Masatomo Sumitomo

Masatomo Sumitomo
(1585-1652)
Born in 1585, the second eldest son of a samurai family in Maruoka, Echizen Province, Masatomo
Sumitomo moved to Kyoto at the age of 12.
It was a long-cherished dream of his parents for Masatomo to become a disciple of the priest
Gyui Shonin Kugen, who was then leading a new sect of Buddhism called Nehan. Masatomo was
named Kuzen, and practiced asceticism, acquiring the title of Monjuin. Later the Nehan Sect was
deemed by the government to be one of the sects of Tendai. Displeased with this Masatomo left
the priesthood, opening a shop for books and medicines under the name of Fujiya in Kyoto. This
was during the Kan-ei era (1624-43), when Masatomo was 45 years of age.
Surviving works published by Masatomo include Ojoyoshu (“The Essentials of Salvation” by
Genshin, a Buddhist monk) and Goseibai Shikimoku (“Formulary of Adjudications,” the legal code
of the Kamakura shogunate). As an apothecary, Masatomo traded in such drugs as Hangontan, a
well-known panacea. The signboard for Hangontan exists to this day.
Despite his departure from the priesthood, many people wanted to follow Masatomo. He wrote
numerous letters, such as Monjuin Shiigaki and Ikai (instructions to descendants) to his followers
and family members.

The teachings of Masatomo may be summarized as follows: always keep the principal virtues of
“honesty, mercy and purity” in mind, respect the gods and Buddha, act with prudence and
discretion, and always be frugal. These teachings, handed down through the generations,
constitute the basis of Sumitomo’s corporate philosophy. Masatomo built a retreat called
Sokenan near Seiryo-ji Temple in Saga, Kyoto, retiring there at the age of 63. He passed away in
1652 at the age of 68 and is interred at Eiyo-ji Temple in Kyoto.

Born in 1585 in Maruoka, Province of Echizen (now Maruoka-cho, Fukui Prefecture), Masatomo,
the second son of a samurai family, went to Kyoto at the age of 12.
It was a long-cherished dream of his parents for Masatomo to become a disciple of the priest
Gyui Shonin Kugen, who was then leading a new sect of Buddhism called Nehan. Masatomo was
named Kuzen, and practiced asceticism, acquiring the title of Monjuin. Later the Nehan Sect was
deemed by the government to be one of the sects of Tendai. Displeased with this Masatomo left
the priesthood, opening a shop for books and medicines under the name of Fujiya in Kyoto. This
was during the Kan-ei era (1624 – 43), when Masatomo was 45 years of age.
Despite his departure from the priesthood, many people wanted to follow Masatomo. He wrote
many letters, such as Monjuin Shiigaki, Yuikai (instructions to descendants) etc. to his followers
and family members. The teachings of Masatomo were to always keep in mind "honesty, mercy
and purity" as primary morals, to respect gods and Buddha, to act with sufficient prudence and
discreetness, and to be always frugal. These teachings, long handed down, form the basis of
Sumitomo's corporate philosophy.

Monjuin Shiigaki

Masatomo Sumitomo (1585 – 1652, who acquired the title Monjuin after becoming a priest of
the Nehan sect) wrote this letter in his later years to Kanjuro, a member of Masatomo's family.
The letter, indicating the Sumitomo philosophy, is a brief explanation of business rules based on
the teachings of Buddhism, as well as Masatomo's thoughts about how to get along in this
world. The preamble adjures that nothing should be treated lightly; that all should be treated
with care and respect.

“Put your heart into everything you do.”

“Banji Nissei”
Masatomo Sumitomo, the founder of the Sumitomo family, penned these words in his late years.
They appear in the preamble of the Monjuin Shiigaki, known as the Founder’s Precepts, which he
composed for the benefit of Kanjuro, a member of his family. The work offers guidance on how
a merchant should conduct business. Masatomo wrote, “Do your best prudently and
meticulously, not only in business, but in every aspect of your life.” He emphasizes that a person
aspiring to be a merchant should first cultivate honesty and integrity.
Following these words in the Founder’s Precepts, Masatomo offers specific advice relevant to the
business milieu of 17th century Japan. For example, Masatomo cautions, “If items are offered to
you at prices lower than the market prices, assume they are stolen goods unless their origin is
known.” “Do not put anyone up for the night or accept anyone’s request to look after their
belongings.” “Do not act as a broker or provide a guarantee for anyone you do not know.” And
“Do not sell or buy on credit.” He concludes the Founder’s Precepts with advice on dealing with
difficult people. He writes, “Whatever the person you are dealing with says, do not become short-
tempered and argumentative. Instead, provide detailed explanations repeatedly.”
Monjuin Shiigaki (Founder’s Precepts)

Masatomo owned and managed a shop selling medicine and books. But he had pursued a
vocation as a Buddhist monk in his youth and continued to provide spiritual guidance to others
after returning to secular life. In his writings, he stresses that honesty and integrity are
prerequisites for embarking on a career as a merchant. He exhorts us to improve ourselves and
cultivate a good character. Masatomo’s values and precepts are Sumitomo’s cherished
inheritance, constituting the essence of Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy—eschewing easy gains,
ensuring compliance, and emphasizing integrity and sound management.
Masatomo Sumitomo
(1585-1652)
Born in Maruoka in Echizen (present-day Fukui Prefecture) in 1585, Masatomo is thought to have
moved to Kyoto as a lad of about 12 years of age. He became a disciple of Kugen, the patriarch
of Nehan-shu (Nirvana school), and received a Buddhist name, Monjuin Kakyu. However,
returning to the secular world in his mid-40s, he owned and managed a shop selling medicine
and books, and was also a publisher. At the age of 63, he built a retreat near the Seiryo-ji Temple
in Saga, Kyoto, and retired there. He died in 1652 at the age of 68. Even after he left the
monastery for the world of commerce, people gathered around Masatomo to receive his
guidance. He left a large body of writings addressed to such seekers after wisdom, including
Monjuin Shiigaki (Founder’s Precepts) and Ikai (Instructions to Descendants). Masatomo’s
teachings are cherished as part of the invaluable inheritance of the Sumitomo Group that has
guided us down to the present and continues to illuminate our path to the future.

The Sumitomo Spirit grew out of the guiding principles set down by Sumitomo founder
Masatomo Sumitomo in his “Monjuin Shiigaki”.
The Sumitomo Spirit grew out of the guiding principles set down by Sumitomo founder
Masatomo Sumitomo in his "Monjuin Shiigaki" (the Aphorisms of Monjuin). This corporate spirit
has been developed, deepened, and handed down over generations in the Sumitomo Family
enterprise, and its essence was distilled in the Rules Governing the Sumitomo family established
in 1882, and formulated into two business principles in 1891. Although there were some
corrections to the wording, the Business Principles have been inherited with no change in the
contents up to now.
Business Principles
Article 1
Sumitomo shall achieve prosperity based on solid foundation by placing prime importance on
integrity and sound management in the conduct of its business.
Article 2
Sumitomo’s business interest must always be in harmony with public interest; Sumitomo shall
adapt to good times and bad times but will not pursue immoral business.
信用確実 Shinyo-kakujitsu

“Place importance on integrity and sound management.”

The Business Principles Article 1 emphasizes the importance of integrity; that is, being worthy of
the trust of others.

萬事入精 Banji-nissei

“Do your sincere best in not only business but also every aspect of your life.”
Banji-nissei means “do your sincere best, not only in business, but also in every aspect of your
life. ”Originating from the preamble of Monjuin Shiigaki, it speaks of the importance of sincerity
in all human endeavors. Banji-nissei is a pivotal teaching in the Sumitomo Spirit. Accordingly,
Sumitomo personnel are expected to work not only to make money, but also to cultivate their
character and grow into better human beings.

不趨浮利 Fusu-furi

“Do not act rashly or carelessly in pursuit of immoral business.”

In its first part, Article 2 speaks of the importance of working proactively, pursuing profit by
quickly and appropriately responding to changes in society and not being content with the status
quo. At the same time, Article 2 emphasizes the importance of harmonizing business gains with
the public interest and scorns reckless or careless actions in pursuit of easy gain. While furi means
easy, temporary or short-term gain, the term also implies unfair profit obtained through
dishonest means.

Business Philosophy
Place prime importance on integrity and sound management; don't pursue immoral business.
The Aphorisms of Monjuin (Monjuin Shiigaki)
The origin of Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy can be traced back to The Aphorisms of Monjuin
(Monjuin Shiigaki), an instructional missive that Masatomo Sumitomo, the founder of the
Sumitomo family business, bequeathed to posterity some 350 years ago.
In his later years, Masatomo resided in a hermitage, leading a life that sought to combine both
the spiritual and the worldly aspects of existence. In letters and other writings, he offered
admonitions and instructions to his family and followers on how to do business and how to lead
a worthy life. The Aphorisms of Monjuin, consisting of five articles, plainly communicates proper
business values and practices. These teachings have been handed down from generation to
generation as precepts of the Sumitomo family.
The business posture advocated in these teachings of according prime importance to integrity
and avoiding pursuit of immoral business is the essence of Sumitomo's Business Philosophy.
Long-range Planning and Entrepreneurship

Shisakajima smelter
For many years, Sumitomo’s businesses were closely related to operation of the Besshi Cooper
Mine. The Business Philosophy developed during that time encourages long-term planning in all
things and the patience to persist with endeavors even if results are not achieved immediately.

The Sumitomo philosophy can be summed up in a tenet repeated by successive heads of the
company: “We should plan our business on a long-term basis so as to benefit the country.” This
philosophy has long influenced many of Sumitomo’s major projects, such as the relocation of a
copper smelter to Shisakajima to eliminate smoke pollution, a reforestation project at the Besshi
Copper Mine, and the Niihama harbor construction project.