Tomita Heritage
Founded in Kyobashi
Hikoshiro Tomita, the founder, moves from Kyoto to Tokyo and opens a wholesale house in Kyobashi, dealing in kinran-donsu, the brocade used to mount hanging scrolls, and in fusuma paper. Tomita Shoten Co., Ltd. is established in 1944, and the second generation, Shozo Tomita, makes fusuma and helps rebuild after the war.
- First generation
- Hikoshiro Tomita
A window on the world
Shoichi Tomita, of the third generation and now Chairman, plays ice hockey for Japan at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics. Travelling abroad, he encounters the interiors of other countries and resolves to bring their beauty home.
- Third generation
- Shoichi Tomita
The first original collection
In the year of the Tokyo Olympics, Tomita launches its first original wallcovering collection. By 1967 it is among the first to import wallcoverings from around the world, helping to introduce international interiors to Japan.
- Imported from
- Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Holland, America
The great fabric houses
Exquisite European fabrics, unknown in Japan, are discovered on travels abroad. Tomita begins importing the leading European fabric brands directly.
- A new line
- European fabrics, imported directly
Japan Collection
Known as an importer, Tomita also takes Japan’s traditional culture and sense of beauty outward, exporting its Japan Collection internationally.
- Direction
- From Japan to the world
Kozo
Tomita develops Japan’s first washi wallcovering collection and launches Kozo. Original collections such as Texture and Color follow, made for the needs of their time.
- A first
- Japan’s first washi wallcovering collection
Wallcoverings that return to the earth
As environmentally conscious wallcoverings appear worldwide, Tomita is among the first to bring Germany’s biodegradable wallcoverings to Japan, and later launches its own Eco Standard.
- Original collection
- Eco Standard
Italian furniture
The owner-designer of a leading Italian furniture house takes an interest in Japanese washi and gold leaf. A shared philosophy of making leads Tomita to represent fine Italian furniture.
- Shared ground
- A philosophy of making
Art Wall Legend
Hiromasa Tomita, of the fourth generation and now President, works with Japanese makers to create Art Wall Legend: handmade wall materials in washi, gold and silver leaf. Tomita’s original collections are now exported to more than thirty countries.
- Fourth generation
- Hiromasa Tomita
tomita TOKYO
Tomita returns to Kyobashi, where it began, and opens its flagship showroom, tomita TOKYO.
- Address
- Kyobashi 2-2-1, Tokyo
One hundred years
In April, Tomita marks a century since its founding, with the same philosophy it started with: to contribute to creating comfortable spaces for each and every customer. In 2025, Kozo VI is awarded the Grand Prix at JCD Product of the Year.
- Since then
- Grand Prix, JCD Product of the Year 2025
“To contribute to creating comfortable spaces for each and every customer.” The philosophy Tomita was founded on, unchanged since 1923.
Looking to the next hundred years, we will keep evolving alongside our founding philosophy: building trust with our partners, making without compromise, and valuing every new encounter.