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Hand looms, power looms, and changing production organizations: the case of the Kiryu weaving district in the early 20th century Japan

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  • Hashino, Tomoko
  • Otsuka, Keijiro

Abstract

This study finds that the development process of the Kiryu silk weaving district in Japan from 1895 to 1930 can be divided at least into the two phases, i.e., Smithian growth based on the inter-firm division of labor using hand looms and Schumpeterian development based on factory system using power looms. Weaving manufacturers-cum-contractors led Smithian growth by organizing sub-contracts with out-weavers in rural villages and grew faster than factory production systems. Newly emerged joint stock firms played a role of genuine entrepreneurs by realizing significant scale economies. During this new phase, weaving manufacturers-cum-contractors survived and also introduced new production system.

Suggested Citation

  • Hashino, Tomoko & Otsuka, Keijiro, 2012. "Hand looms, power looms, and changing production organizations: the case of the Kiryu weaving district in the early 20th century Japan," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 41659, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:41659
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yutaka ARIMOTO & Kentaro NAKAJIMA & Tetsuji OKAZAKI, 2010. "Agglomeration or Selection? The Case of the Japanese Silk-reeling Industry, 1909-1916," Discussion papers 10003, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    2. Keijiro Otsuka, 2006. "Cluster‐Based Industrial Development: A View From East Asia," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 57(3), pages 361-376, September.
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    5. Jones, Geoffrey & Zeitlin, Jonathan, 2009. "The Oxford Handbook of Business History," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199573950, Decembrie.
    6. Tetsushi Sonobe & Keijiro Otsuka, 2006. "The Development of Industrial Clusters in East Asia," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Cluster-Based Industrial Development, chapter 2, pages 22-34, Palgrave Macmillan.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    JEL classification:

    • N95 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Asia including Middle East

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