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One of the theories:　"Kankoba" on Ginza-dori, which was created in the Meiji era, became the basis of "Gin Bra"? (Is it true?)

In contrast to the theory that the first department store was Mitsui Echigoya (currently Mitsukoshi) in Nihonbashi, there is a theory that "Kansho" was the starting point. "Kansho" was a large store that handles a variety of products as a whole, with small stores such as retail stores opening in a building developed by developers like the current shopping center. The first prefectural factory in 1878 (Meiji 11) was born in downtown areas such as Tokyo and Osaka, and in 1899, a store called "Imperial Hakuhinkan" was opened in Ginza. In the 20th century, when a department store that turned from a kimono store was born, it quickly lost momentum and disappeared one after another, and the Imperial Hakuhinkan, which remained until the Taisho era, was burned down in the Great Kanto Earthquake. It was a very short period of more than 20 years that Kansho was the leading role in the downtown area including Ginza.

At its peak, there were seven recommended factories on Ginza Street.

One of the theories that there were seven recommended factories on Ginza Street at its peak:　"Kankoba" on Ginza-dori, which was created in the Meiji era, became the basis of "Gin Bra"? (Is it true?)

During its peak (1902), there were 27 industrial factories in Tokyo, but of course it was also built in Nihonbashi. While Ginza's Kan Factory was built on Ginza Street, which will be the main street later, Nihonbashi was opened in some local places such as Kakigara-cho and Yonezawacho. Perhaps they encountered the opposition of a long-established Nihonbashi store, and could not have entered the Nihonbashi area. According to the common theory, the real estate price in Ginza surpassed Nihonbashi in 1934 and became the largest downtown area in Japan, which may be related to the differences in the areas where the industrial factory has entered.

It is said that there were seven recommended factories in Ginza (1-4 chome) alone at its peak. The products handled include clothing, stationery, toys, footwear, phantomlight projectors, air guns, paints, closets, Setomono, booth items, picture grass, etc. Also, during the Nakamoto and year-end gifts, a band was set up in a balcony-shaped place on the second floor, and a large-scale publicity was made, and the recommended factory in Ginza became a tourist attraction.

The Imperial Hakuhinkan, a recommended factory built in 1899, has a diagonally entrance as a building, rises naturally to the upper floor from the entrance, and eventually reaches the first floor exit. It seems that the unique appearance with a clock tower was also interesting.

Imperial Hakuhinkan (1899)

Imperial Hakuhinkan (1899) One of the theories:　"Kankoba" on Ginza-dori, which was created in the Meiji era, became the basis of "Gin Bra"? (Is it true?)

Another feature of the Kansho Factory was that you can enter with your lower legs. A copperplate print of the Tokyo Commerce and Industry Expo, created in 1882, depicts entering and exiting with a lower foot. Department stores have been using the display and sales method since the late Meiji era, but it is presumed that they were allowed to enter and exit with their lower legs after the Great Kanto Earthquake and from the end of the Taisho era to the Showa era. There are various theories such as "walking around Ginza" and "going to drink Brazilian coffee in Ginza". Display sales means a show window-style sales, so it may be the essence of silver bra because the company created a new form of pioneering "silver bra while doing window shopping".

(Reference)

1.　Establishment of Kan Factory and subsequent transitions Thesis Report of the Architectural Institute of Japan Toru Hatsuda UDC: 72.036

2.　Research Center for Innovation Management, Hosei University 2020/11/11 No.234

3.　Chuo-ku History Chart