Tokuji Hayakawa's Background

Tokuji Hayakawa, founder of Sharp, was born on November 3, 1893, in Tokyo. Unfortunately, young Tokuji’s mother was not only very busy with work; she was also in poor health. As a consequence, just 23 months after his birth, Tokuji was placed in the care of the Deno family, who later formally adopted the boy. Tokuji was poor, endured a harsh childhood, being underfed and mistreated by his adoptive stepmother.

Fortunately, help arrived in the form of Mrs. Inoue, an old, visually impaired woman from his neighborhood. She helped Tokuji to become an apprentice before the age of eight in a metalworking business that made decorative metal ornaments. Even such a servant life gave him hope for a new life.