Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings – Shimizu Corporation

About Tokyo Mokkoujou

History of Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings

1884-1926 (Meiji-Taisho periods)

Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (then Fukagawa Works) during the Taisho Period (1912-1926)
Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (then Fukagawa Works) during the Taisho Period (1912-1926)

The history of Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings traces back to 1884, more than 130 years ago. The facility opened when Shimizu Gumi (now Shimizu Corporation) acquired the former site of the Shogunate’s official lumber supplier in Fukagawa-Shimadacho (now Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo) and began using it for lumber processing.

It was later renamed Fukagawa Works and equipped with saws, woodworking equipment, and other machinery to meet growing demand from the construction industry. When the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, Fukagawa Works contributed to the reconstruction of Tokyo as a lumber collection point.

1884

Opened at Fukagawa-Shimadacho (now Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo) as a lumber processing facility of Shimizu Gumi

1896

Installed steam-powered saw machinery to meet demand for lumber at various construction sites

1909

Installed more saw machinery and fitting machinery and renamed Fukagawa Works

1923

When the Great Kanto Earthquake, Fukagawa Works contributed to the reconstruction of Tokyo as a lumber collection point.
Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (then Fukagawa Works) during the Taisho Period (1912-1926)
Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (then Fukagawa Works) during the Taisho Period (1912-1926)

The history of Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings traces back to 1884, more than 130 years ago. The facility opened when Shimizu Gumi (now Shimizu Corporation) acquired the former site of the Shogunate’s official lumber supplier in Fukagawa-Shimadacho (now Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo) and began using it for lumber processing.

It was later renamed Fukagawa Works and equipped with saws, woodworking equipment, and other machinery to meet growing demand from the construction industry. When the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, Fukagawa Works contributed to the reconstruction of Tokyo as a lumber collection point.

1884

Opened at Fukagawa-Shimadacho (now Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo) as a lumber processing facility of Shimizu Gumi

1896

Installed steam-powered saw machinery to meet demand for lumber at various construction sites

1909

Installed more saw machinery and fitting machinery and renamed Fukagawa Works

1923

When the Great Kanto Earthquake, Fukagawa Works contributed to the reconstruction of Tokyo as a lumber collection point.

1926-1989 (Showa Period)

Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (outlined in white dotted line) in 1974. Metropolitan Expressway No. 9, then under construction, is visible to the left.
Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (outlined in white dotted line) in 1974. Metropolitan Expressway No. 9, then under construction, is visible to the left.

In 1945, the facility was quickly rebuilt after it was destroyed during World WarⅡ. Tokyo Mokkoujou helped procuring lumbers needed for postwar reconstruction while it continued to expand its plant facilities. In 1955, Tokyo Mokkoujou installed long hot presses, high-frequency equipment and other types of woodworking equipment and installed constant temperature and humidity plant. These efforts improved the quality of its wood products and expanded operating capacity. In 1962, Shimizu renamed the facility Tokyo Mokkoujou and built Plant No. 4 to meet the growing demand for wood construction and installed multilevel hot presses. The new plant also launched and mass production of flush doors for the first time that is significantly expanded plant capacity. In 1979, Tokyo Mokkoujou adopted a total quality control (TQC) program, Shimizu’s company-wide initiatives, and began organizational reforms to further improve quality.

The kenjaku (measuring) ceremony in 1970. This ceremony has been performed as a Shinto ritual since 1969 and continues to this day in simplified form. It commemorates the ancient tradition of welcoming the New Year by landing a raw log from the river behind the plant and starting up the woodworking machinery to make measuring sticks. This ceremony reminds us of our mission to pass on traditional woodworking techniques to future generations.
The kenjaku (measuring) ceremony in 1970. This ceremony has been performed as a Shinto ritual since 1969 and continues to this day in simplified form. It commemorates the ancient tradition of welcoming the New Year by landing a raw log from the river behind the plant and starting up the woodworking machinery to make measuring sticks. This ceremony reminds us of our mission to pass on traditional woodworking techniques to future generations.

1945

Rebuilt after World WarⅡand expanded its factory facilities while cooperating in procuring materials necessary for the reconstruction of Japan.

1952

Veneering begins with the development of new woodworking technology

1955

New fitting plant opened to improve the quality of fitting and increase capacity. Installed new hot press and began produce of high-end decorative plywood with veneer sheets.

1956

New high-frequency bonding equipment installed to form wood materials

1962

Facility renamed Tokyo Mokkoujou and new Plant No. 4 built to meet growing demand for lumber processing. New multilevel hot presses installed in response to rapid growth in plywood processing and began mass production of flush doors.

1967

New Plant No. 3 built
Capabilities of the new long hot press demonstrated in construction on the Imperial Palace

1969

Shimizu develops fire-resistant, high-end decorative plywood with natural veneer sheets(” SHIMIZ high-end decorative plywood”) and acquires certification by the Minister of Construction

1979

Total quality control (TQC) system, Shimizu’s company-wide initiatives, adopted

1983

Tokyo Mokkoujou earns certification from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as a plant demonstrating outstanding quality control in the production of factory-produced houses and other products
Shimizu is awarded the Deming Prize for implementation of a total quality control (TQC) system

1988

Shimizu receives outstanding safety award from the Minister of Labor
Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (outlined in white dotted line) in 1974. Metropolitan Expressway No. 9, then under construction, is visible to the left.
Tokyo Mokkoujou Arts & Crafts Furnishings (outlined in white dotted line) in 1974. Metropolitan Expressway No. 9, then under construction, is visible to the left.

In 1945, the facility was quickly rebuilt after it was destroyed during World WarⅡ. Tokyo Mokkoujou helped procuring lumbers needed for postwar reconstruction while it continued to expand its plant facilities. In 1955, Tokyo Mokkoujou installed long hot presses, high-frequency equipment and other types of woodworking equipment and installed constant temperature and humidity plant. These efforts improved the quality of its wood products and expanded operating capacity. In 1962, Shimizu renamed the facility Tokyo Mokkoujou and built Plant No. 4 to meet the growing demand for wood construction and installed multilevel hot presses. The new plant also launched and mass production of flush doors for the first time that is significantly expanded plant capacity. In 1979, Tokyo Mokkoujou adopted a total quality control (TQC) program, Shimizu’s company-wide initiatives, and began organizational reforms to further improve quality.

The kenjaku (measuring) ceremony in 1970. This ceremony has been performed as a Shinto ritual since 1969 and continues to this day in simplified form. It commemorates the ancient tradition of welcoming the New Year by landing a raw log from the river behind the plant and starting up the woodworking machinery to make measuring sticks. This ceremony reminds us of our mission to pass on traditional woodworking techniques to future generations.
The kenjaku (measuring) ceremony in 1970. This ceremony has been performed as a Shinto ritual since 1969 and continues to this day in simplified form. It commemorates the ancient tradition of welcoming the New Year by landing a raw log from the river behind the plant and starting up the woodworking machinery to make measuring sticks. This ceremony reminds us of our mission to pass on traditional woodworking techniques to future generations.

1945

Rebuilt after World WarⅡand expanded its factory facilities while cooperating in procuring materials necessary for the reconstruction of Japan.

1952

Veneering begins with the development of new woodworking technology

1955

New fitting plant opened to improve the quality of fitting and increase capacity. Installed new hot press and began produce of high-end decorative plywood with veneer sheets.

1956

New high-frequency bonding equipment installed to form wood materials

1962

Facility renamed Tokyo Mokkoujou and new Plant No. 4 built to meet growing demand for lumber processing. New multilevel hot presses installed in response to rapid growth in plywood processing and began mass production of flush doors.

1967

New Plant No. 3 built
Capabilities of the new long hot press demonstrated in construction on the Imperial Palace

1969

Shimizu develops fire-resistant, high-end decorative plywood with natural veneer sheets(” SHIMIZ high-end decorative plywood”) and acquires certification by the Minister of Construction

1979

Total quality control (TQC) system, Shimizu’s company-wide initiatives, adopted

1983

Tokyo Mokkoujou earns certification from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as a plant demonstrating outstanding quality control in the production of factory-produced houses and other products
Shimizu is awarded the Deming Prize for implementation of a total quality control (TQC) system

1988

Shimizu receives outstanding safety award from the Minister of Labor

1989 through the Present (Heisei-Reiwa Period)

“Five Tables” won merit award at IPEC 2010(Interior Pro EX CO 2010).
“Five Tables” won merit award at IPEC 2010(Interior Pro EX CO 2010).

Employees, consisting mainly of the young employees, have participated actively in competitions to further improve their technical skills since 1997. Tokyo Mokkoujou’s woodworking techniques have won awards in a wide range of competitions, including the Skills Grand Prix, a national competition among holders of first grade certification under the National Trade Skill Testing and Certification. (See “Awards” for more information)

1992

Full-scale adoption of CAD system to streamline design operations

1994

Awarded longest record of no accident by industry (3,317,714 hours)

1996

Earned ISO 9001 certification from the Japan Testing Center for Construction Materials

1997

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Labour Prize in the Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

2003

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

2004

Awarded gold medal in the 42nd National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

2005

Awarded Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the 23rd Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

Competed in the WorldSkills Competition, in the Furniture Professions category

2008

Awarded gold medal in the 45th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

2009

Awarded gold medal in the 47th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

2010

Awarded gold medal in the 48th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

Received merit award at Interior Pro Ex Co (IPEC) 2010

2011

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the 26th Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

Two employees awarded silver medals in the 49th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

Installed NC router and door jamb machinery

2012

Opened Showroom

2013

Installed laser wood cutting machine

2014

Installed new sawdust collection system

2015

Installed second laser wood cutting machine

2018

Installed second NC router

2020

Registered Company of The Act on Promotion of Use and Distribution of Legally-harvested Wood and Wood Products（the Clean Wood Act）

2021

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the 31th Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

“Five Tables” won merit award at IPEC 2010(Interior Pro EX CO 2010).
“Five Tables” won merit award at IPEC 2010(Interior Pro EX CO 2010).

Employees, consisting mainly of the young employees, have participated actively in competitions to further improve their technical skills since 1997. Tokyo Mokkoujou’s woodworking techniques have won awards in a wide range of competitions, including the Skills Grand Prix, a national competition among holders of first grade certification under the National Trade Skill Testing and Certification. (See “Awards” for more information)

1992

Full-scale adoption of CAD system to streamline design operations

1994

Awarded longest record of no accident by industry (3,317,714 hours)

1996

Earned ISO 9001 certification from the Japan Testing Center for Construction Materials

1997

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Labour Prize in the Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

2003

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

2004

Awarded gold medal in the 42nd National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

2005

Awarded Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the 23rd Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

Competed in the WorldSkills Competition, in the Furniture Professions category

2008

Awarded gold medal in the 45th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

2009

Awarded gold medal in the 47th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

2010

Awarded gold medal in the 48th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

Received merit award at Interior Pro Ex Co (IPEC) 2010

2011

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the 26th Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category

Two employees awarded silver medals in the 49th National Skills Competition, Furniture Professions category

Installed NC router and door jamb machinery

2012

Opened Showroom

2013

Installed laser wood cutting machine

2014

Installed new sawdust collection system

2015

Installed second laser wood cutting machine

2018

Installed second NC router

2020

Registered Company of The Act on Promotion of Use and Distribution of Legally-harvested Wood and Wood Products（the Clean Wood Act）

2021

Awarded gold medal and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Prize in the 31th Skills Grand Prix, Furniture category