History of Nissha Main Hall
The Nissha Main Hall is located in the center of Heiankyo*, on the site of the former Suzakuin, which was the residence of the emperors after their abdication.
The Main Hall was built in 1906 as the headquarters of Kyoto Menneru Co., Ltd. In 1948, Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. (the present Nissha Co., Ltd., hereinafter Nissha), took over the building, and it served as our headquarters until 1980. This modern-era building already has more than a century of history.
A full-scale structural inspection by specialists began around 2003, and conservation and repair efforts, including seismic reinforcement work, were completed in December 2008. The following year, Nissha Museum of Printing History opened. NISSHA FOUNDATION is charged by Nissha with the operation and maintenance of the building overall.
In December 2011, the Main Hall was recognized as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. It will be maintained and preserved carefully as a structure representing the long culture and history of this site.
*Japan’s capital city from 794 to 1869.
History Related to the Nissha Main Hall
| 1895 |
Establishment of Kyoto Menneru Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| 1898 |
Construction of a factory at the site and start of operations |
| 1906 |
Construction of headquarters (the present Main Hall) |
| 1929 |
Establishment of a printing business by Naoki Suzuki, the founder of Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. (the present Nissha Co., Ltd.) |
| 1946 |
Establishment of Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. |
| 1948 |
Purchase of the land and buildings at the site by Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. |
| 2008 |
Completion of conservation and repair work on the Main Hall |
| 2009 |
Opening of the Nissha Museum of Printing History |
| 2011 |
Registration of the Main Hall as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property |