20-Year Reunion: EC Pioneers Gather for "EC Grand Reunion"!

TakeTora (operated by Yamagishi Bamboo Material Store Co., Ltd.), a specialized bamboo material manufacturer that has been serving customers since its founding in 1894 (Meiji 27) as a wholesaler of bamboo materials and products, announced that the "20 Years Later, Meet the Friends of That Day. The Last EC Grand Reunion," for which our representative director and president, Yoshihiro Yamagishi (TakeTora 4th Generation), serves as an executive committee member, will be held for two days from September 12 (Sat) to 13 (Sun), 2026, at Resort Hotel Seaside Fruit Garden in Konan City, Kochi Prefecture.

20 Years Later, Meet the Friends of That Day. The Last EC Grand Reunion

https://daidousokai2026.peatix.com/

While we are a bamboo material specialty store with over 130 years of tradition, we have actively engaged in EC since the dawn of the internet mail order era, continuing our journey as pioneers of online shops challenging from regional areas to the national level. The origin of this endeavor was the "e-Merchant Training School" held in Kochi.

At that time, business owners gathered from all over the country learned not only website creation and online sales techniques under the guidance of Principal Eiji Kishimoto, but also the mindset of merchants and a challenging spirit, growing while inspiring each other. Furthermore, encounters with many friends, including Mr. Shigeo Morimoto, have become a great asset supporting each of their businesses.

Fueled by that learning, TakeTora has continued sales centered on its own EC site, and has expanded its business with the aspiration of "from regional areas to the nation, and then to the world," while also challenging new information dissemination methods such as video streaming and social media. This Grand Reunion was planned out of a desire to express our gratitude to the friends with whom we have shared this journey, and to Mr. Kishimoto and Mr. Morimoto who supported us during the dawn of the EC era.

The event will focus on interaction with friends reuniting after 20 years, providing time to share updates on each other's lives and future dreams. It aims to be a cross-generational gathering place where participants can share not only business stories but also tales of failure and discussions on succession training, and the lives they have each led.

As a special program, we will host a special lecture by Mr. Taiyo Sumi, who has served as an instructor for many years since the early days of the e-Merchant Training School and has guided numerous online shop operators. The lecture will be themed "The Mechanism of Attracting Customers with AI That Changes the Common Sense of Selling." Especially now, as the EC environment undergoes significant changes, the content will allow participants to take home not only nostalgic memories but also lessons for the new era.

【Event Overview】

Date: September 12 (Sat), 2026, 13:00 - September 13 (Sun), 2026, 11:00

Venue: Resort Hotel Seaside Fruit Garden (Konan City, Kochi Prefecture)

Content: Networking event, reception party, special lecture by Mr. Taiyo Sumi "The Mechanism of Attracting Customers with AI That Changes the Common Sense of Selling"

Ticket Sales Period: Until August 31 (Mon), 2026, 23:59

*Advance registration is required to participate. Please check the event page for details.

We hope this Grand Reunion will be not only a place for old friends to reunite but also an opportunity to pass on the history of the EC pioneers who walked together in Japan's EC dawn to the next generation. Furthermore, by practicing the belief that one can challenge the nation even from a regional area, we will re-disseminate the importance of "human connections" and "learning" that formed our origins, and connect the progress of Japan's EC industry to the future.

<Announcement Date: June 29 (Mon), 2026>

20 Years Later, Meet the Friends of That Day. The Last EC Grand Reunion

https://daidousokai2026.peatix.com/

TakeTora (Yamagishi Bamboo Material Store Co., Ltd.)

Company Name: TakeTora, Yamagishi Bamboo Material Store Co., Ltd. Location: 913-1 Anno, Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture (Head Office/Main Store) Representative Director: Yoshihiro Yamagishi Founded: 1894 (Meiji 27) Capital: 10 million yen Business Description: Manufacturing, wholesale, and sales of specialty tiger-striped bamboo (torafudake) and other bamboo crafts, bamboo products, bamboo charcoal, bamboo vinegar, etc. URL: https://www.taketora.co.jp/ *Kochi Family Health Management Award 2021 *Reiwa 2nd Year Hometown Creation Award, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Prize *7th Ministry of the Environment Good Life Award, Environmental Regional Branding Prize *RED BULL BOX CART RACE TOKYO 2019 Runner-up *33rd Kochi Prefecture Local Industry Award, Kochi Prefecture Local Industry Encouragement Prize

Contact for this Press Release

TakeTora (Yamagishi Bamboo Material Store Co., Ltd.) TakeTora 4th Generation (Yoshihiro Yamagishi) E-Mail: info@taketora.co.jp <Head Office> TakeTora Co., Ltd. Yamagishi Bamboo Material Store 〒785-0024 913-1 Anno, Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture TEL 0889-42-3201 FAX 0889-42-3283 (Business Hours 9:00-17:30)