2024.03.22
Stories behind Panasonic History
Episode 01: Bicycles
Series:
- Konosuke Matsushita
Here, we share episodes about Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of the Panasonic Group, from our company's historical records.
This first edition features bicycles, with which Konosuke formed a deep connection since his childhood. Late in his life, he referred to the bicycle industry as his spiritual home.
One of the first bicycle models manufactured by Matsushita Electric (today's Panasonic Group), which was aimed at the best riding comfort in the industry. Since the main models were for business use at that time, this consumer model was rare, thus attracting attention.
Everything started from here
Konosuke Matsushita left his native Wakayama at age nine to serve an apprenticeship in Osaka. For over five years from 1905, he spent his impressionable boyhood at the Godai Bicycle Shop.
One day, a nearby wholesaler called the shop, requesting to see a bicycle. The shop owner instructed Konosuke to visit the wholesaler and show him a bicycle. Although he was a shopboy, Konosuke wholeheartedly gave him explanations, showing his eagerness to sell. The wholesaler stated that he would buy the bicycle and requested a ten-percent discount. Konosuke accepted the request.
However, when he returned to the shop and reported the deal, the owner scolded Konosuke and said, "You must not discount so much at a time. Start with a five-percent discount. That's the way of business. Go back to the customer." Konosuke felt sad and broke into tears.
After a while, the chief clerk of the wholesaler visited the Godai Bicycle Shop to ask why delivery took such a long time, and he found that Konosuke was tearfully asking the shop owner for the ten-percent discount. Being moved by the report from the chief clerk on Konosuke's enthusiastic attitude, the wholesaler accepted a five-percent discount. When Konosuke delivered the bicycle, the wholesaler's owner kindly said that he would continue to buy bicycles from the Godai Bicycle Shop as long as Konosuke was working there.
In later years, Konosuke recalled this face-saving instance, stating, "I still clearly remember the day. For doing business, sincere attitudes based on passion may be more important than prices."
Thoughts on manufacturing bicycles
Konosuke and the memorial model designed to commemorate the production of one million National bicycles (1965)
After the foundation of Matsushita Electric (today's Panasonic Group), Konosuke had a special attachment to bicycles and set up a related business.
Although the business was interrupted during the war, he launched a return to the bicycle industry in 1951. He expressed his hope and enthusiasm by stating, "I have been unable to forget about the bicycle industry, my spiritual home, as I had been taught the way of business at a bicycle shop. Words cannot express how happy I am about being able to announce this return to the bicycle industry. I feel set free, like seeing blue sky after a long time."
Looking back on another encounter, which strongly supported the foundation of National Bicycle, Konosuke expressed his determination, "Takeharu Kurihashi, president of Tokyo Parts Industries, granted me use of the National trademark for bicycles and related products in his hopes for the industry's and Matsushita Electric's prosperity after listening to my commitment to the bicycle business. This good fortune enhanced my resolve. I swore to respond to his expectations. Based on the philosophy of co-existence and mutual prosperity, I will devote myself to the stability and prosperity of the industry by offering excellent bicycles and maintaining fair prices."
The following year, in 1952, Konosuke embarked on his long-desired bicycle manufacturing. One of the initial models of National bicycles had markings of the National logo in as many as 101 locations. Bicycles were such special products for Konosuke, who had taken his first steps as a merchant at a bicycle shop.
The National logo is visible on nearly every part of the first model, which remains preserved by the company. This makes us feel Konosuke's joy at his dream coming true, as well as his determination to achieve his mission.
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