近代における野菜種子屋の展開 : 東京府北豊島郡榎本留吉商店を中心に

抄録

The purpose of this article is to investigate the role played by seed dealers in the development of the modern vegetable production systems in Japan through an analysis of the management system of a seed market located in Kitatoshima-gun, Tokyo, Japan. In Kitatoshima-gun, since the early days of the modern period, vegetable seed production systems have been developed and half-agricultural, half-commercial seed shops established. From the mid to the late Meiji era, wholesale seed dealers' markets developed with Nakasendo as an industrial center, which led to the production of open-pollinated seeds, the development of original seeds, and the commercial production of seeds based on commissions with farmers. The commission-based seed farmers were located in the neighborhood of the seed dealers' markets until the mid Taisho era. However, by the late Taisho era, the farmers had moved to more remote areas and the trade of seeds was undertaken by administrators. Seeds were also traded by mail-order businesses. In addition, the seed dealers increased the amount of products they offered through the commission-based seed production systems. Thus, in the process of development in the modern vegetable production systems in Japan, the seed dealers have played a role in both producing and distributing the vegetable seeds, supporting a stable supply of high-quality seeds.