Bishu’s Oldest
Woolen Textile Manufacturer.

Over 150 Years of History

KUNISHIMA SHOTEN, as we were once known, was established in 1850.
Our founder, Kunishima Buemon, wanted to “open up a brighter future for Japan,
which was under direct pressure from the West, by means of economic capabilities.’
Based on that aspiration, he launched a weaving business, as well as diversified operations such as
wholesale and finance businesses, centered around Bishu (today’s Ichinomiya).
In 1924, the Weaving Division was split off to form a separate company,
and CHUGAI KEORI Co., Ltd. was established with the hope of expanding in Japan and overseas.
It added manufacturing functions to its wholesale functions, and is the origin of today’s KUNISHIMA.
In 1965, we began technical cooperation and a sister company alliance with an Italian enterprise,
and engaged in overseas expansion. In 2020, we changed our company name to KUNISHIMA,
and announced our new slogan, ‘Making the world a gentler place with our fabrics.’
We want to go beyond the role of a traditional textile manufacturer, and create a gentler world
where people can connect and understand one another via fabrics and clothing.

KUNISHIMA SHOTEN, as we were
once known, was established in 1850.
Our founder, Kunishima Buemon,
wanted to “open up a brighter future
for Japan, which was under direct pressure
from the West, by means of
economic capabilities.’
Based on that aspiration, he launched a
weaving business, as well as diversified
operations such as wholesale and
finance businesses, centered around Bishu
(today’s Ichinomiya).

In 1924, the Weaving Division was
split off to form a separate company,
and CHUGAI KEORI Co., Ltd. was
established with the hope of expanding
in Japan and overseas.
It added manufacturing functions to
its wholesale functions, and is
the origin of today’s KUNISHIMA.
In 1965, we began technical cooperation
and a sister company alliance with
an Italian enterprise,and engaged in
overseas expansion. In 2020,
we changed our company
name to KUNISHIMA, and announced
our new slogan, ‘Making the world
a gentler place with our fabrics.’
We want to go beyond the role of a
traditional textile manufacturer,
and create a gentler world where
people can connect and understand
one another via fabrics and clothing.