Company Profile
| Company Name | Sankatsu Co., Ltd. (三勝株式会社) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1894 |
| Established | 1942 |
| Representative | Hanshichi Amano (4th Generation) |
| Head Office | 3-4-7 Nihonbashi Ningyōchō, Chūō-ku, Tokyo 103-0013 |
| Phone Number | 03-3661-8859 |
History Highlights
| 1894 | First generation Hanshichi Amano founded a textile wholesaler. |
|---|---|
| 1904 | Focus shifts to Chūgata; transitions to a specialized manufacturer/wholesaler of high-grade Chūgata. Yoshigorō Shimizu (father of Kōtarō Shimizu, the Living National Treasure) is engaged as Sankatsu’s exclusive artisan to strengthen Chūgata production. |
| 1907 | Awarded the Prize of Excellence at the Tokyo Industrial Exhibition. |
| 1925 | Tie-up with Shufu no Tomo-sha magazine; launches yukata collections, creating a sensation. |
| 1926 | The second generation Hanshichi Amano assumes the name. |
| 1928 | Announces the Takarazuka Revue Star-Style Yukata collection. |
| 1929 | Announces Eba Yukata (patterns spanning the entire garment). |
| 1931 | Holds nationwide public competitions for creative yukata designs by female students and exhibitions of the winning yukata designs. |
| 1932 | Launches the Kouta Yukata series, featuring popular singers like Katsutarō Kouta and Ichimaru (including patterns inspired by songs like Tokyo Ondo, Gion Kouta, Nozaki Kouta, Tenryū Kudareba, etc.). |
| 1933 | Wins the Prize of Excellence in the Chūgata design contest sponsored by the Ōsaka Mainichi and Tōkyō Nichinichi newspapers. |
| 1935 | Creates the “Hōga Yukata” (Felicitatory Yukata) to commemorate the birth of the Crown Prince (current Emperor Emeritus), a project planned by the Tōkyō Nichinichi Shimbun (now Mainichi Shimbun). |
| 1936 | Kōtarō Shimizu succeeds his deceased father, inheriting the “Matsukichi” Nagaita Chūgata dyeing studio, continuing as Sankatsu’s exclusive artisan for two generations. |
| 1938 | Second generation Hanshichi Amano names the technique “Nagaita Honzome Chūgata” (Long-board True-dyed Chūgata). |
| 1951 | Keizaburō Shimizu, the third son of Kōtarō Shimizu, joins Sankatsu. |
| 1954 | Second generation Hanshichi Amano, as Chairman of the Tokyo Chūgata Promotion Association, proposes unifying the disparate industry names (e.g., “Chūgata,” “Kagozome”) under the term “Yukata.” The association is renamed the Tokyo Yukata Promotion Association. |
| 1955 | Exclusive artisan Kōtarō Shimizu certified as a “Living National Treasure” for Nagaita Chūgata. |
| 1958 | Holds the 50th Anniversary Exhibition nationwide. |
| 1962 | The third generation Hanshichi Amano assumes the name. |
| 1967 | Exclusive artisan Kōtarō Shimizu is awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays. |
| 1980 | Establishes ZOME (women’s clothing) and opens the Akasaka store. |
| 1988 | Sankatsu Head Office building is completed. |
| 1992 | Logistics relocated to Tokyo Bé Marche (Tokyo Distribution Center). |
| 2006 | Announces the “Reproduction of Kōtarō Shimizu’s Yukata in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Living National Treasure System” at Nihombashi Takashimaya. |
| 2007 | Launch of the original brand “Edo Hyakusen.” |
| 2011 | The third generation Hanshichi Amano establishes the secretariat for “Kimono Salone,” which he conceived, planned, and managed. |
| 2012 | Yukata Museum opens; first “Kimono Salone” held (conceived and organized by the 3rd generation Hanshichi Amano). |
| 2014 | Announces the 120th Anniversary Yukata collection. |
| 2015 | Reproduces the “Tōzai Meiyū Konomi” (Patterns favored by Eastern and Western Masters) designs. Keizaburō Shimizu begins his work as an artist and reproduces Four-sided Chūsen Yukata. Begins sales of “Fujisan Momen” (Mount Fuji Cotton), woven with Chūsen-dyed yarn at the foot of Mount Fuji. |
| 2016 | Begins a 5-year project celebrating the Tokyo Olympics, starting with the reproduction and commercialization of yukata designs from the Meiji era preserved in Ise. |
| 2017 | The third generation Hanshichi Amano establishes the secretariat for the “Casual Kimono Exhibition,” which he conceived, planned, and managed. |
| 2018 | The first “Casual Kimono Exhibition” is held. Keizaburō Shimizu produces “Chūsen x Shibori” (Pour Dyeing x Tie-dyeing) and “Chūsen x Injection” yukata. Announced the “Beauty of Japan: Vessels” and other series modeled after Ogata Kenzan. |
| 2019 | Fourth generation Hanshichi Amano succeeds the name. Keizaburō Shimizu announces the “Architecture of Japan” Kyoto Series. Announces the “Sashiko Hanten” Nue (Chimera) Series. |
| 2020 | Launches the “Roku Hyō Sokū-sai” (Six Gourds for Sound Health) brand and begins sales of yukata fabric goods, such as masks, made with artisans across Japan. |
| 2021 | Yukata Museum renamed “Sankatsu Yukata Museum” and selected as a Tokyo Tourist Information Center. Keizaburō Shimizu passes away and is designated Permanent Director of the Sankatsu Yukata Museum. The first “Kyoto Casual Kimono Exhibition” is held. The 10th “Kimono Salone” is held. The third generation Hanshichi Amano retires as Director of the “Kimono Salone” secretariat and becomes an advisor. |
| 2022 | Sankatsu Yukata Museum 10th Anniversary. Starts Yukata Upcycling Project: “One Bolt at a Time, Carefully.” |
| 2023 | The Sankatsu Yukata Museum is scheduled to be renewed and reopened. |
