Kongō Gumi

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Several Kongo Gumi workers, early 20th century.

Kongō Gumi Co., Ltd. (株式会社金剛組; Kabushiki Gaisha Kongō Gumi) is the world's oldest continuously-operating company, operating for over 1,400 years. Headquartered in Osaka, the family-owned construction company has origins dating back to the year 578, when Prince Shotoku brought Kongō family members from Baekje, Korea to Japan to build the Buddhist Shitennoji Temple, which still stands. Over the centuries, Kongō Gumi has participated in the construction of many famous buildings, including the 16th century Osaka Castle, Hōryū-ji in Nara, and Shitennō-ji.

A 10-foot, 17th century scroll traces the 40 generations back to the company's start. As with many distinguished Japanese families, sons-in-law often joined the clan and took the Kongō family name. Thus, through the years, the line has continued through either sons or daughters.

The company fell on hard times and went into liquidation in January, 2006. Its assets were purchased by Takamatsu Corporation.^[1] ^[2] Before its liquidation, the company had over 100 employees and an annual revenue of $70 million (7.5 billion yen) in 2005; it had still specialized in building Buddhist temples. The last president was Masakazu Kongō, the 40th Kongō to lead the firm. As of December, 2006, Kongo Gumi continues to trade as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takamatsu.