Hamamatsu Information Book

Nakamura Tōkichi was a significant figure in Hamamatsu’s economy who built great fortune during Meiji period following the philosophy of Hōtoku, which preaches that one will be requited for his good deeds. It is believed that he was the richest man in Hamamatsu.

 

He was the sixth Tōkichi of the family. Although his ancestors were originally farmers, they started a merchant business when Ieyasu came to Hamamatsu in 1569. The name of the shop, Bō-ya (literally shop of poles), was set because it sold yokes and panniers. Tōkichi I branched out from the family in 1785. The father of Tōkichi IV built an ootorii (giant Shinto gateway) at Akiha Shrine for his strong faith in Hōtoku and Akiha Shrine Belief

 

1854	Tōkichi VI was born in Ta-machi. As a child he was competitive and monomaniacal. The parents brought him up to take over the family business instead of his dead brother.
1873	He and Hanako, a daughter of the family run a liquor shop called Mabuchi Sakaya in Sakana-machi, got married.
1879	He was elected as a councilor of Hamamatsu Town.
1887	He made a road in Mt. Tonmaku, and afforested the mountain he bought.
1888	He afforested mountains in Ibira, Kawana, Miyakoda for 10 years from this year. Since the farms in Shirawaki area were often damaged by brine inflows, he planted pine trees in the beach to hold water back. In addition, he also built and repaired roads and bridges.
1892	He established a consignment distribution company and supported Yamaha Torakusu to build Nippon Gakki (Yamaha).
1893	He became a member of the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
1896	He promoted the establishment of a bank called Hamamatsu Shinyō Ginkō, and became its director. The crystal sugar manufacturer company he started grew. He founded a marketplace called Enyō Ichiba in where is now Tsunetake-cho, Higashi-ku.
1902	He became a director of a newly established bank, Sanjyūgo Ginkō.
1903	He became the chairman of the Hamamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
1907	He sat on the board of the association of Hōtoku, Dai Nippon Hotoku Sha.
1911	He became a member of the city council.
1918	He was elected as a councilor again.
1919	For the repair of the Shinkawa River, he donated 10,000 yen.
1921	He earned the Medal of Honor with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1923	He celebrated his seventieth birthday by building a monument. He donated 20,000 yen to Hamamatsu City. A brochure named “Nakamura Tōkichi Genkōroku” (Sayings of Nakamura Tōkichi) was published.
1923	He died on July 13.

 

 

His height was 158 cm, and weight was 45 kg.

As he didn’t have a child, he adopted Sawaki Tōhachi.

 “Businesses only move things around and never make profits. Thus, a merchant has to think ways to make it.”

 “Businesses always have to be something that helps people. It’s not a real business if you the only one who getting benefits from it.”

It was his great pleasure to buy a worn-out farm and make it fertile.

He drew pictures and created poems under pseudonym of Yuiraku.

 “Koto taraba taru ni makasete

　Kotorazu, tara de

　taru koso kokoro urayasu sukere” was one of his poem.

Playing Gidayū Kabuki was his hobby.

 

“Enshū Ijinden Daiikkan“(Stories of Great Figures of Enshū vol.1)