Background
Shozo was born in 1837, in Kagoshima, Japan. He was the son of Riemon. He belonged to a rich and powerful family who for generations had been purveyors to the Lords of Kagoshima.
Shozo was born in 1837, in Kagoshima, Japan. He was the son of Riemon. He belonged to a rich and powerful family who for generations had been purveyors to the Lords of Kagoshima.
He succeeded to the family estate (1856) and was then placed in charge of the clan's finances and was also appointed purveyor to serveral feudal lords at Osaka. During the Meiji Restoration (1868) he bought several modern ships and made a fortune by transporting Kagoshima products to Osaka. Was appointed vice-director of Teikoku Mail Steamship Co. and opened a new line to Loochoo Islands (1873). After the company was dissolved he established docks at Tokyo and Kobe, being assisted in this new venture by Masayoshi Matsukata and other industrialists. After the Sino-Japa- nese War (1894-95) he enlarged the docks. Soon after, anticipating stiff competition from Mitsubishi Co,, he turned over its management to Kojiro Matsukata and became adviser to Kawasaki Dockyard Co. and Kawasaki Bank.
