Founder Stories
Founder Stories
The Life of Gonshiro Kubota
Success at the domestic production of cast iron pipes for waterworks, something that had been though an almost impossible task
What can be done for the country?
In the early years of the Meiji period (from 1868), the new systems, branches of learning, and other aspects of culture that came flowing into the country from various foreign lands triggered Japan’s Westernization movement. However, the problem of infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever and smallpox also arose. The government advocated the use of waterworks to counter the water-borne infectious diseases, and facilities were introduced in turn in all the cities where contact with foreign countries was common, starting in Yokohama and then in Hakodate, Nagasaki, Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo, etc.
In Japan at the time, there were several companies which set out to produce cast iron pipes for the waterworks but, without exception, a lack of technology meant that they ended in failure. As a result, Japan was forced to rely on imports from overseas.
As this was ongoing, Gonshiro realized that cast iron piping for waterworks was an industry in the national interest, and began development work in 1893.
Fumbling to solve a challenge
He set about the iron pipe manufacturing with the belief that anything that foreigners could do could also be done by the Japanese, but there were difficulties far greater than he had ever imagined in front of him.
It seems easy to make a cast iron pipe that is a simple cylinder. However, in reality, as the pipes were made longer, variations in the thickness, etc., appeared and he could not make it a success. Furthermore, he had no help from literature or veterans, and could only keep fumbling for solutions as he gradually made improvements.
The craftsmen that had been cooperating with Gonshiro at first gradually began to express their discontent. However, Gonshiro kept his conviction and never gave up on the development work.
A ground-breaking invention and the death of his wife
The first time Gonshiro saw success from his efforts to develop iron piping was in 1897, with his development of the jointed-type oblique-blow casting method. This enabled him to produce straight pipes with 3- to 4-inch apertures. In 1900, he went on to develop the vertical round-blow casting method, which made it possible to produce iron pipes without joints.
In 1904, he finally developed his vertical-blow rotary-type casting equipment, which made the mass production of iron pipes a possibility.
However, in January 1904, just as Gonshiro was absorbing himself in iron pipe manufacturing, San, the wife who had followed him through hard times passed away at the young age of 31.
At first Gonshiro just cried at her pillow side, but then he directed the sadness into his work, and went on to achieve a ground-breaking invention.
The birth of the “cast iron pipe manufacturer Kubota”
The stream of inventions made a solid base for the manufacturing of iron piping, and the business rapidly expanded. The pipes were used for waterworks in various places, and they were also used in large amounts for gas piping. An expansion of the production system became essential.
The construction of a new plant was therefore started in Funade-cho, Minami-ku, Osaka (currently Shikitsu-higashi, Naniwa-ku). In 1908, a state-of-the-art plant dedicated to iron pipe production was completed, with the various facilities placed in an assembly line arrangement in the plant space, which covered 12,500 m2. The large-scale plant, which completely swept away the conventional image of backstreet workshops, started with 300 personnel, and exceeded 500 in the following year. The “cast iron pipe manufacturer Kubota” became widely known at this time.
After recording 5,000 tons of iron pipe production in 1908, the company continued to expand dramatically, and achieved 40,000 tons in 1912. It had grown to account for roughly 60% of national production.
Words of the founder
First, we must be beside ourselves and dive into the work at hand. If we can go about our work with enthusiasm and enjoyment, difficulties will disappear, and work itself will become more compelling. Performance will increase, techniques will develop, and innovations will follow.
When the decision was made to begin production of iron water pipes, the lack in Japan of expertise and material on the matter left those involved at a loss. Iron pipes needed to be of a uniform thickness to deal with water pressure. Complications led numerous competing companies to back out, but Gonshiro persisted, and went about researching the issue himself. The passion and tenacity he displayed was unchanged from his time as an apprentice. Spurring him on was the joy of seeing his efforts pay off, and the fun that came with the challenge of testing new mechanisms and ideas. This inquisitive spirit and sheer concentration, like that of an athlete in training, led to one development or invention after another.
Words of the founder
I was convinced that anything could be done with a little effort. Enthusiasm is a powerful concept, and indeed, working nonstop to achieve something can really make it happen. With a mindset like this, anything can be done. I learned a great deal from my work.
Gonshiro explains that a firm belief that something can be achieved will lead to success, while anything else will lead to failure. If one goes about a task with little confidence that it will succeed, then that task becomes impossible. A strong conviction eliminates worry, boredom, discontent, despair, and other negative thoughts, and enables the individual to overcome any hurdle. The water pipe business began as an unknown. Later, however, the techniques it developed would go on to astonish leading international pipe engineers. At the core of this success was Gonshiro’s conviction and effort.
Entrepreneur Story Top Play