In 1905, Masunaga Optical planted the seeds of the optical industry in Fukui, Japan. The company’s founder, Gozaemon Masunaga, brought skilled craftsmen from Tokyo and Osaka and created a system where they could operate from independent workshops. By 1911 there were 13 factories in Fukui Prefecture, and today 90% of all domestic optical frames are made in this area.
The company’s mission statement since the establishment states, “We manufacture excellent eyeglasses. We want to make a profit if we can, but we don’t hesitate to take a loss. It is always in our thoughts to manufacture excellent eyeglasses.” These words still form the basis of the employees’ conduct code, even 100 years after establishment.
| 1905 | Gozaemon Masunaga invites craftsmen from Osaka to live in Fukui and establish an optical frame industry in that region |
| 1911 | Masunaga wins its first Gold Medal at the National Manufacturing Trade Exhibition |
| 1917 | Improved technology for gold/copper and gold/silver frames |
| 1932 | Japan Manufacturer’s Association Award for services to trade and industry |
| 1933 | Emperor visits Fukui and is presented with 3 Masunaga frames |
| 1936 | Gozaemon Masunaga II takes over the company after death of the founder |
| 1955 | Main factory moves to present location in Fukui |
| 1957 | Company incorporates with Gozaemon Masunaga as President |
| Visit by Prince Takamatsu | |
| 1963 | Visit by Prince Mikasa and former Prince Minister Shigeru Yoshida |
| 1968 | Visit by Crown Prince (the present Emperor) and Princess |
| 1970 | Masunaga frames placed in Osaka Expo Time Capsule |
| 1979 | Junichi Masunaga becomes President |
| 1984 | KOKI Europa (Switzerland) established |
| 1989 | Satoru Masunaga becomes President |
| 1991 | Sales begin of KOKI Sportsflex frames (made of shape memory metal) |
| 1992 | KOKI MASUNAGA Malaysia Sdn.Bhd. established |
| 1995 | KOKI MASUNAGA Hong Kong established |
| 1997 | MASUNAGA poster wins Boston Good Design Award |
| 1998 | MASUNAGA poster wins Chicago Good Design Award and becomes part of the permanent collection |
| 1999 | Visit by Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko |
| Masunaga Group, Inc. (USA) established | |
| 2000 | Awarded the best prize of Sunglass as the first Japanese company at Silmo Award Wins IF Design Award MASUNAGA poster wins Reddot Award: communication design 2001 MASUNAGA poster wins Industrial Art Director Award in 2000, 42nd Catalogue & Poster Fair |
| 2001 | Wins Good Design Prize from Secretary of Small and Medium Enterprises MASUNAGA poster wins Good Design Award MASUNAGA poster wins Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 43rd Catalogue & Poster Fair |
| 2002 | MASUNAGA 1905 retail store opens in Aoyama, Tokyo |
| 2005 | MASUNAGA 1905 retail store opens at LACHIC in Nagoya Release of the centennial model on the 100th anniversary Received Design Excellent Company Award |
| 2007 | MASUNAGA 1905 retail store opens in Beijing |
| 2009 | Selected to 300 energetic manufacturers (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) |
| 2010 | MASUNAGA 1905 Premier retail store opens in Akasaka, Tokyo |