In the early Showa Period, Osaka was called "the Manchester of the East." Japan overtook England in textile industry to become number one in the world in cotton product export. In commemoration of this achievement, the million yen donated (for the purpose of promoting advancement and development of the Japanese textile industry) in accordance to the will of the late Tsuneo Oka (executive director of Toyobo) and the 500,000 yen donated by the industry were joined to build a members clubhouse. Designed by Setsu Watanabe, a representative architect of Osaka, the construction commenced in 1931 (6th year of the Showa Period). The reconstruction cost of the Osaka Castle which took place around the same time was 480,000 yen. This comparison shows just how luxurious this building is. Many historical figures have visited this building in pre-war and post-war years, including the Lytton Commission, First Lady Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and various prime ministers. The building incorporates various design styles from all over the world, its elegant and stately guest quarters as well as the entire building comprise an important cultural property. The building still stands today, as beautiful as ever. It has withstood the rapidly changing Showa Period, wartime catastrophe, and a major natural disaster to pass on the passion of those who were involved in building it, and its presence is simply marvelous. Since this is a membership-based facility, it is open to the public only once a month (fourth Saturday, charged).