Vol. 69, No. 6

Hitoshi TAMURA
The technological development of the textile industry in early Meiji Japan (1870s~1880s): a reconsideration of the factors involved in the introduction of chemical dyeing materials

The introduction of chemical dyeing materials in order to develop new textile products had a great influence on the domestic fashion textiles market in early Meiji Japan. This paper investigates how the possibility of new dyes encouraged technological growth in regional silk production districts as well as in dominant Japanese textile production centers such as Nishijin, Kiryu, and Ashikaga.

In the years after the competitive exhibition in 1885, several regional silk production districts developed new textile products by introducing new technology in the form of chemical dyeing materials from Western Europe. In particular, the most active local districts such as Hachioji, Isesaki, and Tokamachi, succeeded in developing new fashions through the production of new textiles that were of high quality in terms of weaving, yarn quality, dyeing, weight, design, and price. On the other hand, regional silk production districts which had neglected to introduce new technology simply stagnated or declined. High quality new textiles with fashionable designs were essential to the development of the textile industry in Japan.

Toru IMAJOH
The development of financial institutions specializing in small businesses in Osaka in the interwar period

The purpose of this article is to examine why financial institutions for small businesses developed in the city of Osaka in the interwar period. In the period from the Showa financial crisis of 1927 to the great depression of 1929~31, deposits and loans by ordinary banks decreased, but deposits and loans by savings banks, mujin [mutual financing] companies, and credit associations used by small businesses rapidly increased. The growth of these financial institutions was mainly supported by their characteristic ways of financing. Branches of Fudo Chokin Ginko [Fudo Savings Bank] and mujin companies made long-term and unsecured loans, although at rates of interest higher than those charged by ordinary banks. Credit associations made short-term loans without collateral, and discounted bills. Moreover, they provided funds for the wholesalers that played a principal role in the finances of small businesses. The diversity of users was also an important factor in the development of financial institutions specializing in small businesses. Even in the great depression, they were utilized not only by firms that needed funds to continue to trade, but also by businessmen who intended to expand, those who wanted to maintain accounts with ordinary banks, and those who sought more profitable ways of saving.

Shuichi TAKASHIMA
Urban development and land re-zoning in the interwar Tokyo suburbs: the case of arable land readjustment projects in Tokyo and Tamagawa-mura

The readjustment of arable land (kochi seiri) primarily means the re-zoning of land in order to increase agricultural productivity. However, arable land readjustment closely resembles land rezoning for housing, and many of the projects of the interwar years that were publicly referred to as the ?readjustment of arable land? were actually aimed at housing development. The people of the village of Tamagawa-mura near Tokyo thought along these lines, and carried out such projects from 1924 to 1954.

However, zoned residential areas did not immediately appear in Tamagawa-mura. Population increased in the eastern and the central part of the village, in the vicinity of the railroad, but other areas remained typical suburban farming communities (kinko noson). People living in these latter areas were opposed to the readjustment projects, which would decrease their landholdings.

City planning by the prefectural government in Tokyo changed the situation. It introduced the view that even if the total land area were to decrease due to the construction of wide roads in accordance with arable land readjustment projects, the village would profit because the value of the remaining portions of land would rise. Residents gradually came to agree with this view, and readjustment was accepted.