A Study on Lacquerware Peddlers

Abstract

The writer shows in this paper some aspects of the peddler system in lacquerware merchandising. Lacquerware in general is used for ceremonial tableware or artistic furniture rather than in daily use. Therefore, lacquerware production depends little upon commercial mass production but is order-made, and the merchandising system retains traditional peddlers.
Peddlers of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Kawatsura, Akita Prefecture, wellkown lacquerware making towns, work for the makers. On the other hand at Sakurai of Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, peddlers are independent for from lacquerware makers. Sakurai developed as a local relay center for lacquerware sale in northwestern Shikoku, and development of peddlers encouraged growth of lacquerware makers there. Peddlers of Wajima and Kawatsura were directly controlled by lacquerware makers, while those of Sakurai were relatively independent from such control. Makers at Wajima and Kawatsura need peddlers in order to sell their products, because those towns are remote from markets.
Peddlers at Sakurai are at the same time farmers, consequently peddling is restricted by farming activities. Recently demand for lacquerware diminished because of modernization of the way of life. Some peddlers of Sakurai are changing their commodities for sale from lacquerware to cloth and so on, others have abandoned peddling. With the decline of peddling, makers at Sakurai have last an outlet for their products and have fallen into serious condition. But at Wajima and Kawatsura they still continue peddling, although the amount of production is decreasing.