1931

大阪市、電気局、木津谷紹介リーフレット

木津谷局長が洋行するにあたり大阪市、電気局、木津谷本人を紹介するためのリーフレットを作成した。

木津谷は本リーフを持参の上、ミュンヘンのドイツ博物館を訪問したようで、2016年頃にドイツ博物館からその収蔵資料について問い合わせがあった。ドイツ博物館のアーカイブ機能に、さすが、と驚いたできごとだった。

下記文書には誤字、脱字があるので要注意である。

なお、木津谷本人についての情報はこの文書によるところが大きい。

p.7

Mr. Eisaburo Kizutani,

Director of The Electric Light Department of

The Bureau of Electricity, City of Osaka,

who is soon to leave on a tour of

Europe and America.

By N. Fujii

President of the Electrical Review Co.

Mr. Eisaburo Kizutani, Director of the Electric Light Department

of the Bureau of Electricity, City of Osaka, having recently been

ordered by the Mayor of Osaka, in pursuance of a resolution of

the Municipal Assembly, to set forth on a tour of observation to

the principal countries of Europe and America, is now busily engaged

in view of the heavy

in making preparations for the journey.

responsibility resting upon him as the directing force in the electric light

and power service of so large a city as Osaka, the necessity of

safeguarding against any lapse in the discharge of his public duties

during his absence of many months must indeed entail much careful

And the citizens of Osaka, appreciative

planning and arduous work.

of his many years of service to the city, are looking forward to

Knowing

making his impending trip abroad a memorable one.

the man as they do, they confidently anticipate that his observations

abroad will be productive of numerous improvements in the electrical

service of the city; and this anticipation is shared by the citizens of

the two neighboring cities, Kyoto and Kobe, whose interests are so

It must be said, in short,

intimately allied with those of Osaka.

that Mr. Kizutani's trip abroad is one fraught with much significance.

ｐ8-9

Osaka City Hall

Each spring, as the cherries burst into full bloom throughout

the Empire, throngs of visitors from abroad who come to Kyoto to

witness the traditional " Cherry Dance " are received with open hearts

by the people of that ancient capitol. And the cities of Osaka and

Kobe accord them a no less enthusiastic welcome.

Mr. Kizutani

who, by reason of his official position, has a]ways played a promi-

nent part in the arrangement of Osaka's reception to her foreign

guests, is about to embark on a voyage that will take him to many

distant countries. He who has so long played the role of host to

strangers will himself become for a time a guest among strangers.

Sensing the earnest desire of the people of Osaka. Kobe and

Kyoto to bespeak for Mr. Kizutani every opportunity and convenience

which our friends of other countries might be pleased to extend to

him to facilitate the complete fulfilment of his present mission, we

beg to present, through this pamphlet, a brief summary of his per-

sonal history and to introduce the man, his personality and character,

as well as the matters which constitute the object of his trip. May

it please our esteemed friends abroad in whose hands this little

volume is placed to extend to him a kindly hand in the pursuit of

his objective. Your kind assistance and cooperation will insure, not

on]y to Mr. Kizutani's personal good fortune, but to the good of all

the people of Osaka.

(The Electrical Review Company, the publisher of this pamphlet,

is an organ of the electrical industry with headquarters in Kyoto, and

with branch offices in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe.

It is an honor

indeed to pay this tribute to the man who has made such marked con-

tributions to the industry).

Childhood and Youth.

It must be stated at the outset that Mr. Kizutani's childhood was

one of many misfortunes. When he was thirteen years old his

mother died ; and four years later, his father followed her to the

grave. Left an orphan at seventeen, he was taken in hand by his

father's friend, Mr. Rinsaburo Imanishi (Vice-President of the Osaka

Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Comforted and encouraged

by his guardian, the boy upon graduation from the middle school,

matriculated in the First Higher Commercial School (now the Uni-

versity of Commerce).

Originally the Kizutani family had engaged in the business of

wholesale dealers on consignment under- the trade name " Kizuya ".

It later widened its business to include the handling of marine pro-

ducts, and enjoyed a high reputation among the fellow-traders of

Utsubo (a district in Osaka in which the marine product business is

centered ). Another phase of its business was trade with China, a

phase which held promise of great development in the future. But

upon the sudden death of Kizutani senior, and the successor a school

boy of only seventeen, not only was the Kizuya forced to close shop,

So the young boy, his

but the Kizutani family itself faced ruin.

determination to restore the family to its former affluence stirred up

by Mr. Imanishi's encouragement, was destined to taste all the bitters

of life. After his graduation from the Higher Commercial School

in 1909, he for a short time assisted in the business of Mr. Rinsei

Yuki, a benefactor ; and in the following year, 1910, he entered the

staff of the Osaka Electric Light Company as a clerk on trial. That,

indeed, was the first step on the road towards his present position

of responsibility, trust and popularity.

ｐ10-11

Services With

The OSaka Electric Light Company.

It was in 1910, when he was twenty-nine years old, that Mr.

Kizutani entered the Osaka Electric Light Company as a minor em-

ployee ; and the record of his experiences in that company is one

of unsparing application and strenuous struggle. It so happened

that just prior to his employment by the company a disastrous. fire

swept the North Ward of the city and consumed in flame some 4,500

houses representing upwards of 12,000 electric lights. His first as-

signment was therefore the restoration of service in the devastated

area ; this assignment he discharged with much credit to himself and

derived therefrom his first training for the numerous achievements

that were to follow.

In the electrical service business, every transaction between the

company and the consumers is hand]ed upon the basis of the name-

plate which is hung beside the gate or the door of every house in

Japan. In that connection, it came to Mr. Kizutani's attention that

much efficiency was being lost in the operation of the company's

business by reason of the material (usually wood), of which the

name-plates then in use were made, being easily rotted or damaged.

He therefore personally carried on a research for about half a year,

and by cooperating with the manufacturers, devised and caused to

be put into general use a far more durable material. And as a

result of this seemingly trivial step, a marked improvement was ef-

fected in book-keeping and collection, both as to accuracy and con-

venience. This is but one instance of the circumspect care and

minute study that is directed to every undertaking which Mr. Kizntani

handles.

By far the majority of the street lamps of those days were ke-

rosene lamps ; the demand for electric lamps being exceedingly small

by reason of the expenses for pipes and globes being charged to

the consumers-so small, in fact, that some of the directors even pro-

posed to buy up the kerosene lamp service privilege. It was then

that Mr. Kizutani broached the plan of renting the pipes and making

no charge for their installation ; and the adoption of his plan resulted

in an immediate increase in the demand for electric lamps, and the

appearance of the streets at night soon under-went a complete trans-

formation. In this incident may be seen the man's quickness to

seize an opportunity.

In the summer of 1911, at Mr. Kizutani's suggestion, a season

rate was established for electric fans; and the result was a tremendous

increase in the number of electric fans used,-an eloquent testimony

to his intuitive knowledge of the consumers' mind.

The system of collection (of electric light bills) obtaining prior

to 1912 left much to be desired. The collectors being, from the

very nature of their duties, outside workers, it was extremely difficult

to exercise adequate supervision ; and the fact that they handled cash

frequently gave rise to regrettable incidents. Efficiency, too, was

very low, and the amount in arrears reached a tremendous total.

In 1912, therefore, Mr. Kizutani devised and inaugurated a new system

which enabled him to supervise the collectors and to check up on

their efficiency without leaving his seat. Thanks to his ingenious

plan, Osaka, under a system of collection in which the main features

of the plan instituted in 1912 are embodied, shows a collection record

of 99.2% even during the present period of severe economic dep-

ression,-a figure not approached by any other city in Japan.

lnnovation and unification of business, both as to management

and technique, as well as the improvement of service are matters to

which Mr. Kizutani has given much thought. In 1914 he founded

a club called the "Toka-kai " which, to this day, meets once a month

for the study and discussion of subjects of interest and concern to

the electric light industry. Prior to 1914 the company was the butt

of much criticism because there was invariably undue delay in the

installation of transformers and wiring and in the commencement of

In that year, therefore, he caused these aspects

the light service.

of the business to be transferred to the Business Department which

was under his charge ; and in pursuance of the new authority thus

acquired, he introduced many innovations such as the replacement

of carbon bulbs by tungsten bulbs and a three-sen per bulb per month

rebate on the fees charged for the use of bulbs. But the change

which was most effective in greatly increasing the company s income,

and which removed the causes for the citicisms which the company

had formerly suffered, was the adoption of his policy of "Immediate

service".

Another one of his innovations was the establishment of a

special street-lighting system for street-fairs and year-end markets.

ｐ12-13

This, of course, involved the use of high candle-power lights ; and

his method of soliciting this service proved so effective that it is

said that an American expert who came to Japan some years ago for

the purpose of lecturing on this aspect of the industry was astounded

by the progress that had already been made in our country. The

idea of using electric lights and electric light poles for advertising

purposes was another child of his fertile brain. And other evidences

of his genius were displayed in the measures that he took for

the solution of the grave problems occasioned by the soaring of

the price of coal during the World War, by the panic of 1920 and

by the labor troubles that arose in 1921.

Mr. Kizutani's rise in the company was rapid, for step by step

he was promoted ahead of his seniors in service to the Head of the

Business Department. That his extraordinary ability and assiduous

application to his duties largely contributed to his success cannot be

questioned. But another contributing factor of no small importance

was his pleasing personality and sterling character. With sincerity

as his motto, and with unbounded kindness to all with whom he

came in contact, he won the good-will and gratitude of all,-even of

those who might be expected, by reason of their position on certain

issues, to oppose him. May it not be said, therefore, that the

position and prestige which he enjoys today is well merited ?

On the staff of The Bureau of Electricity

Of The City Of Osaka.

In September of 1923, the City of Osaka took over the business

of the Osaka Electric Light Company by purchase, and in October

of that year Mr. Kizutani was appointed Director of the Electric Light

Department. The fate that placed him in that office may not have

been without a touch of irony, for he had been instrumental in

effecting the sale of the company's business to the city upon terms

that were decidedly of advantage to the company. And although

he was wholly untried and inexperienced in the work of a public

office, he displayed such patience, care and ability in directing his

subordinates numbering several thousand that he soon won the con-

fidence and admiration of the people of Osaka.

As director of the Electric Light Department, he pursued the

policy of "Service First" from the very beginning and carried on

various publicity campaigns in order to increase the use of electric

lights. It has been said that some of the methods employed by

him were criticized among the higher officials of the city as not being

in keeping with the dignity that should be maintained by self-govern-

ing bodies. But today, not only the Electric Light Department but

the Transportation Department (those two Departments together con-

stitute the Bureau of Electricity) as well, is employing those methods, -

and doing so to good advantage. To Mr. Kizutani should go the

credit for the movement that is now a foot throughout the country

to improve the service of electric service and railway companies, for

it had its genesis in the improvements advocated and carried out by

the Bureau of Electricity of the City of Osaka.

Following are the principal achievements credited to Mr. Kizutani

subsequent to the transfer of the electric light service to the City :

l. Establishment of the business of electric service as a municipal

undertaking on a firm foundation.

Although no little anxiety was entertained for the future of the

undertaking by the city because of the excessively high price at which

ｐ14-15

the business of the Osaka Electric Light Company was purchased (it

having been appraised at 240% of the actual value) no difficulties

were encountered, and the electric service as a municipal enterprise

was soon established on a firm basis.

2. Rate reduction.

In October of 1923 - the very year in which the service was

transferred to the city - the following rate reductions were effected :

electric light rate, 3.8%; electric power rate, 10%; rate on electricity

for heating purposes, 10%. Then in December of 1926, a further

reduction of 7.5% was made in the electric power rate, and 11.2% in

that for heating purposes. (No reduction was made in the electric

light rate in 1926 because it was already the lowest in the whole

country. Because, as already stated, the policy of " Service First "

has been steadfastly followed by Mr. Kizutani ever since his ap-

pointment to the head of the Electric Light Department the time

will undoubtedly come when further reductions will become feasible.

At any rate, the citizens of Osaka are looking forward to his

impending trip abroad with high expectations in the firm belief that

his usual careful attention and study will be directed toward this

aspect of the business in other countries).

3. Popularization of electric power and heating.

Mr. Kizutani gave particular thought to securing greater use of

electricity for power and heating in the home, business and factory.

As a result, Osaka today leads all the cities of Japan in the volume

of electrical power and heating used in the home.

4. Increased street lighting.

This aspect of his work was crowned with such success that the

streets of Osaka which were formerly said to be the darkest in

all Japan are today reputed to be the brightest.

5. Establishment of the Electricity Popularization Hall.

This Hall was established on the fifth floor of the hew building

in which the Bureau of Electricity is housed ; its object being the

ｐ16-17

dissemination of information relating to electricity and the develop-

ment of ways and means for thorough application and use of such

information.

6. Establishment of an electrified nursery.

This nursery was constructed on the roof of the old quarters of

the Bureau of Electricity by way of encouraging the movement for

removing the drabness of city life through the increase of greeneries.

7. Establishment of an electric appliance exhibit.

The object of this step was the introduction and sale of superior

electric appliances and machinery.

8. Public service organ.

Within the Business Department was established a special section

for creating greater demand for the service by having its staff

members make house-to-house calls on its customers. This in-

novation-the first in Japan-is proving very popular.

It is now more than seven years since he assumed the duties

of his present office as Director of the Electric Light Department.

During all that time he has spared neither his body, spirit nor brain

in discharging his duties. With all the achievements that he already

has to his credit, he has plans for still more. But these are plans

which, in his opinion ca]1 for further study before being broached

to the proper authorities. If, as a result of his study and observation

abroad, these plans can be brought to fruition, his coming trip abroad

is destined to prove of tremendous benefit to the people of Osaka.

Indeed, the Municipal Assembly of Osaka did well by its people in

unanimously adopting a resolution to send Mr. Kizutani abroad.

It should be added that a touch of beautiful sentiment is attached

to the trip that is soon to take Mr. Kizutani to the countries of

Europe and America, for he was formerly a pupil of the present

Mayor of Osaka, Dr. Hajimu Seki. Dr. Seki, of course, is over-joyed

at the new experiences that await his protege. And we (the

Electrical Review Company) join with him and the people of Osaka,

Kyoto and Kobe in bidding Mr. Kizutani God-speed.

By way of reference material, the following figures are ap-

pended to show the general condition of the electric service business

in Osaka.

Population 2,249,997

Number of houses 495,158

Total capital invested in electric service industry

\ 111,400,000 (1929)

Total income \ 36,383,039 (1931 budget)

Income from lights \ 17,818,820

, , power \ 4,620,577

,, ,, ,, heating \ 1,045,123

Number of electric lights in use ' 2,789,963 (bulbs)

Amount of electric power supplied ll2,921 horse-power

,, ,, heat supplied 48,531 kilowatts

(cooking, etc.)

" " " " " 4,340 "

(heating purposes)

Number of houses using electric lights 488,947

,, ,, ,, power 26,999

,, ', heat 39,180

(cooking, etc.)

" " " " " 28,574

(heating purposes)

Number of electric lights per house 5.71 (bulbs)

Amount of electric power per house 4.18 horse-power

heat 1.24 kilowatts

Average candle-power of ligths 25.77

Number of watts per light 30.39