Umpei Kurata

Background

Umpei Kurata was born in 1851 in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. He was the son of Seizaemon, a poor dealer in cracknels. He helped his father till about the age of 20 when he left for Nagasaki.

Career

At Nagasaki Umpei Kurata learnt the art of manufacturing tabi (Japanese socks) and in 1872 returned home to begin its manufacture there. His business received a windfall when in 1877 he was commissioned to supply tabi to the troops during the Seinan-no-Eki (Revolt of Takamori Saigo). After that he expanded and began supplying Tsuchiya Tabi to Kyushu, Kan-sai, Korea and China.

Achievements

• Umpei Kurata was the first to mechanize methods for the mass production of tabi.

Connections

Father:

Seizaemon