Kongō Gumi

Several Kongō Gumi workers, early 20th century.

Kongō Gumi Co., Ltd. (株式会社金剛組, Kabushiki Gaisha Kongō Gumi) was a Japanese construction company and was the world's oldest continuously ongoing independent company, operating for over 1,400 years until it was absorbed as a subsidiary of another larger construction company. Headquartered in Osaka, the once family-owned construction company traced its origins to 578 when one of the Korean engineers, whom Prince Shōtoku brought from Baekje to Japan to build the Buddhist temple Shitennō-ji, decided to start his own business. Over the centuries, Kongō Gumi participated in the construction of many famous buildings, including the 16th century Osaka Castle.

A three meter 17th-century scroll traces the 40 generations back to the company's start. As with many distinguished Japanese families, sons-in-law often joined the clan and took the Kongō family name. Thus, through the years, the line has continued through either a son or a daughter.

The company fell on hard times and went into liquidation in January 2006. Its assets were purchased by Takamatsu Corporation. Before its liquidation, it had over 100 employees and annual revenue of ¥7.5 billion ($70 million) in 2005; it still specialized in building Buddhist temples. The last president was Masakazu Kongō, the 40th Kongō to lead the firm. As of December 2006, Kongō Gumi continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Takamatsu.

See also

• List of oldest companies

External links

• Kongō Gumi(Japanese)
• Nikkei Special "Dawn of Gaia" vol.296 Jan 8, 2008(Japanese) - Introducing documentary program about reconstruction process of Kongo Gumi with Takamatsu(日経スペシャル「ガイアの夜明け」2008年1月8日放送　第296回)