| In August, 1946, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical employee Toru Takijiri
stepped off the train at Osaka Station for the first time in seven
years. At that time the barracks area around the station were crowded
and the vitality of the common people was wrapped in a breathless
enthusiasm. The people were just starting to open their eyes from
their stunned post-war state.
 In
front of the new Kobayashi Daiyakubo office, people were rejoicing
and hugging each other. "Ohc You're okay!", "What
a relief!" was heard over and over. Everywhere, people who
had been away from home for several years at least - even more than
10 years - were returning after spending time on a foreign battlefield.
In this time, no one rejoiced with more abandon than Saburo. He
was overjoyed to see the employees that his predecessor Kichitaro
had nurtured returning safely. "Come on, rest here a while.
If you have nowhere else to go, come stay with us," he would
always say to returning employees. Takijiri also stayed at Saburo's
residence for over a month. But for almost seven months, "Rest
your body" was his sole responsibility, but by mid-September,
he had started to think he was of no use to the company.
Then one day, Saburo called on Takijiri. "Finally some work,"
he was thinking as he approached Saburo's desk. "Takijiri,
will you go to Tokyo for me?" It didn't seem like a particularly
important request. Saburo went on matter-of-factly to explain, "Go
to Tokyo, and see what's happening, especially in wholesale and
retail." It didn't even occur to Takijiri that this was the
first step towards Daiyakubo's advance on Tokyo, and the establishment
of Tokyo Kobayashi Daiyakubo. Furthermore, in Doshomachi to expand
into Tokyo was taboo at the time.
At the end of October, Takijiri headed for Tokyo alone. As instructed
by Saburo, he began investigating how Daiyakubo products were selling
in Tokyo, and he reported back every day.
The Kobayashi Daiyakubo name had penetrated further than they expected.
"Hakkiri" and "Shouni Kazegusuri" were in stock
at wholesalers and getting good reception. Also with products like
"Tamushi Chinki" and "Uikakusan" from sister
company Nagoya Kobayashi Daiyakubo (branched off in 1946), the Kobayashi
name was well recognized. Takijiri's last report said, "Current
status: Even if I'm here in Tokyo, there's nothing I have to do.
We have a great opportunity to expand into Tokyo. So, whether a
subsidiary or a branch office, we need to open an office here."
Without waiting for a call, Takijiri boarded a train for Osaka
to go for Saburo's instructions.
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