About the Association

Nagahama Silk Fortress,
HAMACHIRIMEN　INDUSTRIAL (COOPERATIVE) ASSOCIATION

ABOUT

The HAMACHIRIMEN　INDUSTRIAL (COOPERATIVE) ASSOCIATION is located near Nagahama Station, approximately 200 meters from the shores of Lake Biwa.
The cooperative is funded by local industrial businesses (weaving houses) that manufacture Nagahama silk. On the premises of the cooperative, there is a scouring plant where sericin, dirt, and other impurities are removed from the white fabric woven by the weavers. The association holds the "Hama Chirimen and Hama Tsumugi White Fabric Review Exhibition" in Kyoto every year, participates in the Japan Creation and Gift Show, cooperates in the Nagahama Kimono Event, and makes various other efforts to expand new possibilities for white fabrics.

Organization

Organization Name	HAMACHIRIMEN　INDUSTRIAL (COOPERATIVE) ASSOCIATION
History	871 Gion-cho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0061
TEL	+81 749-62-4011
web	https://www.hamachirimen.jp

representative	Kazuo Yoshida, Chairman of the Board
vice-chairman	Kenji Hase
number of members	10 people
Date of Establishment	June 19, 1950

HISTORY

March, 1904	OmiChirimen silk frizzling association established (by Ordinance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce)
May, 1898	Hamachirimen trade association established (under the Important Export Trade Association Act)
March, 1901	Articles of Incorporation amended in accordance with the Important Products Trade Association Law.
June 1932	HAMACHIRIMEN　INDUSTRIAL (COOPERATIVE) ASSOCIATION established (under the Industrial Association Act)
1933	Construction of Hama Chirimen Joint Scouring Plant started.
February 1934	Hama Tsumugi Industrial Association established and separated with some companies
October 1941	Shiga Textile Industry Association established (through corporate development)
July, 1944	Shiga Prefecture Textile Manufacturing Control Association established (under the Commercial and Industrial Association Act).
March 1947	Shiga Prefecture Silk and Human Silk Textile Industry Cooperative Association established (under the Commerce and Industry Cooperative Association Act).
August 1948	Shiga Prefecture Silk and Human Silk Weavers Association established.
September 1949	Hamachirimen association established.
April 1950	HAMACHIRIMEN　INDUSTRIAL (COOPERATIVE) ASSOCIATION established; later moved to 745-1, Sq.
June 1952	Designated as a model cooperative in Shiga Prefecture
November 1956	Shiga Prefecture Small and Medium Business Convention Award
August 1958	Small and Medium Enterprise Award
July 1959	Kyoto Textile Wholesalers Association Table Award (National Textile Production Area Competition Grand Prize)
March 1962	Minister of International Trade and Industry Award
October 1962	National Federation of Small Business Associations Award
October 1962	Shiga Prefecture Labor Standards Bureau Director’s Commendation
December 1963	Shiga Prefecture Governor’s Commendation
October 1964	Nagoya Textile Wholesalers Association Award (National Award for Best Textile Production Area)
March 1967	Prime Minister’s Commendation
October 1969	Awarded by the Nagoya Textile Wholesalers Association (again, the National Award for the Best Textile Production Area)
July 1970	Shiga Prefecture Labor Standards Association Award
July 1970	Japan Recreation Association Award
June 1973	Certificate of Appreciation from the Governor of Shiga Prefecture (for cooperation in the development of a textile industry guidance center)
November 1973	The cooperative’s offices and common facilities were relocated to 871 Gion-cho (871 Gion-cho).
September 1974	Commendation by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (commended as an excellent cooperative on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the enforcement of the Cooperative Association Law)
October 1974	Labor Standards Association Award
November 1976	Awarded as an excellent agency by the Prefectural Fire Mutual Insurance Association
March 1978	Awarded as an excellent production area at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Tokyo Textile Wholesale Trade Association
October 1980	Commendation by the Minister of Labor (commended as an excellent organization on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the enforcement of the Domestic Labor Law)
March 1981	Commendation from the President of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Award of Excellence at the National Kimono Festival)
October 1983	Minister of Labor Award (for outstanding performance in the Labor Statistics Survey)
October 1984	Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award (for women’s apparel fabrics at the National Silk and White Fabrics New Product Review)
October 1986	National Textile Industry Technology Association Chairman’s Commendation
May 1988	Shiga Prefecture Environmental Safety Association Commendation (for improved facilities)
August 1988	Certificate of Appreciation from the Governor of Shiga Prefecture (for friendship exchange between Shiga Prefecture and Hunan Province)