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Tomita
Tomita Shoten in Kyobashi, in black and white

Kyobashi, Tokyo · Since 1923

A century of Tomita

From a small wholesale house in Kyobashi to original Japanese wallcoverings admired around the world.

1923

Founded in Kyobashi

Hikoshiro Tomita moved from Kyoto to Tokyo and opened a wholesale house in Kyobashi, dealing in kinran-donsu, the brocade used to mount hanging scrolls, and fusuma paper. In 1944 it became Tomita Shoten, and the second generation, Shozo Tomita, carried it through the postwar years.

The old Tomita Shoten signboard, 富田商店, in carved wood

1960

A wider world

Shoichi Tomita, the third generation, played ice hockey for Japan at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. What he saw abroad led to Tomita’s first original wallcovering collection in 1964, and from 1967 to wallcoverings brought to Japan from around the world.

Shoichi Tomita in ice hockey goalkeeper equipment, 1960
An earlier Tomita showroom, from the archive
Tomita’s Wallpaper, a sample book of 1967–68
Tomita Shoten in the 1970s, cars along the street
Rain on the street outside, cars parked along the kerb

1972–82

From Japan to the world, and back

In 1972 the business took the name Tomita and opened a showroom in Kyobashi. Relationships with Europe’s leading fabric houses followed in 1979, and in 1982 the Japan Collection began taking Japanese materials and sensibilities abroad.

1988–2007

Making what did not yet exist

In 1988 Tomita made the first Kozo washi wallcovering collection, bringing handmade Japanese paper to architectural interiors. In 2007 the fourth generation, Hiromasa Tomita, created Art Wall Legend with Japanese makers, combining washi and metal leaf.

A tall panel of green Kozo washi in a showroom window
Kyobashi Edogrand, home of tomita TOKYO, lit at dusk
Inside tomita TOKYO
The lounge at tomita TOKYO
tomita TOKYO at night

2016–now

Returning to Kyobashi

In 2016 Tomita opened its flagship showroom, tomita TOKYO, in the district where the company began. It celebrated its centenary in 2023, and in 2025 Kozo VI received the Grand Prix at JCD Product of the Year.

Visit the showroom

One hundred years

The chronology

  1. 1923Hikoshiro Tomita establishes the business in Kyobashi
  2. 1944Tomita Shoten Co., Ltd. is established
  3. 1960Shoichi Tomita represents Japan at the Winter Olympics
  4. 1964The first original wallcovering collection
  5. 1967International wallcoverings brought into Japan
  6. 1972Renamed Tomita; the Kyobashi showroom opens
  7. 1979Relationships with European fabric houses begin
  8. 1982The Japan Collection takes Japanese design abroad
  9. 1988Kozo, the first washi wallcovering collection
  10. 1993Biodegradable wallcoverings introduced
  11. 2003Italian furniture joins the offering
  12. 2007Art Wall Legend, made with Japanese artisans
  13. 2016tomita TOKYO opens in Kyobashi
  14. 2023Tomita celebrates one hundred years
  15. 2025Kozo VI, Grand Prix at JCD Product of the Year

Tomita · Since 1923

To contribute to creating comfortable spaces for each and every customer.

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