The End of a 1,400-Year-Old Business

[Foxy Brown]

The world's oldest continuously operating family business ended its impressive run last year. Japanese temple builder Kongo Gumi, in operation under the founders' descendants since 578, succumbed to excess debt and an unfavorable business climate in 2006.

[JFC]

Damn, calling it an "impressive run" is putting it mildly.

[trueinnuendo]

That's how many generations of riches

[kamekame]

is that like the world record?

[nop]

This family probably has some magical items (like in anime).  They probably move to another dimension to avoid global warming (or computer consciousness awakening) to come.

[edhead999]

I'd be surprised if his business was still thriving... with all those people out there needing temples built...

[shadowstar]

"Yup, my granpappy started this business here way back before you little ones were even born..." 

[kwanleekwan]

1400 years.............is a long long time. Quite sad, but everything has an end

[Asmodai]

Their family business has been around 6 times longer than the United States. When they started business, people still thought the Roman Empire was a going concern suffering some temporary setbacks.

Pretty amazing.