KANEMATSU

* Early History*

F. Kanematsu & Co., Ltd. was established on August 15, 1889, by 44-year-old Fusajiro Kanematsu. With offices in Kobe, Japan, and a staff of seven persons, Kanematsu initially began trading operations in the Australian market. A branch office was set up in Sydney, Australia, in the following year; and a first shipment of 187 bales of Australian wool reached Japan. Trading operations expanded to include wheat, tallow, and other Australian products. In 1918 F. Kanematsu reorganized as a joint-stock company. As Japan's international trade grew dramatically during the early years of the 20th century, F. Kanematsu extended its operations into South Africa and South America. By 1936 it had opened U.S. branch offices in New York and in Seattle, Washington, and a subsidiary in New Zealand. The Kanematsu Trading Corporation, a U.S. subsidiary, was formed in New York in 1941. Much of the trading operations of the company were curtailed during World War II ...
For more, see this link:

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Kanematsu-Corporation-Company- History.html

Here's a link that includes a brief chronological history of the company (not terribly useful for us):

http://www.kanematsu.co.jp/tabid/243/Default.aspx

And there's an archived collection of their products! It wasn't terribly specific or helpful, but at the bottom of the page on the following link, there's an e-mail contact. Might be worth your (or Tom's) pursuing.

http://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/liaison/eng/kanematu/comment-e.html

There's probably more gold to be mined out there. If only we could find that elderly employee who managed the Christmas notions aspect of their trade ....

- Antionette Stockenberg