Yukiyosi Mikimoto
Yukiyosi Mikimoto(The seeing coming origin like this it comes, the ち1858March 10th(Ansei5 yearsJanuary 25th) - 1954September 21st(1954))PearlIt is the person who forms wealth with such as cultivation and the brand conversion.Pearl kingWith it is called.
Birth
Shima countryGeneration after generation in Osato Cho of the Toba inletNoodlesProduction sale is operated, it was born as an eldest son of "Awa happiness". As for father sound good fortune, mother collar. It is young, name was named Yoshimatsu. The father trading compared to is an interest in invention improvement of the machines,Meiji14 years (1881) The powder 挽 it comes, depending on the improvement of the mortarMie prefectureCommendation of the industrial section is received, 100 Yen prizes is conferred. As for the grandfather good fortune warehouse as ", called the kind of person who is the eye in rear", the tip was visible and was favored to trade ability. Although also 10 have the large sampah, gain with transport of the stone other than the noodles house of occupation sale of the firewood, the charcoal and the green vegetables etc. was extensively operated and that the commodity was formed, it is conveyed. Late year, "as for soul of the triplet you could raise Yukiyosi in the grandfather," that you have recalled.Meiji restorationThe unemployment loyal retainer family which loses job due toKurihara Isamu warehouseIwasa filial piety four 郎And others the reading and writing abacus and book-reading etc. were learned, but it does not receive proper education.
Trade ability and improvement heart and sociability
From early on all the way with the noodles of 8 rins as for building fortune as understood, that it is unreasonable, peddling the side green vegetables of occupation is begun in 14 years old. By the fact that big goal is put out, you gave topic to by your, there was about the self is encouraged, you were called the large brag blowing as a time. Foot art (sleeping in looking up, the foot being flat, the art which turns the bull's eye umbrella) with announcement,EnglandIt succeeded in selling Seika and the egg to the warship silver number. In addition, it seems that has also the kind of stepping out of the ring which in the point which utilizes the mass communications, thinks out also kind of the fact that it hits to ヤラセ now referred to executes.
The approach run road which reaches to the pearl
1876 (1876)Land tax amendmentSo, tax payment from payment of taxed in rice changing to cash payment in the opportunity,The United StatesSeeing, that becomes kind of trading, from green vegetables trade to convert to rice dealer, 1878 (1878) You inherit family estate with 20 years old, rename Yukiyosi Mikimoto. March of the same year Tokyo, by the traveling to Yokohama, you were convinced of the fact that such as natural pearl, Shima specialty ones can become the powerful trade commodity for the Chinese re-changed over to the marine products thing merchant. As for Yukiyosi as a marine products thing merchant the selfAbaloneNatural pearlナマコIse shrimpMale 蠣AmakusaTurban shellClamMillet brandyAlthough and so on the assorted commodity is handled it participated in Shima product exhibition and the formation etc. of Shima national marine products thing revised union, endeavored in industrial promotion of local end. After that, Shima national marine products thing revised union length, the Mie prefectural industrial inquiry member and Mie prefectural commercial law meeting Assemblyman, and so on it served and had become the personage of local end. As for the natural pearl it was the by-product which can be caught from the abalone. Among the pearls which Yukiyosi purchasesDaio promontorySo those which were picked were the domestic largest natural pearl, this pearl is exhibited by 1900 Paris international exhibition afterwards, is called in name of the Mikimoto pearl. This time, as for Yukiyosi with the belief which is common with the woman diver, Shima cityHeaven IwatoThe wood is donated.
In turning point of times
As for start of Yukiyosi's leap, the historical background, Meiji restoration is opportunity. The marriage which exceeds the freedom of choice and status occupation becomes possible,Slogan of wealthy country strong militaryWith sea national Japanese higher productivity promotion of industry policy 1882 with under (1882) Large Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. meeting was established. 1881 (188123 years old) marriage. Wife,BearAt that time 17 years old.Toba feudal clanLoyal retainer familyKume prosperous warehouseIs to be the ability woman, before the restoration at this marriage could not think of elementary school and the high course of new educational system with the daughter. 1882 (1883) The father, you pass away at the sound good fortune 54 year old.
Cultivation of アコヤ shellfish
When in the ornament market of the world, the natural pearl is transacted with high price, the woman diver takes one grain pearl, from the fact that you can obtain large amount earnings, not only Shima the アコヤ shellfish of entire country verged to the crisis of extermination with overhunting. Fearing this situation, 1888 (1888The June 30 years old) for 2nd nationwide marine products exhibition the time when it goes up to the capital, the large Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. meeting which is the sponsorWillow oak raptureIf (willow even if) (1832-1891) It visited and looked up guidance. Furthermore, it is the person where the willow oak rapture person graduates the Nagasaki transmission learning place with Mie prefectural Tsu city graduate, does naval waterway department manager of the first generation. Yukiyosi September 11th of the same year started the cultivation of the shellfish, but if the pearl is not borne, value as a commodity was low, ended in the expense collapsing. Because of this while converting conception, << cultivation of the pearl >> changing into last purpose, inspecting the mode of life of the アコヤ shellfish with the process purpose of beginning even profit the fruit is by the fact that it cultivates the shellfishL.ブータン博士などの権威者を証人として正論を述べる等して対抗。イギリスの宝石商は訴訟を取り下げたが、フランスは粘り強く拒否を続けた。昭和2年（1927年）、フランスの裁判所から、天然と変わらぬものとの鑑定結果の通知を受け、ようやく世界で認める宝石となった。生産地も次第に英虞湾を中心とする志摩地方だけでなく、全国的に広げていった。 大往生 昭和29年（1954年）9月21日、御木本幸吉は96歳で亡くなった。老衰による大往生と言ってよいだろう。持病は胆石があったようで、看病の為に、住み込みで身の回りの世話をした女医の話によると、真珠王と言われる方が、あまりにも質素な食事をしておられた事に驚いたし、待遇もしかりという次第であったようである。当時は朝鮮戦争が終わって景気は悪くなかったが、まだ米穀通帳やら外食券食堂があり、旅行には米を持参する時代であった。 幸吉の心痛と長寿の賜物
御木本幸吉は単に、真珠の養殖と真珠貝の養殖に成功しただけでなく、真珠を宝石市場の中心に位置させる為のあらゆる努力を惜しまなかった。なお、幸吉の一人息子隆三
（1937年）は、一高時代に英国の思想家
ジョン・ラスキン（John Ruskin 1819年-1900年）の著作に出会い、オックスフォード大学留学でラスキンの研究に情熱を注ぎ、銀座に開設したラスキン文庫内の喫茶室ラスキンルームのメニューに《ラスキンサンドウィッチ》と記す程の思い入れが強かった。更に銀座一丁目に「ラスキンカテッジ」、渋谷道玄坂に「ラスキンガーデン」、銀座五丁目に「ラスキンホール」等と次々と開設、その後、昭和12年（1937年）破産、禁治産者申請へと至るが、隆三の人生を辿るだけでも、壮絶なドラマである。幸吉の心痛の思い、いかばかりかの感であるが、結果的に、幸吉が96歳まで長寿を保ったという事実が、長男の事件と第二次世界大戦の二つの大事件を克服し、ブランドを他家に取られず、本家を世界周知のミキモトとして、飛躍に至らしめたといえよう。
参考文献 ミキモト編『御木本真珠発明100年史』 株式会社ミキモト 平成6年（1994年）7月出版（共同刊行者 株式会社御木本真珠島、御木本製薬株式会社、株式会社御木本装身具）
