Technological and Social Changes in a Japanese Fishing Village

• Published in: Journal of Asian and African studies (Leiden) 1974, Vol.9 (1-2), p.1-16
• Main Authors: Yoshida, Teigo, Maruyama, Koichi, Namihira, Emiko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Change/Changes; Document/Documents/Documentary/ Documentation; Fishing; Japan/Japanese; Social change; Technology/Technological/ Technologically; Village/Villages/Villagers
• ISSN: 0021-9096; 1745-2538; 1568-5217
• DOI: 10.1163/156852174X00010

Technological & social changes in Katsumoto-ura, a Japanese fishing village, are documented. The village has succeeded in maintaining & increasing its population, unlike most Japanese villages. Social organization formerly had 3 tiers: wholesalers, fishing-boat owners, & crewmen. In the 1920's fishermen began organizing & succeeded in breaking free of the wholesalers' dominance. This produced a 2nd period of prosperity after the initial whaling era closed in the 1870's. A 3rd period began in 1958 when the fishermen's associations began supporting purchase of larger & powered boats. Powered boats, introduced in 1920, have become increasingly dominant in recent years. Women have come to play an increasingly important role in squid fishing since water supply, their traditional role, has been mechanized. Rituals & organizations responsible for them have also changed considerably, wards of the village having less distinctive functions & religious activities. Due to continued technological change, fish are now less available & moorings are more difficult. This can be expected to produce continued change in social & ritual patterns. 2 Tables, 1 Figure. W. H. Stoddard.