1858 Born in Toba City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. 1888 Began raising oysters near Bentenjima Island in Shinmei Inlet. 1893 Invented cultured pearls. Established pearl farms on Tatokujima Island. 1899 Opened the Mikimoto Pearl Store in Ginza, Tokyo. 1908 Awarded a patent for spherical cultured pearls. 1924 Appointed to the House of Peers by Imperial Decree. 1927 Met Thomas Edison in West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.A. 1951 Received in audience by Emperor Showa upon His Imperial Highness' visit to Tatokujima Island. 1954 The Empress Dowager visited Tatokujima Island. 1954 Died at age 96. Was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure posthumously.