1892
During the late 19th century and the early 20th century, there existed a general partnership company in Kobe Motomachi known as "Oiwa Shokai", founded in the year 1892, as documented in "The Imperial Commercial and Industrial Registry" published in 1933.
The visionary leader of this enterprise was OIWA UKICHI, a youthful student from Aichi Prefecture.
Recognising the business opportunities in trade at the port of Kobe, he ventured to Kobe alone to initiate his business.
The Port of Kobe, thriving as an international trade port since its opening in 1868, had become the foremost port in Japan in terms of import value by the year 1893.
Additionally, Kobe was a hub for the European route, boasting a foreign settlement and serving as the starting point for many commerce professionals, foreigners, and diplomats.
The company's operations encompassed the manufacturing, sale and export of cabin trunks, various types of bags, leather goods, and travel accessories commonly used in sea voyages.
OIWA UKICHI energetically conducted business activities, veturing to Dalian and Tianjin, China for procuring materials.
In addition, in the Iishi and Tombara villages of Shimane Prefecture, he conducted extensive explorations for Gold, Silver and Copper across an area exceeding 1,650,000 square meters.
In 1913, they expanded their repertoire to include the production of footwear.
Simultaneously immersed in the hustle of business, he found moments of leisure to indulge in his passion for capturing the scenic beauty of mystic mountains through photography.
During his moments of respite, he also enjoyed hunting expeditions accompanied by his beloved dogs, ranging as far as the Korean Peninsula.
This dual life, blending industrious enterprise with the pursuit of personal interests, characterised OIWA UKICHI's vibrant and dynamic presence during the 1910s to the 1920s.
On November 3, 1930, in tandem with the expansion of its operations, the general partnership company "Oiwa Shokai" underwent organisational restructuring and emerged as the general partnership company "Oiwa Shoten".
By this time, there were three dedicated factories in Osaka, employing hundreds of workers and engaging in the production of cabin trunks, bags, leather goods, shoed and travel accessories.
The cabin trunks manufactured by Oiwa gained notable recognition, extending their craftsmanship to include those commissioned by distinguished officers of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy.
This period marked a significant chapter in the company's history, with its growth reflected not only in its organizational evolution but also in the prestige garnered through the production of high-quality trunks and goods for prominent military figures.
In the continued expansion of its operations, on May 3, 1939, "Gomei Kaisha Oiwa Shoten" underwent liquidation and concurrently "OIWA TRUNK CO., LTD." was established.
However, as the 1940s unfolded and the War intensified, Kobe experienced over 100 air raids between January and August of 1945.
Particularly devastating was the Kobe Air Raid on March 17, which inflicted catastrophic damage on the Motomachi area of Kobe, including the complete destruction of Oiwa's facilities.
This event severely compromised the foundation of the business, affecting both the physical infrastructure and operational capacity of the company.
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1945
1968
1992
After the War ended in1945, OUE FUKUTARO, the son-in-law of OIWA UKICHI and husband to his daughter, returned from military service in the Korean Peninsula.
He later became the founder of our present-day company.
Originally from Awaji Island near Kobe, he worked as an apprentice in the OIWA's family business before being called for military service.
Immediately upon repatriation, he endeavored to revitalize OIWA TRUNK CO., which had suffered devastating setbacks due to the War.
And then, succeeding OIWA's family business, in 1948, OUE FUKUTARO took the reins of the business and rebranded it from "OIWA TRUNK CO.," to "OUE TRUNK CO.,," marking the beginning of a new chapter for the company.
His hobbies included mountain climbing, and his guiding principle was encapsulated in the word "努力" meaning "Effort" or "Endeavor".
This ethos likely played a significant role in guiding the company through the challenging post-war period of overall reconstruction.
Despite the loss of its foundational infrastructure during the air raids, he retained the essence of the original OIWA family enterprise.
With a new name but a familiar core, the company continued its operations unchanged.
It resumed the manufacturing and sales of iconic products like the Elephant-Marked cabin trunks, bags, leather goods, and handbags in the Motomachi district of Kobe.
This marked a resilient and determined effort to rebuild and carry forward the legacy of the OIWA's family business.
In the post-war period, Japan experienced rapid reconstruction, and as the country entered the mid-Showa era, overseas travel by passenger aircraft became more accessible.
With an improvement in living standards and significant shifts in lifestyle, there was a transformative change in various aspects of daily life.
This evolution extended to the realm of bags, where the focus shifted from practical utility to the aspect of fashion.
Bags were no longer just functional items, they became key fashion accessories.
Moreover, the widespread adoption of various functional materials, including nylon, became prevalent during this period.
This shift saw an increased demand for lightweight and functional bags, reflecting the changing needs and preferences of a society embracing a new era of travel and modern living.
As our company downsized trunks and cases, we concurrently expanded our product range to include a diverse array of bags such as dulles bags, attaché cases, handbags, student bags, boston bags and so on.
In addition to enhancing our traditional offerings, we adapted to trends by introducing sports-related items like bowling bags and gloves.
This approach allowed us to cater a broader spectrum of customer needs and preferences, reflecting the evolving demands of a changing society.
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TODAY
Over 100 years have passed since the inception of the business by OIWA UKICHI.
Interestingly, there are occasions when the Elephant-marked cabin trunks, once hand-crafted by OIWA & CO., or OUE TRUNK CO.,, find their way back to our company.
For instance, some of these trunks were generously donated by the descendants of customers who had commissioned made-to-order trunks over half a century ago.
Driven by sentimental value and the reluctance to part with a cherished family's keepsake, these trunks have returned to our care after embarking on long, distant journeys with their owners.
Sometimes we are surprised to know that some names of the original owners can be found in History-textbooks today.
Displayed in our shopfront windows, these Elephant-marked cabin trunks continue to gently gaze over the street of Kobe Motomachi, symbloising the enduring connection between the past and the present.
While lifestyles and values change with time, certain elements remain unchanged.
One such element is in our Elephant mark, which has been passed down continuously for over a century, from the era of OIWA.
Our company's brochure in the 1950's also encapsulates our philosophy, "Choose a bag with the eyes that pick a jewel."
Past decades of mass consumption and cataclysms notwithstanding, we have never failed to believe the true value of goods lie in cherishing quality things that last long, not in physical value itself.
This ethos has remained unaltered and likely will persist as our belief will resonate even more profoundly, gaining a renewed sense of authenticity in light of the era of sustainability to come.
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On July 1, 1968, OUE TRUNK CO., underwent incorporation and became "OUE TRUNK CO., LTD.".
OUE HIROFUMI, the son of OUE FUKUTARO, played a pivotal role in the company's evolution.
Exhorted by his father, he frequently traveled to numerous European countries, Canada, and the United States, gaining valuable insights into diverse perspectives on bags.
Mainly because those countries have longer history of leather bags.
Over time, he began direct negotiations with local companies, leading to the import and sale of luxury brand products that were rarely seen in Japan at that time.
This strategic shift allowed the company to offer a selection of luxury brand goods, a rarity in the Japanese market during that era, and his commitment to expanding the company's horizons through international engagement and market diversification.
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The timeline enters the 1990s, and in 1992, OUE FUKUTARO passed away.
His son, OUE HIROFUMI succeeded him, but tragically, just two years later in 1994, he also passed away.
Following his death, his spouse, OUE YOSHIKO, assumed the role of the company's representative.
In the subsequent year, 1995, our company, like many others, faced significant damage by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
The aftermath of the earthquake presented considerable challenges for our company, further underscoring the resilience required to navigate through such adverse cursumstances.
