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Ômura Hikotarô was the founder of [[Shirokiya]], a lumber, textiles, sundries, and dry goods store which survives today as a modern department store.

Ômura Hikotarô was the founder of [[Shirokiya]], a lumber, textiles, sundries, and dry goods store which survives today as a modern department store.

He was born in [[Nagahama]], in [[Omi province|Ômi province]], in [[1636]]. After the death of his father Dôyo (道与), he and his brother Saburô were raised within their mother's family, but by the age of 17 or 18, Hikotarô was already running a lumber store in Kyoto. In addition to lumber, he sold a number of other goods, including [[brocade]] fabrics; he called his shop "Shirokiya," and as a result, came to be known himself as Shirokiya Hikotarô.

He was born in [[Nagahama]], in [[Omi province|Ômi province]], in [[1636]]. After the death of his father Dôyo (道与), he and his brother Saburô were raised within their mother's family, but by the age of 17 or 18, Hikotarô was already running a lumber store in Kyoto. In addition to lumber, he sold a number of other goods, including [[brocade]] fabrics; he called his shop "Shirokiya" (lit. "white wood shop") and as a result, came to be known himself as Shirokiya Hikotarô.

In [[1662]], Hikotarô opened a sundries store on [[Nihonbashi]]-dôri in [[Edo]]. For about 20 years, he worked to ensure the financial security of his children, heirs to his business, by expanding the business. He began dealing more in fabrics and garments, becoming a "dry goods" store.

In [[1662]], Hikotarô opened a sundries store on [[Nihonbashi]]-dôri in [[Edo]]. For about 20 years, he worked to ensure the financial security of his children, heirs to his business, by expanding the business. He began dealing more in fabrics and garments, becoming a "dry goods" store.