Abstract
The proper industry which arose after Meiji era and remains still now in many places is found in Japan widely. For example, near Hiroshima writing-brushes, sculptures (Miyajima-sculpture) and needles are producted by the middle and small scale industry, having their old history. These industries have taken their historical process with change of their production system and localization of production. As a case of these examples, I considered the adjustemant to milieu of the wooden clogs industry in Ochiai mura (near Hirosima).
In making a summary of this industry I can find the following change which has the two climax in its historical process. During Shoo-Meireki era (1652-1657) they aquired the technic of this industry from Osaka. The wooden clog industry thus started on the side line depending on the near forest resources and under the protect and control of clan. This relatively stabilized condition continued till Meiji era, when the climax under the feudalistic system was found.
After Meiji era with the currence of free economy, they lost monopoly and moreover the instruction-system of handindustrial technic changed from the apprentice system to the vocational education. Therefore the stability had lost but they associated the trade association to endeavor the improvement of the products or made a speciality of the clogs made of Paulownia-wood from the Miscellaneous-wood clogs. In 42nd of Meiji the manufactures were 95, the labourer 238, the Production 1, 442, 000 clogs, when the second climax was found.
Hereafter with the progress of mechanized production and the effect of world war II, the industry took retrocession to continue till now without extermination, and it changes toward the new equilibrium.
Comparing to the earlier condition, the effect of geographical profit accessing to Hiroshima is weakened and the problem of material and market is indirectly concerned in the control of land. The spread of European type clothes is not profitable to this industry. In spite of the above mentioned condition what are the causes which make this industry possible to continue? One of them is that the special hand industrial technic was suceeded by the apprentice system which effect on traditional shop of old standing. The second is that this industry takes the part of effective safetyvalue as a means of population adjustment coming from cities.
