Seita Kumura - Seita Kumura

Businessman. Born in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. Enrolled in the Department of Applied Chemistry at the College of Technology, Tokyo Imperial University in 1903 (Meiji 36). While at university, he became involved with Taiyo Leather Manufacturing and conducted research on leather. In 1907, he dropped out of university. After obtaining a patent for matte leather, he became acquainted with Kaneko Naokichi of Suzuki Shoten and participated in the establishment of Tokyo Leather Limited Partnership Company. In 1908, the company was merged with Azuma Leather Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Suzuki Shoten, and he became its chief engineer. Engaged in research into viscose, he focused on the industrialization of artificial silk thread, and assisted his schoolmate Hata Itsuzo in his research into rayon, forming a tie-up with the company. In 1918 (Taisho 7), he was appointed director at the founding of Teikoku Rayon Co., Ltd. (now Teijin), and in 1934 (Showa 9), he became president, and in 1945 (Showa 20), he became chairman. He also served as chairman of the Chemical Fiber Association.

[Maeda Kazutoshi]

“Seita Kumura” by Fumio Niwa (1955, Imperial Artificial Silk)”

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

実業家。山形県酒田に生まれる。1903年（明治36）東京帝国大学工科大学応用化学科入学。在学中太陽レザー製造所に関係し、レザーの研究にあたる。07年大学を中退。つや消しレザーの特許取得を縁に鈴木商店の金子直吉の知遇を得、東京レザー合資会社の設立に参加。08年同社が鈴木商店の子会社東(あずま)レザー株式会社に合併されるや技師長となる。ビスコースの研究に取り組んで人造絹糸の工業化に着目し、学友秦逸三(はたいつぞう)の人絹研究を援助してタイアップする。18年（大正7）帝国人造絹糸株式会社（現帝人）の創立とともに取締役、34年（昭和9）社長、45年（昭和20）会長に就任。化繊協会会長を務めた。

［前田和利］

『丹羽文雄著『久村清太』（1955・帝国人造絹糸）』

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