Employees at the time of the opening of Utsunomiya Shouten

Usaku Utsunomiya was born on October 10th, 1882 in Iwagi, Higashiuwa District, Ehime (current day Uwacho Seiyo) as the fourth son of Gijuro Utsunomiya. After graduating from Iwagi Elementary School, he moved to Osaka on his own and began working as an apprentice at Miyoshi Shouten, a medical equipment shop located at the docks of Osaka. In 1902, he became emancipated, and after affably leaving Miyoshi Shouten, in 1903, he founded Utsunomiya Shouten at 5 chome Hiranomachi, Higashi Ward (current day 4 Chome Awajimachi Chuo Ward). He was only 20 at the time.
Initially, he intended to become a stethoscope manufacturer, during a time when the country relied on imports from Europe for most medical products, it was a difficult task to independently develop medical products, so the company's core sales came from medical-use rubber products. The product that Usaku particularly devoted himself to was the "water pillow". Utsunomiya Shouten became widely known when he developed and sold the revolutionary "framed shimegi". This invention is still used on water pillows to this day.
During the 40 years until he eventually retired as president in 1943, it can be said that the numerous patents and utility models acquired were the manifestation of Usaku's will to devote his life to research and development.
On April 8th, 1950, Usaku Utsunomiya passed away at the age of 67.

Ashiya Beach during the Early Showa Period

At the time, Utsunomiya Shouten had a boarding system and single employees were not allowed to commute to work. Not only that, after joining the company they were not allowed to return to their home for the first 4 years of employment. While this system was very strict, perhaps this was a form of parental love that Usaku had for his employees in order to cultivate an independent spirit as a tradesperson. Because Usaku had experience with the struggle of studying on his own, he placed importance on the aspirations of his young employees. He encouraged them to go to night school and even paid the monthly fee for them.
Furthermore, there was a study room in the dormitory where each person was provided their own desk with which they could study and read. During the early Showa period, a time when there was a terrible food situation, there was a dining hall in the dormitory where employees could have as much food as they wanted at meals. The company took care of its employees' health, providing single employees with three meals, and married employees with lunch. There was even a club called the "Let's Walk" club at Utsunomiya Shouten that all new employees had to join. They met once a month to go hiking, where outdoor clothing, a hunting cap, and leather shoes were provided. Moreover, in summer, they built a home by the ocean in Ashiya and with a 3-shift alternating system, they would go to swimming in the ocean two days at a time.
Perhaps Usaku, who experienced a strict apprenticeship himself, felt it was important for his young employees to lead a fun and fulfilling lifestyle.