In 1873, the NAKAGAWA Seihin Factory was founded in Hamasaka,
a thriving hub for traditional Japanese sewing needles.

The journey of development, guided by the thread of time,
unexpectedly led to the creation of a diverse range of products.
A pivotal moment came with the invention of the phonograph in 1877.

In 1909, domestic production of phonographs began,
and the demand for them grew.
It was during this era that the manufacturing techniques of sewing needles were applied,
leading to the production of steel needles for phonographs in 1949.
Then, in 1966, building upon the technology of steel needle production,
the manufacturing of phono cartridges began.

The production of phono cartridges started with the design and fabrication of tools and fixtures.
Today, approximately 30 manufacturers and over 2,300 varieties of phono cartridges
are meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, ensuring a consistent production process.