the long-cherished wish of electric wire companies. The factory site was 330 sq. m, and the waterwheel was 5.4 m in size.

千駄ヶ谷工場②

善八はゴム線の量産を急がねばならなかったが、ゴム量産のための蒸気機関をもっていなかった。幸運なことに同じ番地内に、蒸気機関があり、馬力の強い水車もついていた事業不振で休業中の製糸工場があった。工場敷地995坪と当時としては大きすぎる規模であったが、善八は将来を見越して買収を決意した。 これでゴム線の総ての工程を一工場内で行うことが可能となり、その製造能力は飛躍的に増加した。主力製品は、東京線、パラフィン線で、ゴム被覆線は品質改良で苦闘時代にあった。翌月の7月、善八の甥の岡田顕三をゴム被覆線の技術習得の目的で渡米させた。1900年（明治33）8月、帰国した岡田顕三は、技術面でもっとも重要な役目を果たすのである。1901年（明治34）「藤倉電線護謨合名会社」設立。1910年（明治43年）には電線事業の規模拡大の必要性から新社名「藤倉電線株式会社」となった。

Tomekichi Matsumoto, first president

Born on November 28, 1868 (Meiji era) in Ueno Village, Tochigi Prefecture (now Sano City) Funatsu River. He is the youngest brother of the founder, Zenpachi Fujikura. In 1890 (Meiji 23), after returning from the United States, he inherited the "Matsumoto family" and ran a Western-style furniture store in Yokohama, while moving to Tokyo to help his brother Zenpachi in research on rubber-coated wires. Later, Zenpachi asks Rukichi to devote himself to the business of electric wires. In May 1901 (Meiji 34), Ruyoshi disposed of the Western-style furniture store, accepted Zenpachi's request, and moved to Tokyo. In October of that year, Zenpachi died. As his successor, Ruyoshi made Zenpachi's private company a company organization, and on October 25, 1901 (Meiji 34), he established the Fujikura Electric Wire Protection Partnership Company and became its representative Fujikura employee. Thanks to Ruyoshi's energetic efforts after that, the electric wire business continued to develop, and the "Fujikura of technology" was established. On March 18, 1910 (Meiji 43), the electric wire business was separated due to the need to expand the electric wire business, and Fujikura Electric Wire Co., Ltd. was born. Ruyoshi is 43 years old. In 1903 (Meiji 36), the factory was completely destroyed by a whirlwind, and in 1923 (Taisho 12), the Fukagawa factory was burned down by the Great Kanto Earthquake. In 1938 (Showa 13), there were 45 companies related to President Matsumoto Rukichi. On March 24, 1938 (Showa 13), Rukichi Matsumoto died, aged 71.

The four people who supported President Tomekichi Matsumoto

Fukagawa factory burned down

On September 1, 1923 (Taisho 12), the Great Kanto Earthquake struck the newly completed Fukagawa Factory. The damage was minor, with only the chimney being broken, but that night a fire broke out in Susaki Bentencho and spread, completely burning down the Fukagawa Factory.

Fukagawa Factory Renovation

President Matsumoto Tomekichi responded quickly. Using the facilities of the undamaged Sendagaya Factory, the company was able to quickly restore operations, with three machine tools up and running by the second day. Electric wires in stock were sold like hotcakes as emergency supplies, raising funds for the restoration.

Shinta Matsumoto, 2nd President

In March 1938 (Showa 13), upon the death of President Tomekichi Matsumoto, his eldest son, Shinta Matsumoto, became the second president. Soon after assuming his position, the new president established Fujikura Chemical Industries (now Fujikura Kasei) and Fujikura Aviation Industries (now Fujikura Air Equipment), while also making many improvements to employee welfare. He was generous in his support and understanding of the cultural and physical education activities of his employees. He especially loved baseball, and led the baseball team he founded to evolve from amateur baseball and win the 12th (1938) and 13th (1939) Intercity Baseball Tournament. This was also a time when the shadow of war was growing stronger.
On March 10, 1945 (Showa 20), as Japan was losing the war, the Fukagawa Factory was completely destroyed in the Great Tokyo Air Raid, resulting in many casualties. After that, President Shinta resumed production in September, despite the severe shortage of copper and other materials, and achieved postwar reconstruction.

Baseball club launched

It was created in 1923 (Taisho 12) by President Arata Matsumoto, who was then General Affairs Manager. The newly created uniform was burned in the earthquake.
In 1925 (Taisho 14), a field was built next to the factory. Practices were held from 4:00 p.m. after work, and games were only held on holidays.

Intercity Baseball Championship

As a representative of Tokyo City, the team won the 12th tournament in 1938 (Showa 13) thanks to pitcher Doi's outstanding performance. The following year, the team participated in the 13th tournament and won consecutive championships thanks to pitcher Yoshida's excellent pitching. This period was the golden age of the baseball team.

Numazu Factory (Numazu, Shizuoka)

1944年（昭和19）に戦争疎開工場として創設した富士工場は東京大空襲で焼失した深川工場から、焼け残りの機械を移設し、ゴム線工場として稼動していた。しかし、もともとは製紙工場を借用していたので、電線工場としてはレイアウト・効率の両面で問題が少なくなかった。そこで富士工場を沼津に移転させ1953年（昭和28）7月より沼津工場として操業を開始した。当初の製品は裸銅線・アルミ線・ゴム絶縁線・プラスチック線等であった。沼津工場から、事業基盤を支え続ける数々の技術や製品が生まれていくのである。

Sakura Factory (Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture)

深川・沼津工場に次ぐ第3の工場を思い立ったのは岩戸景気さなかの1960年（昭和35）である。品種の広がりや受注増加に勢いがあり、これに対応するための近代的な工場の建設が急務となった。1964年（昭和39）に試運転が始まり、翌1965年（昭和40）から本格稼動した佐倉工場は高度経済成長の中、通信ケーブルを主体とした近代的な工場として急成長を遂げる。その後も勢いを増した佐倉工場は、光ファイバの量産、FPC（フレキシブルプリント基板）や電子ワイヤの量産、光ファイバ融着接続機の開発製造も加わり、フジクラの屋台骨を支える存在になるのである。

Suzuka Factory (Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture)

1965年（昭和40）からのイザナギ景気を背景とする電力需要の急増に対応するため、電力CVケーブル生産専用の工場建設を計画していた。ちょうどその時期、工場誘致に熱心であった三重県鈴鹿市からの交渉を受け、1970年（昭和45）に第4の工場となる鈴鹿工場を建設した。製造設備は当時最高レベルのものを導入し、先進のCVケーブル工場であった。鈴鹿工場は操業早々から大型受注が相次ぎ、フル回転操業が続いた。フジクラの電力事業を支える一大拠点として急成長を遂げたのである。

Head Office Kasumigaseki Building

1968年（昭和43）4月に日本最初の超高層ビルである霞が関ビル（地上36階、地下3階）が完成した。藤倉電線も霞が関ビルへの本社事務所移転を決定し、同ビル11階で業務を開始した。

Oil Crisis and Low Growth

1973年（昭和48）10月、第4次中東戦争が勃発。アラブ産油国は日本を含む非友好国には石油供給を削減する。その後の狂乱物価は沈静化したが、景気は落ち込み、電線業界にも大きな影響を与えた。原材料難と価格暴落、電力使用制限など生産環境が激変し、電線需要も急減した。木野新社長は1974年（昭和49）年頭に非常事態宣言を行い、経費節減などの対策を示した。藤倉電線も輸出拡大を図る一方、電線周辺での事業拡大を図るために「機器電材」「海外」の2事業部を新設した。

Gotanda Fujikura Building

1977年（昭和52）10月、本社事務所を霞が関ビルから五反田藤倉ビル（地上9階、地下1階）に移転した。当初は貸しビル用としての建築であったが、折からの不況により、期待していたテナントが見つからず、自社の本社事務所として使用することとなった。

Optical Fiber development

1970年（昭和45）から光ファイバの取り組みを進めていたフジクラは、1975年（昭和50）より電電公社と共同開発を行い、1976年（昭和51）にはMCVD法により極低損失ファイバを開発し、長波長側に超低損失領域があることを発見（IEEEの論文賞受賞）した。また、1980年（昭和55年）には極低OHファイバを国産自主技術であるVAD法により世界に先駆け開発をし、その広い低損失領域の実現により、現在の波長多重通信へとつながった。

Fujikura Thailand Co., Ltd. established

1984年（昭和59）8月、タイ王国にフジクラタイランド社を設立した。フジクラタイランド社はタイ王国現地法人の第一号の会社である。翌1985年（昭和60）のプラザ合意による円高基調の追い風と外資中心の投資ブームの波に乗り、メリットを享受した。また、電子材料や光関連部品への生産シフトで急成長を遂げ、現在に至るまで、タイ王国におけるフジクラグループの中心的な存在である。

100th Anniversary business

創業100周年を機に、電線にとらわれない企業イメージを作ろうと新呼称「フジクラ」を採用し、新社章を制定した。そのほかに100年史「フジクラ100年の歩み」の刊行、新基本方針の制定を行う。

New Fukagawa head office building completed

In 1990, the head office building was completed. The head office was consolidated in Fukagawa, and a system was established whereby sales, technology, head office functions, etc. could be integrated to carry out business operations.

Company name change

1992年（平成4）10月1日、藤倉電線から株式会社フジクラへと社名変更を行った。長年にわたり電線一辺倒であった藤倉電線も、電子材料や光システムといった新規事業分野に進出し、電線メーカから脱皮を遂げつつあった。こうした状況下にあって、電線事業の強化を図る一方、新規分野の進出に積極的に取り組み、電線にとらわれない企業イメージをアピールした新たなフジクラの出発である。

Futtsu Factory (Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture)

In October 1992, the Futtsu Factory was constructed as a new base for manufacturing and development of power cables to replace the Fukagawa Factory, and began operations on the same day as the company name was changed. As power cables continue to become increasingly high voltage, large capacity, and long, the Futtsu Factory is a cutting-edge factory built to fully meet user needs as a manufacturing base for world-class ultra-high voltage CV cables, OF cables, and submarine cables.

The complex city "Fukagawa Gatharia" is born

The former Fukagawa factory site was redeveloped, and a new city called Fukagawa Gatharia was born in 2000. The historic area of Fukagawa is being redeveloped to create a vibrant town, with a complex that combines three functions: business, shopping, and amenities.

Fujikura to become a top global brand

We supplied Optical Fiber to the world, and our Fusion Splicer became the world's top brand. We also expanded into the electronics and electrical equipment field around the world, and our corporate structure changed from "Fujikura of Japan" to "Fujikura of the World."

120th anniversary since founding

The company celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2005. It establishment a new Corporate Philosophy, "MVCV (Mission, Vision, Core Values)."
A picture book titled "Flying Elephant" was produced as part of the commemorative business, and the company is using the book to communicate its new Corporate Philosophy to Fujikura employee.