Fusajiro Yamauchi

Fusajiro Yamauchi is the founder of the company that is now known as Nintendo Company Limited. Yamauchi lived in Kyoto, Japan, and had a daughter, Tei Yamauchi, who married Sekiryo Kaneda.

Business

Fusajiro Yamauchi began his business, called Nintendo Koppai, in 1889. The company made playing cards. The cards, known as hanafuda or daitoryo or president, were produced in decks. A deck contained 48 cards, and Fusajiro Yamauchi's company hand made each card using bark from mulberry or mitsu-mata trees. Fusajiro sold the cards in two shops, one in Kyoto, Japan, and one in Osaka, Japan. Fusajero's company grew, and eventually Fusajiro had to hire assistants to produce enough cards.

In 1907, Fusajero expanded his company to produce western playing cards, which are the standard 52 card decks with clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades. Fusajero also partnered with the Japan Tobacco & Salt Public Corporation to sell his cards in their stores.

Retirement

In 1929, Fusajiro retired. His son-in-law, Sekiryo Yamauchi took over his company.

Descendants

Fusajiro is the great-great-grandfather of former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi.