History

From long ago, the casting, wiredrawing, and cotton textile industries have been prosperous in Higashiosaka.

Let’s trace the history of a wide variety of industries derived from these three industries.

1603～1867（Edo period）

The traditional technique known as Kawachi casting was introduced to Higashiosaka.

(Kawachi is the eastern part of Osaka prefecture)

1868～1912（Meiji period）

The production of iron kettles, as well as pots and pans , became widely popular.

1926～1988（Showa period）

1. Main products of casting changed from household products into machine-related cast parts, the city’s primal industry.
    
2. The number of casting factories decreased because of changes in the market demand and increasing pollution problems, while the technology of Kawachi casting was sophisticatedly adapted to highly evaluated products of fine arts and crafts.

1603～1867（Edo period）

The water wheel industry utilizing the rapid stream from Mt. Ikomayama encouraged the manufacture of coloring powders and drug powders.

Merchants in Higashiosaka started to manually draw wires with the order for the copper wires used to make Japanese hair sticks in Kyoto.

1868～1912（Meiji period）

Wiredrawng was performed using a water wheel as a source of power for the first time. In addition, the wiredrawing industry became prosperous in the Hiraoka area, eastern part of the city.

1912～1926（Taisho period）

In the wake of the tramway, the grid electricity became available, leading to better productivity.

1926～1988（Showa period）

1. The wiredrawing industry in Higashiosaka accounted for 40% of the market nationwide and became the largest local industry.
    
2. The wiredrawing industry declined because of the labor shortage, pollution problems, and fierce competition with foreign companies.In the meantime, some companies became specialized in new business fields.

1603～1867（Edo period）

Rerouting and Reclamation of the river running through Higashiosaka, gave people the vast land f o r Kawachi cotton production.

1868～1912（Meiji period）

With the abolishment of tariffs on imported cotton in 1896, Japan’s cotton agriculture declined rapidly, leading to unemployment and job-changing.

 Breakdown of the cotton textile industry

• Switched to yarn twisting and towel industries
• Started toothbrush bristles processing and button holing.
• Started production of wire meshes and hairdressing tools (electric shaver) after mastering expertise in Osaka.

After the decline of the cotton textile industry, people started new business such as toothbrush, button and various kinds of products.