Shimizu's more than 200-year history began in 1804, when founder Kisuke Shimizu launched a carpentry business in the Kanda Kajicho district in Edo (now Tokyo). During its early years, Shimizu appointed Eiichi Shibusawa, a renowned industrialist of the Meiji Era (1868-1912), as senior advisor and based its management style on his "Rongo to Soroban" ("The Analects and the Abacus"). This work set forth the concept of how businesses can contribute to society based on a firm union between ethics and economics, thereby achieving fair returns and attractive growth. Construction technologies and methods have advanced rapidly since that time. Still, the approach of striving to ensure growth based on quality products that satisfy customers remains the unchanging foundation for all Shimizu activities.