Company Profile
Murataya was founded in 1890 (Meiji 23) as "Murakami Seizaburo Shoten" in what is now Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture.
Given the times at the time, we started out as a general clothing store.
The store became a kimono specialty store in 1954 after the war, when the second-generation owner, Murakami Ko, took over. Since then, he has made "better things at cheaper prices" his family motto, visiting kimono manufacturers and wholesalers one by one, picking up each and every kimono and obi, and carefully selecting only the best that he could see with his own eyes. This tradition has been passed down to the current fourth-generation owner, Murakami Toru.
Second generation: Murakami Ko
Murataya's Commitment
My great-grandfather, Murakami Seizaburo, the founder of the company, was a man of quick thinking and trusted by everyone.
The second generation, Mr. Murakami, who inherited that bloodline, was also a person that everyone could rely on. He was strict with himself, meticulous, and humble with his customers, and always believed that "among the many products out there, you have chosen our store to buy kimonos, obi, and Japanese accessories, so it is my mission to provide you with quality products at affordable prices."
That sentiment remains unchanged to this day, and we believe the same.
Since taking over as the third generation owner, Murakami Hiroshi has continued to adhere to the family motto and build up trust and a proven track record. We are able to offer "better products at lower prices" at our store in Shimane, the land of the gods, because we are convinced that building relationships of trust with kimono manufacturers and wholesalers and purchasing directly from them allows us to deliver products to customers at lower prices. We also make every effort to purchase products because we want our customers to use our products for a long time.
History of Murataya
Company History
| 1890 (23rd year of Meiji) | The founder, Murakami Seizaburo, established the "Murakami Seizaburo Shoten" in Tsunozu, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture. He mainly sold kimonos and clothing fabrics. |
| 1937 (Showa 12) | The second generation, Ko Murakami, established "Murataya" in Ekimae-cho, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture, and started selling kimono and clothing in general. |
| 1954 (Showa 29) | The company name was changed to "Murataya Co., Ltd." and the store specialized in high-end kimonos. |
| 1963 (Showa 38) | The third generation president was Murakami Hiroshi. |
| 1965 (Showa 40) | The store expansion and improvement work has been completed, with modern windows. |
| 1979 (Heisei 1) | In conjunction with the store's interior renovation, the "Hiroshima Sogo Gift Corner" was established within the store. |
| 2001 (Heisei 13) | Due to road widening construction, the old store was demolished and a closing down sale was held, which caused a great sensation. |
| 2002 (Heisei 14) | The old store was demolished and a new store was built. |
| 2003 (Heisei 15) | New store completed. To celebrate the completion, we served "Kaga Hyakumangoku cuisine" using ingredients from the Hokuriku region and arranged in Kyoto style for three days. |
| 2005 (Heisei 17) | A concert by professional koto player Obiina Kuniko will be held, and guests will be treated to kaiseki cuisine from Owariya, a long-established Kyoto restaurant. |
| 2007 (Heisei 18) | Held a Kamigata Rakugo performance "Katsura Bunraku Solo Performance" (at Manpukuji Temple). |
| 2012 (Heisei 24) | Toru Murakami became the fourth president. |
Company Profile
| Company Name | Murataya Co., Ltd. |
| Representative Director | Toru Murakami |
| location | 〒698-0024 Shimane Prefecture, Masuda City, Ekimae-cho 11-16 |
| TEL/FAX | 0856-22-0098 / 0856-23-7405 |
| Established date | April 5, 1954 (Showa 29) |
| Contact by email | info@k-iwami.com |
| Opening times | 9:30～17:30 |
| Closed Day | Sundays, summer, New Year holidays |