Suzuki Kosaku
| Birth Place | Shirowa-cho |
|---|---|
| Birth | September 2, 1855 |
| Death | July 27, 1930 |
Overview
Suzuki Kosaku led the success of Yamaya, a soy sauce manufacturer in Hamamatsu.
Biography
He paid up all his debts by 1893. The First Sino-Japanese War occurred in the next year increased the demand for soy sauces. He was committed to his work to accomplish his goals, which were to be stockholder of a company, to own rice paddies, and to own mountain forests. His effort was rewarded by the growth of Yamaya. The company became the representative soy sauce maker. As the association of soy sauce manufacture of Shizuoka was established in 1900, he was appointed to be the director of the association in the western region of the prefecture. In 1907, Nihon Gakki (present Yamaha) welcomed him as an auditor. He was also chosen to be the president of Hamamatsu Itaku Kaisha. Furthermore, he undertook the afforestation projects in Tatsuyama and Misakubo. In 1911, he was elected as a member of the city council.
He changed his name to Gorosaku at age 70 in 1924. As the part of his 70-year-old celebration, or koki, he donated 10,000 yen to the city. The city bought pencils to elementary school students every year with the interest earned with the donation. People called the pencils "Gorosaku Enpitsu", literally pencil of Gorosaku. In 1926, he earned the Medal of Honor with Dark Blue Ribbon.
He passed away in July 27, 1930. The funeral was held at the Horinji Temple. The Hozoji Temple enshrined him.
Personality
He worked harder than his employees.
He was 173 cm tall and weighed 64 kg.
He never saw kabuki acts after the priest of the Hozoji Temple reproached him for watching an act in 1896.
The first cars in Hamamatsu were owned by Nakamura Jinshichi, Takabayashi Hyoe, and Kosaku. However, he stopped using the car soon because of an accident.
He said, "It's better to be a good listener than a good talker."
He didn't like to drink and smoke.
He respected the family of Nakamura Tokichi as the teacher of business, and was grateful for their help.
Reference
"Enshū Ijinden Daiikkan" (Stories of Great Figures of Enshū vol.1)