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From Lyon to Kyoto: Modernization of a Traditional Silk-Weaving District in Japan, 1887–1929

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  • Tomoko HASHINO

    (Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University)

Abstract

In 1872, three craftsmen were sent by the Kyoto prefectural government to Lyon, France, to learn about power-looms and other weaving innovations. Instead of bringing back a power-loom, they brought back the Jacquard mechanism and the flying shuttle to Kyoto because they thought power-looms were too expensive and inappropriate for their sophisticated fabrics. This paper explores the production trend from 1887 to 1929 to characterize growth phases—Jacquard-led, out-weaver-based, and power-loom-assisted—in Kyoto. By doing so, the importance of selective adoption of new technologies for industrial development is discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomoko HASHINO, 2021. "From Lyon to Kyoto: Modernization of a Traditional Silk-Weaving District in Japan, 1887–1929," Discussion Papers 2122, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:koe:wpaper:2122
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    File URL: http://www.econ.kobe-u.ac.jp/RePEc/koe/wpaper/2021/2122.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Takafumi Kurosawa & Tomoko Hashino, 2010. "From the Non-European Tradition to a Variation of Japanese Model of Competitiveness: the Japanese Modern Paper Industry since the 1870s," Discussion Papers 0919, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.
    2. Ryoshin Minami, 1968. "The Turning Point in the Japanese Economy," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 82(3), pages 380-402.
    3. Serguey Braguinsky & Atsushi Ohyama & Tetsuji Okazaki & Chad Syverson, 2014. "Acquisitions, productivity, and profitability : Evidence from the Japanese cotton spinning industry," Working Paper Research 270, National Bank of Belgium.
    4. Ma, Debin, 1996. "The Modern Silk Road: The Global Raw-Silk Market, 1850–1930," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 56(2), pages 330-355, June.
    5. Serguey Braguinsky & Atsushi Ohyama & Tetsuji Okazaki & Chad Syverson, 2015. "Acquisitions, Productivity, and Profitability: Evidence from the Japanese Cotton Spinning Industry," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(7), pages 2086-2119, July.
    6. Tomoko Hashino & Osamu Saito, 2004. "Tradition and interaction: research trends in modern Japanese industrial history," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 44(3), pages 241-258, November.
    7. Tomoko Hashino & Takafumi Kurosawa, 2011. "Beyond Marshallian Agglomeration Economies: The Roles of the Local Trade Association in a Meiji Japan Weaving District (1868-1912)," Discussion Papers 1113, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.
    8. Hashino, Tomoko & Kurosawa, Takafumi, 2013. "Beyond Marshallian Agglomeration Economies: The Roles of Trade Associations in Meiji Japan," Business History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 87(3), pages 489-513, October.
    9. Minami, Ryoshin, 1968. "The Turning Point in the Japanese Economy," Economic Review, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 19(3), pages 220-229, July.
    10. Hashino, Tomoko & Otsuka, Keijiro, 2013. "Cluster-based industrial development in contemporary developing countries and modern Japanese economic history," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 19-32.
    11. Minami, Ryoshin & Makino, Fumio, 1983. "Conditions for Technological Diffusion : Case of Power Looms," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 23(2), pages 1-20, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tomoko HASHINO & Keijiro Otsuka, 2021. "Selective Technology Choice, Adaptations, and Industrial Development: Lessons from Japanese Historical Experience," Discussion Papers 2124, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.

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