Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho’s party headed to the fish cake restaurant called Ige, located near the Kannai Station.

“Wow. So this restaurant has been in business for more than 100 years, huh?”

“This restaurant actually started its business in Meiji 36 (year 1903). Isn’t it amazing?”

The dishes that the restaurant offered were simple and neat. Dishes such as minced chicken, boiled radish, and fish cakes must be very appealing, especially to old people. That was probably why Mr. Sakata Ikuzo wanted to come to this restaurant for dinner that day.

“How come the color of this cooked rice is not white?”

“Because it’s Chameshi (tea rice). They used tea in cooking the rice, instead of plain water.”

“That’s why…”

Mr. Sakata Ikuzo asked Jong-Suk, “So, you quit your job with GH Mobile, and opened your own business— GH Machines?”

“Yes, I did, sir. Mr. President Goo invested 80% of the fund in establishing the company, and I invested 20% which is the portion of my ownership interest. We are building machines for Dyeon Korea.”

“Oh, those machines that Dyeon Korea is using? It’s probably impossible to build those machines without twin screws.”

“We import twin screws from the U.S. And, we buy other necessary parts domestically.”

“Oh, I see. Then it makes sense. But, it’s very unusual if Lymondell Dyeon disclosed the factory where they buy the twin screws, did they?”

“We actually figured it out on our own, which was not easy as you expected. I believe we are paying a higher price than Lymondell Dyeon in purchasing those twin screws. But, we are trying to save production costs by reducing the cost from labor and other machine parts.”

“Hmm, I see. Which company do you buy those screws from?”

“It’s West Moulding in Seattle in the U.S.”

Mr. Sakata Ikuzo nodded his head.

Gun-Ho said to Mr. Sakata Ikuzo, “These fish cakes are light but very tasty. I do like this rice that is cooked with tea as well, not to mention these pickled cabbage and miso soup.”

“Haha, really? I’m glad that you like the food here. Please have some more,” Mr. Sakata Ikuzo continued, “Mr. President Goo, do you intend to acquire Miura Machines’ equipment?”

“Well, I need to hear first what President Jong-Suk Park thinks about it before I can make my decision. I’m a businessman, not an engineer. I need to hear an opinion from an expert in machines and relevant technology.”

Jong-Suk chipped in as he finished his fish cake soup, “It is almost an automated manufacturing facility. If I get some time to learn how to operate it, I think I can handle those machines and productions. I was very impressed when I heard that most of the machines in the factory were manufactured in-house, especially because all of the workers there are all seniors.”

“Miura Machines’ President Tsuyoshi-shi Miura grew up in a poor family just like I did. Dakai No Sedai (baby boomer generation) like us had lived in an era where everything was insufficient, even basic commodities. Life at the time for many of us was harsh. Tsuyoshi-shi started his career in that company right out of a technical high school as a trainee. Trainees in those days were not treated with respect, and he learned work skills there as he worked. In working and learning as a trainee at a factory, physical punishment from his boss or other workers who came before him was common. He was often beaten up.”

“He was beaten up at work?”

“Physical punishment is no longer allowed in our society, but it was commonly used as one of the effective methods to teach someone. Especially in a work environment where safety issues are critical because people have to work with machines, it was common. If you are not being highly cautious in handling machines, you can get injured severely. That’s why it was usual that you get slapped in the face if you make a mistake while working.”

“Is that right?”

“As I said, that sort of physical discipline is no longer allowed under any circumstances these days. If you hit someone at work to teach him a lesson, that worker will definitely quit the job right away and go home. Haha.”

“Well, I believe that the worker who was beaten wouldn’t just quit and go home, but he will kick the shin of that person who hit him first.”

Mr. Sakata Ikuzo scooped his miso soup with his spoon and tasted it deliciously, and then he asked Gun-Ho, “Mr. President Goo, do you happen to know the Korean businessman in the cotton-spinning industry— Gaab-Ho Seo?”

“Gaab-Ho Seo? It doesn’t ring a bell.”

“He was the president of Sakamoto Spinning Company.”

“Sakamoto Spinning Company? Is it a Japanese firm?”

“No, it was a Korean company located in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul City. It was later renamed to Banglim Spinning Company though.”

“It’s my first time hearing the name— Banglim Spinning Company.”

“Well, I understand that since you were probably too young to remember when that company was in business. Do you then know Time Square in Yeongdeungpo District?”

“Of course I do. I used to buy clothes and stuff in that area.”

“Banglim Spinning Company used to be there before.”

“Really?”

“The reason why I brought up Mr. Gaab-Ho Seo is that he learned skills in the cotton spinning industry while working in a spinning mill in Japan, and he was often physically punished by other Japanese workers as well.”

“Hmm, really?”

“When he finally became a president of his own business, his body was already covered with scars from being beaten by a leather belt. He described his scars as that they looked like centipedes crawling on his body.”

“Is that a true story?”

“Mr. Gaab-Ho Seo had come to Japan by himself during the Japanese colonial era and learned cotton spinning skills while working at a spinning mill in Osaka City. You probably remember when I said Isshokenmei (I would put everything into this to the extent that I risk my life). Mr. Gaab-Ho Seo was actually the person who practiced that before I did. He eventually became the president of Sakamoto Spinning Company in Osaka City, Japan, and he later established Banglim Spinning Company in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul City.”

“I see.”

“I believe that for a person who has a strong will to learn a certain skill that he wants, getting beaten up wouldn’t be a high price to pay for it. Tsuyoshi-shi paid that price to come this far, and he is now aged, and he needs dialysis regularly because of his kidney failure. And he is selling his machines as a consequence. This makes me sad greatly. And, I’m hoping that President Jong-Suk Park, who was my favorite apprentice, will take over his machines and technology.”

“Hmm.”

Mr. Sakata Ikuzo continued, “I saw my good friend— Tsuyoshi-shi Miura— shedding tears when he told me that he would have to sell his machines and close his business. I broke into tears as well at that time.”

Gun-Ho and Jong-Suk Park closed their eyes simultaneously. And, they both thought about the situation where they had to sell the production machines in GH Mobile or GH Machines. They both were sure that they would shed tears as well.

Solemn silence filled the air for a while after Mr. Sakata Ikuzo talked about President Miura’s situation and his tears. The four men at the table all ate fish cake without saying a word.

After a while, Mr. Yoshitaka Matsui finally tried to lift the mood. He said with a broad smile after wiping off his mouth with a napkin, “Every time I look at Mr. Sakata Ikuzo or President Jong-Suk Park, I think of a Samurai. You two remind me of a Samurai. It’s not any Samurai, but the legendary samurai— Miyamoto Musashi who was the best swordsman in Japan.”

Mr. Ikuzo laughed out loud and said, “I love and admire the Meijin (master) of Niten Ichiryu (double-bladed swordsmanship)— Miyamoto Musashi.”

After lunch, they dropped Mr. Sakata Ikuzo at his home in Motomachi first.

“We are now heading back to our hotel.”

“Are you going back to Korea tomorrow?”

“No. We still have one more night, and we are planning to visit Tokyo for a tour. President Jong-Suk Park has never been to Tokyo before. I want to show him the city. Why don’t you join us, Mr. Sakata Ikuzo?”

Mr. Sakata Ikuzo replied, “Haha. I’m good. Thank you. I will rather stay home. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip in Japan.”

“Thank you.”

“If you decide to acquire Miura Machines, please just let me know.”

“I will do that. We want to review the possibility once we go back to Korea first.”

Gun-Ho, Jong-Suk Park, and Yoshitaka Matsui headed to Royal Park Hotel that was overlooking Yokohama Port.