Relationship between Consciousness to Tradition and Management Behavior in the Kendo Protectors Industry

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  • 剣道具生産における伝統への意識と経営行動
  • ケンドウグ セイサン ニ オケル デントウ エ ノ イシキ ト ケイエイ コウドウ

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This paper aims to clarify the producers’ and distributors’ thoughts on the tradition of Kendo, an ethnic sport in Japan. It also looks at the changes in the production and distribution systems of Kendo protectors. The major findings are as follows.<BR>    Most retailers and manufacturers of protectors for Kendo had to adopt low cost operations due to a strong customer preference for cheaper products. The manufacturers built mass production systems across Asia. In addition, they used artificial materials that are cheaper than natural ones. These changes have caused a problem for suppliers in Japan who specialize in natural materials. Most suppliers are planning to discontinue their current products and produce new products including martial arts supplies, traditional crafts, and processed parts, seeing these areas as those of growth and business stability.<BR>    There are consumers and business operators who want to emphasize the tradition of Kendo protectors while maintaining a low price-oriented basis. For that reason, two types of production and distribution systems for Kendo protectors coexist currently in Japan. The first is a modern system for consumers and retailers who require cheaper protectors and manufacturers and material suppliers who have adopted a more modern production system. The second is a traditional system for consumers and business operators who emphasize tradition. These two systems have not been built strategically for each product or location. They have emerged as a result of decisions made on the concept of tradition by individual business operators. The manufacturers who adopt low-cost operations and mass-production systems purchase materials from material suppliers who compliment the manufacturers’ strategies, outsource production to overseas plants, and sell their products to mass retailers. The manufacturers who emphasize the traditional aspects of protectors purchase materials from material suppliers who share their values, and they sell their products to retailers and consumers who share their thoughts on traditional Kendo protectors.

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