Path renewal dynamics in the Kyoto kimono cluster: how to revitalize cultural heritage through digitalization

ABSTRACT

The digitalization of cultural heritage is crucial for revamping the creative and cultural sectors during a period of stagnation. This work is about the revitalization of the Kyoto kimono cluster through digitalization, which initiated a new exaptive development path for a declining cluster. A growing community of economic geographers and regional scientists has begun to discuss regional path development beyond related and unrelated diversification. We focus on path renewal, which involves major change of a path into a new direction based on new technologies or organizational innovations. Existing knowledge and skills in a region are combined in new ways and may be linked to relevant extra-regional knowledge to provide new knowledge, enabling innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The process encompasses the intentional and serendipitous actions of individual entrepreneurs (firm-level) and networks of systemic configurations (system-level). A narrative approach is used to capture the path renewal dynamics in the Kyoto kimono cluster.

KEYWORDS:

• Path renewal
• exaptation
• differentiated knowledge base
• industrial district
• digitalization
• cultural heritage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Yūzen is a Japanese resist dyeing technique involving the application of rice paste to fabric to prevent colour transfer of dye to areas of the fabric. Originating in the 17th century, the technique became popular as both a way of subverting sumptuary laws on dress fabrics, and also as a way to quickly produce kimono that appeared to be hand painted with dyes. The technique was named after Miyazaki Yūzen, a 17th century fan painter who perfected the technique.

2 Nishijin-ori is a collective term for silk cloth produced here.

3 Shichi-Go-San is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three- and seven-year-old girls and five-year-old (and less commonly three-year-old) boys, held annually on November 15 to celebrate the growth and well-being of young children.

4 Kabuki is a classical form of Japanese dance drama. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylized performances, the often-glamorous costumes and elaborate kumadori make-up worn by performers.

5 Itochu is one of the largest Japanese sogo shosha – general trading companies – operating with six major divisions specializing in textiles, metals/minerals, food, machinery, energy/chemicals, and ICT/general products/real estate.