Contrasting Development Paths of Silk-Weaving Districts in Modern Japan

Abstract

Many traditional industries prospered through the introduction of western technologies in the modernization process of Japanese economy. Nishijin, which was the most advanced silk-weaving district in Japan, played a leading role in technology transfer from the West in the silk-weaving industry. Kiryu District has been an ‘imitator’ of Nishijin, which developed by continuously introducing advanced technologies from Nishijin. Another imitating district was Fukui, which developed extremely rapidly after an engineer from Kiryu provided a 3-week training program. The development paths of the three major silk-weaving districts were contrasting: Nishijin was characterized by small-scale production organizations, use of hand looms, and production of traditional kimono for domestic markets, whereas Fukui was characterized by large-scale production organizations, more active adoption of power looms, and production of simple products for export. Kiryu lay in between. We argue that such contrasting patterns can be understood by differential endowment of skilled workers among the three districts.