Japenese Cleaning Works 1923 Calendar (daguerreotype) photo of Anne

From the El Paso, Texas Herald Nov.25, 1922. (page 17)
Local Japanese Cleaners Delight In Restoring the Color and Texture of Most Delicate Fabrics. From a private soldier in the ranks of Japan’s army during the Russian-Japanese war to the proprietor of a large dyeing and cleaning establishment in El Paso is a long jump for any man to make but this feat was accomplished by Mr. Mutaguchi, one time subject of the I Mikado and now a successful business man of the southwest.
Mr. Mutaguchi came to El Paso eight years ago and established the Japanese Cleaning Works, which is located in a large building at 313 South Mesa avenue. He landed in San Francisco 15 years ago. The first seven years of his life in America was spent as a laundry man in California. It was while engaged in this pursuit that he studied and observed the cleaning industry. Mr. Mutaguchi states that he has | applied himself to the learning of the dyeing business until he is now thoroughly conversant with every detail. In his works the most delicate of soiled fabrics are cleaned without injury. When one notes the soft tints and fine weaves of the fabrics worn by women, it is apparent a cleaner must be somewhat of an artist to remove the dirt and spots from these garments and, at the same time, bring out the original colors as bright and as beautiful as when the cloth was first woven. Mr. Mutaguchi, native of the west coast of Japan, is such an artist. He loves colors and his happiest moments are when his skillful hands are removing the soot and dust spots from an old rose or a baby blue tinted fabric. The Japanese Cleaning works Is equipped with modern machinery for the cleaning and dyeing of wearable's. This company also cleans draperies, but does not handle carpets or rugs. The staff of artisans consists of ten people, men and women. Material to be cleaned is called for and delivered by automobile. Both steam and dry cleaning processes are employed. This company specializes on the removing of ink stains from clothing which, as any cleaner knows, is one of the most difficult tasks of the business. “A fresh ink spot is fairly easy to remove,” commented Mr. Mutaguchi. “but gets harder as it gets older. The hardest of all is to take out an ink spot that some one else has worked on and only partially remedied. The ink has been driven into the heart of the thread, and it takes a long intricate process to remove it.” The Japanese Cleaning Works cater to a high class of trade and guarantee their work.

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