Background
Isoemon Tsutsumi was born in 1843 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
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Isoemon Tsutsumi
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Career
Isoemon Tsutsumi established a soap factory and began selling it in July 1873 after he learned how to make the product from French engineer Boelle Leon when they were working for a steel company in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. The following year he undertook the manufacture of toilet soap and simultaneously prepared perfume and shampoo soap.
Achievements
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Isoemon Tsutsumi was the first to manufacture washing soap in Japan. He decided to produce soap after learning Japan was relying too much on imports, which began in the 17th century and increased dramatically in the mid-19th century, according to the Japan Soap and Detergent Association. Before soap was used, Japanese usually washed kimono and their hands with plain water, although sometimes they used ash to wash their kimono. Tsutsumi's contribution to the cosmetic industry is without parallel.
Career
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1873