AURORA Co., Ltd.|HISTORY

1896	Foundation of WAKABAYASHI STORE (The root of Aurora Co., Ltd.). The founder Mr. Yoshinosuke WAKABAYASHI started western umbrella distribution business.
1920	Started to make deals with department stores in Japan.
1939	Started to sell in the domestic first manufactured folding umbrella product, which was developed by Makabe store. Silk panel umbrella for men, whose woody shaft is bendable in half along with its handle.
1949	Started neck accessories (scarves and stoles) business.
1952	Developed the first domestic nylon walking umbrella. Working together with Toyo rayon (Current TORAY Industries, INC.) for 3 years produced a great result, received attention in the industry.
1955	Visit Europe and United States of America as inspection. President Mitsuzo WAKABAYASHI visited Europe and USA for the inspection as the umbrella industry's 1st person after World War II.
1971	License agreement conclusion as the domestic industry’s first. Technical cooperation for umbrella with Pierre Cardin and for scarf with Pierre Balmain.
1972	Started to sell walking umbrella of Pierre Cardin. New wave ushered in the umbrella industry.
1988	Started to sell walking umbrellas of “KENZO” with floral handles.
1993	Company name changed to “Aurora Co., Ltd.”
1994	Started hat business.
1998	Started “BORSALINO” business.
2007	Took over men’s business from AuBEX CORPORATION, started the business. Established BORSALINO JAPAN Co., Ltd.
2012	Started to sell umbrellas used TORAY SUMMER SHIELD fabric. Cooperate with TORAY Industries, INC, and sold the parasols, which were provided UV/Sun shield/heat insulating.
2016	We registered AURORA HOUSE CHECK to celebrate the 120th anniversary of our foundation. Aurora house check umbrella, clothing, hat launched
2021	Head office relocated to Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo