Historical Trajectory
History of Ganshodo
With a history of more than 120 years, Ganshodo has started an art business focusing on prints as a new challenge in 2025. We handle a wide range of traditional Japanese art, including ukiyo-e prints, as well as manga and contemporary art, and are expanding into the global market.
Company History
The history of Ganshodo is a story of innovation and growth.
1901
Establishment
Founded by Shigetaro Hatano. Begins selling antiquarian books.
1904
Expansion into Kanda
The store is located in Kanda and handles both new and antiquarian books.
1955
Reinforcement of business foundation
Reinforced business foundation following organizational reform. Rebuilt with the support of many supporters.
2025
Entered the art business
Begins art business. Through art that fuses tradition and innovation, the company introduces Japanese culture to the world.
1901 Shigetaro Hatano opens a private antiquarian bookstore in Azabu-juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
1904 Expands to Kanda, Tokyo. The bookstore is renamed Ganshodo Shoten, dealing in antiquarian and new books.
1908 Entered the publishing business. Since then, we have published a series of books in a wide range of fields, mainly in the social sciences, such as law and economics.
1914 Ganshodo Shoten established a branch in Honmachi, Keijo (then under Japanese administration), which corresponds to present-day Seoul, South Korea.
1916 Ganshodo Shoten established a branch in Hongo(Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
1919 Ganshodo Shoten established a branch in Osaka
1923 The head office was completely destroyed by fire in the Great Kanto Earthquake. Reorganized as a joint-stock company.
1934 Ganshodo Shoten once operated a branch in Shinkyō, the capital of Manchukuo, which is now known as Changchun in present-day China.
1938 Hajime Hatano is appointed president.
1947 Hajime Hatano retires due to postwar social conditions, and Shigetaro Hatano is reappointed as President.
In the same year, began independent brokerage business for bookstores nationwide.
1949 Due to uncollected book charges, the brokerage business incurred a large amount of debt and suffered poor performance.
1951 Kanji Hatano and Isoko Hatano establish Ganshodo Kosho Co., Ltd. within Ganshodo Shoten.
1952 Name changed from Ganshodo Kosho Co., Ltd. to Ganshodo Co.,Ltd.
Isoko Hatano becomes Representative Director.
Business taken over from Ganshodo Shoten.
1954 Ichiro Yamada was appointed as President. Rebuilt with support from Sadajiro Kubo and others.
1988 Ichiro Yamada becomes President of the National Federation of Antiquarian Booksellers’ Associations.
1991 Completion of Ganshodo Building in Kanda Jimbocho
2025 Sunao Kuboyama becomes President. Enters the art business.
Significance of Expansion into Kanda, Tokyo
Breaking New Ground
The expansion to Kanda, Tokyo in 1904 was an important turning point in Ganshodo’s growth. Opening a store here gave the company access to a new customer base. This allowed us to diversify our business by offering both new and antiquarian books. Our brand was further strengthened, laying the foundation for later forays into publishing and international expansion.
Antiquarian Book ~ New Book ~ Publication
Formation of corporate identity
In 1908, the company expanded into the publishing business. Ganshodo has contributed to the dissemination of knowledge and culture through the publication of legal and economic books. In addition, our prewar and postwar forays into Manchuria (present-day northeastern China) and Korea contributed to the foundation of our international outlook as a company.
These experiences have nurtured our creativity and served as the foundation for the diversification of our business operations up to the present day.
Business Model Transition
Postwar Growth and Change
After a period of postwar turmoil, in 1955 the company strengthened its business foundation while responding to the changing times. Until then, we had dealt primarily in new books, but in response to changing market conditions, we handled a wide range of used and antiquarian books, achieving sustained growth even during the period of rapid economic growth. Adopting a flexible business model to meet the changing consumer needs associated with the rapid growth of the economy was the key to our success. This has enabled us to expand our markets both domestically and internationally and has laid the foundation for the diversity of our business today.
This transformation is deeply rooted in our corporate culture and our constant pursuit of innovation.
History of Innovation and Adaptation
Prospects for the Future
Art Projects and International Markets
Beginning in 2025, Ganshodo will focus more on its art business, particularly printmaking. This new vision will advance our mission to bring Japanese culture and creativity to the world.
In particular, our expansion into international markets through e-commerce is an important step in bringing the works we handle to a wider audience.
This challenge is to create new value by blending tradition and innovation, and to transmit the wonderful culture of Japan to the world.
Name Ganshodo Co.,Ltd.
CEO Sunao Kuboyama
Establishment 12, October, 1901
Address 1-7, Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 101-0051
Businesses Planning, sales and exhibition of art works
Purchase and sale of books
Rights management business
License Antique dealer registration No. 303252517256