71006-0006 - Motomachi

Shops and rickshaws at Motomachi Itchome in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. The shop with the elephant is Zouki, established in 1875 (Meiji 8) by Kihei Sodeoka.

Besides selling ivory, Zouki also sold import goods and was among the first distributors of the Asahi Shimbun when it was launched in 1879 (Meiji 12).

As a shop of import goods, Zouki played an important role in Kobe. It was for example the first shop to sell bicycles in this town. See blog entry.