— A Story of Two Brothers Working Side by Side
This article introduces an episode that vividly illustrates the character of Toyo Morimura, the younger brother who supported the Morimura conglomerate, and his relationship with his elder brother, Ichizaemon Morimura.
Though Toyo appeared at first glance to be a stern, work-focused businessman, he was in fact remarkably flexible. He observed people closely, understood their strengths, and knew how to place them where they could thrive—an ability that defined his management style.
No English, No Accounting—Yet the Best Salesman
As the New York shop began to grow, Toyo sent a request to his brother in Japan:
“Please send me an assistant who can speak English and keep the books.”
Even by modern standards, finding someone fluent in English and capable of handling accounting is no easy task. In the early Meiji period, the challenge was far greater. Ichizaemon reportedly struggled, thinking, “Such a convenient person simply doesn’t exist.”
That was when Yasukata Murai entered the story.
A graduate of Keio Gijuku, Murai was connected to the Morimura family through an introduction by Yukichi Fukuzawa, and he was dispatched to New York.
But when Murai finally met Toyo in person—
Toyo: “Can you speak English?”
Murai: “No.”
Toyo: “Can you keep accounts?”
Murai: “No.”
At the time, people who could both speak English and manage accounting were virtually nonexistent. Many young men wished to study abroad, but very few wanted to go overseas as merchants. Murai, who aspired to become a merchant abroad, was in fact a rare exception.
Even so, Toyo reportedly sighed, wondering why his brother had sent such a man.
Yet crossing the ocean to America itself was a momentous decision. Sending Murai back immediately was unthinkable. Toyo decided, “Let’s have him work for now.”
Once Murai was placed on the shop floor, everything changed.
Although he spoke no English, Murai proved to be an outstanding salesman. Despite the language barrier, he inspired trust. Regular customers affectionately referred to him as:
“Where’s the big fellow?”
A nickname said to come from his large, striking eyes. Even in surviving photographs, Murai radiates an unmistakable presence.
Seeing this, Toyo immediately adjusted course.
“Murai is suited for customer service. I’ll take charge of the accounting myself.”
Though Murai was not the assistant Toyo had initially envisioned, Toyo carefully assessed the person in front of him, recognized his strengths, and reshaped roles accordingly.
This moment reveals Toyo Morimura’s flexibility and keen insight into human potential.
「“We Will Not Accept Subsidies”: The Spirit of Independent Enterprise
Around 1880, as Morimura Brothers expanded their business, the Japanese government was actively promoting overseas trade.
One key policy was direct trade—exporting goods directly through Japanese-run trading firms rather than relying on foreign intermediaries who took large commissions. To encourage this, the government provided subsidies, and many Japanese shops advanced into New York.
If approved, financial support was available—effectively a system backed by the state.
Yet Morimura Brothers refused all such subsidies.
“When people rely on government assistance, they grow complacent.
One must not choose the easy path.”
This belief—that excessive dependence on state protection weakens discipline—guided their decisions.
As a result, Morimura Brothers practiced strict frugality, carefully studied American tastes, and invested in steady, ground-level marketing.
Many Japanese shops that relied on subsidies eventually neglected their own efforts. When economic conditions worsened and subsidies were reduced, most disappeared within a decade.
Morimura Brothers, who relied instead on understanding the local market and running a disciplined business, survived.
Here again, the Morimura family’s philosophy of independent enterprise stands out clearly.
The “Philosopher” Brother and His Absolute Trust in Toyo
こBehind these values stood Ichizaemon Morimura.
He was something of a philosopher and educator, constantly asking:
“What does it truly mean for people to live happily?”
Ichizaemon authored a book titled Independent Enterprise, advocating the importance of living without reliance on government support. In many ways, it can be seen as a precursor to modern business books.
Notably, it was not a self-congratulatory success story written for the public, but a guide meant for company employees—a style surprisingly common today, yet already practiced over a century ago.
Above all, Ichizaemon held deep respect for his younger brother.
“The company exists because of my brother.
Spiritually, he surpasses me.”
Such praise, directed toward a brother fifteen years his junior, reveals the profound trust between them.
「“Beijo Shinsei”: Requests from America Are Sacred
Within the Japanese headquarters of Morimura Brothers existed a guiding principle known as “Beijo Shinsei.”
It meant:
“Any request from Toyo in America must be fulfilled, no matter how difficult.
Such requests are to be treated as sacred.”
If Toyo asked for a particular style of coffee cup, or proposed fashionable illustrated products, the Japanese headquarters mobilized with full commitment to deliver.
This was more than family loyalty—it was respect for a partner fighting on the front lines, thousands of miles away.
What Endured from the Brothers’ Foundation
Seen in this light, the success of the Morimura family was not the story of a single charismatic leader.
It was shaped by:
- Toyo, who observed people on the ground, recognized talent, and adapted roles flexibly
- Ichizaemon, who built a philosophical foundation and trusted his brother completely
Together, step by step, they built something enduring.
They rejected subsidies, studied American preferences with patience, taught independence to employees, and treated distant requests as sacred commitments.
As many Japanese shops vanished from New York, only Morimura’s enterprise survived—and eventually grew into a major conglomerate.
Looking back, their story still speaks to us today:
- Perfectly qualified people are rare
- True leadership lies in finding and nurturing strengths
- Independence requires resolve
- And the voices of partners working far away deserve sincere attention
More than a century later, the story of Toyo Morimura and his brother Ichizaemon continues to offer timeless lessons—for business, and for life.