Yashiro Shogoro establishes the Minami Yashiro Kondaya in the Nishijin district, Kyoto, after the Great Nishijin fire.
1868
The first year of the Meiji era, the sixth generation Yashiro Shogoro passes the company headship to the seventh generation Genbei Yamaguchi who was born in the Matsuo district, Kyoto. He renames the company to Kondaya Genbei, and was rewarded the title of “Yokozuna(champion)” in Nishijin as the master obi wholesaler.
1905
The company moves its headquarters to its current location in Muromachi, Kyoto.
1917
After Genbei Yamaguchi VII’s death, the company was handed over to Genbei Yamaguchi VIII.
1919
To commemorate his achievement, Genbei Yamaguchi VIII completes the company building spending 10 years. Using the finest Japanese architects and technique.
1933
After Genbei Yamaguchi VIII’s death, then succeeded by Genbei Yamaguchi IX.
After Genbei Yamaguchi IX’s death, then succeeded by the current Genbei Yamaguchi X. He concentrates on creating only obi/textile.
1985
Solo obi/textile exhibition by Genbei Yamaguchi X. Using only primitive textile(Genshi-fu) from different parts of Japan. Starts weaving obi/textile using wild silk from India and Southeast Asia.
1994
Exhibition celebrating the 260th anniversary of founding the company. Held in a Machiya building, constructed in the late Edo period in Rokujo, Kyoto.
1999
Exhibition entitled “Kyoto’s Obi and Kimono, Kondaya Genbei”.
2000
Exhibition entitled “Woven Obi, Kondaya Genbei”.
2002
Exhibitions entitled “Kaguya Kono Mayu Koishimaru silk” and “Kondaya Genbei: Supreme quality of Karaori obi,Koishimaru silk and the rarest paper fabric - Decorate based on literature”. Receives the Nikkei MJ Award for Koishimaru Silk Project. Continues to put an effort to revive the use of Koishimaru silk(a Japanese indigenous silkworm species), and to revitalize traditional Japanese dyeing techniques.
2003
Receives Japan Culture Design Award. Launches a study group to explore the symbolism of design motifs on Muromachi (1336-1573) and Momoyama (1573-1615) period clothing. Exhibition entitled Kondaya Genbei Woven Obi/Textile from natural golden Maharaja silk.
2012
Genbei Yamaguchi becomes an image character of Toyota's sports car "Toyota 86”.
2016
7 Kondaya Genbei Obis officially enters as a permanent collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London.