20 Facts About Masuda Takashi

Baron Masuda Takashi, was a Japanese industrialist, investor, and art collector.

Masuda Takashi was a prominent entrepreneur in Meiji, Taisho and early Showa period Japan, responsible for transforming Mitsui into a zaibatsu through the creation of a general trading company, Mitsui Bussan.

Masuda Takashi established a newspaper, the Chugai Shogyo Shimpo, which was later renamed the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

Masuda Takashi's father was an official in the Tokugawa shogunate, serving as Hakodate bugyo.

Masuda Takashi's ancestors have been - for generations - employed at Sado Magistrate's Office.

Masuda Takashi's father became Hakodate bugyo, serving as a representative of the central government to the regional magistrate office.

Masuda Takashi's position involved dealing with foreigners and foreign trade as the sakoku national isolation policy ended in the Bakumatsu period.

Masuda Takashi served as an interpreter there at the age of 14.

Masuda Takashi accompanied Ikeda Nagaoki in the unsuccessful 1863 Second Japanese Embassy to Europe to negotiate the cancellation of the open-port status of Yokohama.

Masuda Takashi was inspired by Western culture so, upon his return home, he studied English at the Hepburn School.

In 1871, after the Meiji restoration, Masuda Takashi obtained a job at the Ministry of Finance through his personal connections with Inoue Kaoru.

Masuda Takashi later served as Master of the Mint, but resigned in 1873.

In 1874, Masuda Takashi established as vice president the Senshu Kaisha trading company in Tokyo with Inoue's support.

In 1876, at the age of 29, Masuda Takashi was appointed the president of Mitsui Trading Company and contributed to the development of the Mitsui zaibatsu.

Masuda Takashi negotiated with the Ministry of Industry to acquire ownership of the Miike coal mines at very favorable prices when the government decided to divest itself of industries.

In 1900, Masuda Takashi created the Taiwan Sugar Corporation, beginning Mitsui's expansion into Japanese overseas colonies.

Masuda Takashi formally retired in 1913, and devoted his energies towards the Japanese tea ceremony.

Masuda Takashi had residences in Odawara and Kamakura, where he hosted tea ceremonies.

Masuda Takashi founded one of the two most prestigious annual chakai in Japan, which - to this day - only invited economically prominent people.

Masuda Takashi died in 1938, and his grave is at the Buddhist temple of Gokoku-ji in Tokyo.