Promotion and development of Japan’s spinning industry as seen from a Japanese statesman’s life in the early Meiji era

What were the spinning industries like in the initial stage in Japan? From which class did the founders of these industries come, ex‐warrior or commoners (merchants or farmers)? This will interest readers. Viewed from a capital investment, it was most significant in Japan whether the government financed an industry or not. This article deals with Tanigawa Tatsumi, the founder president (presidency 1885‐1911) of Okayama Cotton Spinning Company (an enterprise for employing ex‐warriors). Whereas cotton spinning companies for employing ex‐warriors played an important role in the initial stages of the development of the cotton spinning industry, these became bankrupt before long. Under such circumstances, Tanigawa’s Spinning Company weathered many years. An examination of a brief history of Okayama Spinning Company with special reference to Tanigawa’s life history will reveal the significance of the entrepreneur’s learning and virtue, organizing ability, and leadership. Furthermore, it will make clear what otherwise might have been overlooked about the initial nature of industrialization in Japan.