Hiroshima NeedleHiroshima Needle Industry Cooperative Association

Hiroshima, the Place of Largest Production of Needles in Japan

The history of manufacturing of Hiroshima Needle started over 300 years ago with the dissemination of needle production to lower rank samurai throughout the Domain of Lord Asano. Since that time, it has become a local industry through improvement of quality and more efficient manufacturing.

In the Edo Era, the district “Kake” about 50km upstream of the Ota River flowing into Hiroshima Bay was the “center of tatara iron manufacturing” in the north of Aki, ranking alongside “Izumo” located in a large sand iron region of the Chugoku Mountainous Land. The local businesses enjoyed prosperity by collecting necessary materials from various districts by water transportation on the Ota River and as the collection center of iron manufactured by “tatara iron manufacturing” to be sent to Hiroshima. Hiroshima needles have developed by carrying the iron manufactured by “tatara iron manufacturing” using sand iron from Kake as raw materials to the present day Hiroshima-shi, using water transportation on the Ota River and processing into needles.
Within the Hiroshima Domain that monopolized the iron, a local industry “making the needles” started and now Hiroshima is the largest production center for hand sewing needles and dress pins, accounting for over 90% of the production amount in Japan.

Hand sewing needle

Dress pin

Upper stage of exhibits: ”Hiroshima needle” products

Hiroshima Needle Industry Cooperative Association supports development of “needle” products, utilizing the traditional skills of “Hiroshima needle.” These exhibits are examples of new products of the member companies of the Association.

◯Needle hole for smooth string passage
◯A body that is difficult to break and bends moderately
◯Needle tip with smooth cloth passage