|
|
Address
|
 |
 |
|
TORAYA CONFECTIONERY CO. Ltd. |
4-9-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo,
| |
Toraya has long played an integral role in the history of Wagashi. The fine confectioneries date back many centuries and evoke the distinctive flavours of the country's seasons, literature and arts.
Today, if most of the Toraya confections are made according to modern processes through advanced technology, the traditional methods have been preserved for Wagashi so that each of theses cakes is designed as an original work.
In addition to the Wagashi tradition, one of the great characteristics of the company lies in a progressive approach to its employees:
- in 1976, the company introduced equal wages for men and women and also provides a new professional staff system that offers maternity leave and grants yearly accumulated leave,
- in 2000, Toraya initiated a new leave of absence program for its employees to help them become more involved in the rearing and education of their children,
- in 2001, Toraya announced its "Toraya V Vision", which calls for implementing the company's managerial philosophy by enhancing the values presented to customers, society and employees :
- offering customers maximum satisfaction
- reinforcing the Japanese lifestyle and culture through Japanese confectionery and fulfilling social responsibility
- providing employees with rewarding lives according to individual talent and ability
Toraya's current president Mitsuhiro Kurokawa is the 17th proprietor following the foundation of the company by Enchû Kurokawa in the 1600's. It has over 80 shops located mainly in Tokyo and Kyoto and a " magasin-salon de thé" in Paris.
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Key Dates of the
Company's History |
|
|
|
|
16th
century
|
Enchû Kurokawa is considered as the founding father of the present-day Toraya. By the 1600's, he created in Kyoto a confectionery business which appears in the records of the company as a purveyor to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto during the reign of Emperor Goyozei (1586 - 1611).
|
1635
|
Record of confectionery served to the Imperial Palace on September 15, 1635, to honor Empress Meisho's visit to the former Emperor Gomizuno-o.
|
1672
|
Toraya's 5th proprietor, Mitsutomi, was granted the honorary title of Omi Daijo in recognition of the family's many years of faithful service to the Imperial Household.
|
1695 |
The oldest illustrated reference book, which would be the equivalent of a product catalog today, was completed.
|
1805
|
In order to overcome the economic crisis, the 9th proprietor Mitsutoshi compiled a set of rules for shop employees aimed at reforming the shop.
The standards he spelled out are still largely applicable today.
|
1869
|
The nation's capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo with the Imperial Household and Toraya opened a shop in Tokyo, too.
|
1947
|
Toraya was reorganized as a joint-stock company, next year, renaming the company as Toraya Confectionery Co. Ltd.
|
1962
|
Opening of the first outlet at Tobu Department Store in Ikebukuro.
|
1973
|
Creation of the Toraya Archives (Toraya Bunko) gathering catalogues, ancient records, documents, literature and a wide assortment of materials related to Wagashi and confections.
|
1980
|
Opening of a "magasin-salon de thé" in Paris
|
2003
|
Launching of a new brand TOROYA CAFÉ, an original concept of pastry away from traditional barriers of Wagashi and western pastries such as the meeting between red bean paste and chocolate.
|
2007
|
Opening of the Toraya shop in Tokyo Midtown.
|
|
|
Top of page 
|
|
<
