Just imagine, a company that existed even before the rise of Islam, when the world map was completely different from today, and when trade meant only the exchange of goods. In 578 AD, a foundation was laid on the soil of Japan that has proven itself the test of time, surviving civil wars and nuclear attacks, and still standing proudly 14 centuries later. Let us tell you about this company.
A Korean artisan and Japan’s first ‘sacred’ project
This is the story of Kongu Gumi, a Japanese construction company whose 41st generation continues to carry the torch of legacy lit by its ancestors nearly fifteen hundred years ago. The story begins around the seventh century, when Buddhism was taking root in Japan. Prince Shotoku Taishi wanted to build a magnificent temple that would remain a center of devotion for centuries to come. For this, he called Shigemitsu Kongu, a skilled artisan from Korea. Shigemitsu built the Shitenno-ji temple in Osaka, which remains a landmark in Japanese history. It was here that the company Kongu Gumi was born, a company that set the direction of Japanese architecture for the next 1400 years. This company didn’t just build buildings; It was writing history through wood and intricate carvings.
The company’s rules were very strict
Kongu Gumi’s greatest strength has been his “never give up” spirit. Be it the bloody wars of the Middle Ages or natural disasters, this company always survived because the need for temple repairs and construction never ended. Surprisingly, the company had made strict rules to maintain its traditions. If the eldest son of the family was not capable of running the business, a capable son-in-law was adopted and given the surname ‘Kongu’ so that the reins of the company would always be in capable hands. This is the reason why this unbroken lineage of 41 generations remains a case study for the world even today.
When tradition and modern debt collide
As times changed, technology advanced, and the dynamics of the Japanese economy changed. By 2005, Kongu Gumi’s annual turnover was in the billions, but modern competition and rising debt have shaken this 1400-year-old institution. In 2006, the company reached the brink of bankruptcy. At that time, Takamatsu Construction Group came forward as a messiah and purchased this historical legacy. Today, although Kongu Gumi is not independent, it exists as an essential division.
41st generation runs the company
Even today, the blood and culture of the Kongu family runs deep in this company. Masakazu Kongu’s daughter, the 41st generation of the lineage, continues to carry on this legacy. The company still uses age-old woodworking techniques that make buildings earthquake-resistant without nails or glue. It is not just a construction company, but it is proof that with passion for work and depth of art, even a small startup can last for 1400 years.