About the Foundation

History of Establishment

About Us

The Yokohama Memorial Kanazawa Cultural Foundation was established based on a donation from Shigeo Yokohama, the founder of Yokohama Steel Co., Ltd., and the company itself.
Shigeo Yokohama was born in Higashibaba-cho, Kanazawa City. He graduated from Ishikawa Prefectural Kanazawa Third Junior High School (now Ishikawa Prefectural Kanazawa Sakuragaoka High School). After working at Osaka Steel Co., Ltd., he became president of Yokohama Steel Co., Ltd. when it was founded. He also served as an officer of the Kansai Ishikawa Prefectural Association and as the president of the Osaka Sanohkai Alumni Association, his former high school’s alumni group. As his business thrived and he reached his 77th birthday, he decided to donate 100 million yen (50 million yen from himself and 50 million yen from the company) to Kanazawa City, with the wish to preserve and pass down Kanazawa’s traditional culture to future generations.
Kanazawa City used this donation to establish the Kanazawa Cultural Foundation in 1991.
Later, in 2012, it transitioned to a public interest foundation, which continues to operate to this day.

Mr. Shigeo Yokohama

Born in Kanazawa City
1914 - 2000

Biography of Shigeo Yokohama

1914

February
Born in Kanazawa
He spent his childhood at his home in Higashiyama, where he often witnessed traditional performing arts, especially the Geigi culture, in the Higashi Chaya District.

1920

March
Graduated from Ishikawa Prefectural Kanazawa Third Junior High School (now Ishikawa Prefectural Kanazawa Sakuragaoka High School)

April
Enrolled in Hikone Higher Commercial School (now the Faculty of Economics, Shiga University)

1935

April
Started working at Osaka Central Wholesale Market.
After leaving the market, joined Osaka Steel Co., Ltd.

1945

August
Retired from Osaka Steel Co., Ltd.

1947

March
Founded Daisan Shokai

1948

October
Founded Yokohama Steel Co., Ltd. and became the CEO

1968

Elected President of the Osaka Sanohkai (the alumni association of Ishikawa Prefectural Kanazawa Third Junior High School and Ishikawa Prefectural Kanazawa Sakuragaoka High School)

1991

March
Appointed Chairman of the Board of Yokohama Steel Co., Ltd.
Donated 100 million yen to Kanazawa City

September
Appointed Vice President of the Kanazawa Cultural Foundation

2000

July
Passed away. Received a token of admiration from Kanazawa City