Concerning the Kaneda Ski Manufacturing Factory in Toyama Prefecture from the End of the Taisho Era to the Early Years of the Showa Era

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explain the manufacturing and marketing activities of the Kaneda Ski Manufacturing Factory in Toyama Prefecture from the end of the Taisho Era to the early years of the Showa Era. This study uses historical data from Toyama Prefecture during the Taisho and Showa Eras.The following conclusions are deduced ; 1) Johana Town had Tatenogahara ski ground and was a good environment forskiing. The "Take" ski was popular in Johana Town from the middle of the Taisho Era. Kaneda took interest in skis from that time, as he enjoyed skiing and was a carpenter. He started to manufacture skis from the latter half of the Taisho Era and to sell skis from the fifteenth year of that era. 2) The trend in ski goods in this period was from Austrian to Norwegian type, but as Kaneda did not manufacture bindings, the biggest obstacle for him in manufacturing was to achieve the proper curvature of the ski. 3) Kaneda was willingly coached about manufacturing by Tomesaburo Sakur aba. Kaneda was coached from the fourth year of the Showa Era for ten years. Because of the superior help he received, Kaneda was able to succeed in both the manufacturing and marketing of the product.