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

Tomoko Hashino

No 2122, Discussion Papers from 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.

Pages: 48 pages
Date: 2021-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-his and nep-isf
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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