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Good things last a long time

Our Story

1892

The founder of our company, Ukichi Oiwa, ventured alone to Kobe during the Meiji era.

Originally from Aichi Prefecture, he had studied as a student servant in Koishikawa, Tokyo.

However, witnessing the flourishing Kobe Port, which had opened in 1868, he recognized a business opportunity in this vibrant city.

In 1892, he established Gomei Kaisha Oiwa Shokai (GPC. Oiwa & Co.,), which would later become the predecessor of our company.

The business focused on manufacturing and selling cabin trunks for sea voyages, alongside a range of bags, leather goods, and travel accessories, which were also exported.

By 1913, the company had expanded into shoe manufacturing.

While serving as the company’s president, Ukichi Oiwa was a dynamic entrepreneur who ventured into various endeavors.

He traveled to Dalian and Tianjin to procure trading materials, conducted exploratory drilling for gold, silver, and copper on over 500,000 tsubo (more than 160 hectares) of land in Shimane Prefecture, and engaged in numerous other enterprises.

Despite his busy schedule, he found time to indulge in his hobbies, such as landscape photography and hunting expeditions in the Korean Peninsula, often accompanied by his beloved dog.

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1930

1948

1968

1992

After the end of World War II in 1945, Fukutaro Ohue, the son-in-law of Ukichi Oiwa, returned to Japan following his military service in the Korean Peninsula.

Fukutaro Ohue, who would later establish the present-day company, was originally from Awaji Island. Before his conscription, he worked as an apprentice in the Oiwa family, serving at Oiwa Kabanten.

 

An avid mountaineer, his personal motto was "Effort."

 

The war had significantly disrupted the Oiwa family’s business foundation, but Fukutaro Ohue took on the responsibility of rebuilding it.

In 1948, he rebranded the business from "OIWA TRUNK CO.," to "OUE TRUNK CO.,", marking a fresh start.

Although the company had lost much during the war, including its headquarters and factories, OUE TRUNK CO., continued the legacy of the Oiwa family.

Despite the name change, the essence of the business remained the same, focusing on the production and sale of cabin trunks, bags, leather goods, and handbags in Kobe’s Motomachi district, under the familiar Elephant logo brand.

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TODAY

Time has passed swiftly, and more than a century has elapsed since Ukichi Oiwa began his solitary venture.

Occasionally, cabin trunks crafted by OIWA & CO., or OUE TRUNK CO.,, bearing the Elephant mark, find their way back to us.

Individuals who possess trunks made to custom orders over half a century ago sometimes hesitate to dispose of the cherished heirlooms of their lineal ascendants and instead choose to donate them to us.

In this way, cabin trunks that have journeyed far and wide with their original owners return to us once more.

Some of these trunks are now displayed in our show windows, quietly observing the streets of Kobe Motomachi.

While lifestyles and values evolve with time, some things remain unchanged.

For instance, the elephant logo on our company’s emblem has been passed down from the era of Gomei Kaisha Oiwa Shokai.

Moreover, a 1961 brochure from our company features the phrase, "Choose a bag with the same care as selecting a jewel."

This reflects our enduring commitment to providing high-quality, durable products, even if they come at a higher price.

 

In today’s world, where sustainability is increasingly valued, this principle seems more relevant than ever.

Cabin Trunks gently gazing the Motomachi shipping street.

On July 1, 1968, OUE TRUNK CO., was incorporated as OUE TRUNK CO., LTD. (K.K.).

Hirofumi Ohue, the eldest son of Fukutaro Ohue, frequently traveled alone to more than a dozen countries in Europe, as well as to Canada and the United States, beginning in his university years, encouraged by his father.

 

During these travels, he absorbed various cultures and values, seeking opportunities to expand the business.

 

Eventually, he began to engage in direct negotiations with local companies, leading the firm to import and sell luxury brand products from Europe directly.

The company also acted as an intermediary for importing goods for Japanese trading firms.

While these brand products are now widely available, at that time, they were scarcely distributed in Japan.