Nishikawa Jingorō

Japanese: 西川甚五郎 - にしかわじんごろう

This name was passed down to the second and ninth generations of the Nishikawa family, Omi merchants. The first generation was from Gamo District, Omi Province, and initially traveled around Echizen selling fish and salt, but eventually set up shop in Omihachiman, and in 1615 (Genwa 1) opened a store in Nihonbashi, Edo, selling mosquito nets and tatami coverings. The second generation (1582-1675) took over the business and invented the light green color that is characteristic of Omi mosquito nets. The family business then developed with solid business methods, opening another store in Edo and another in Kyoto. The ninth generation (1804-62) became an official archer for the shogunate and monopolized bow sales in Edo.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

近江商人西川家の2代目および9代目以降が襲名した名前。初代は近江国蒲生郡出身で，はじめは越前方面へ魚類･塩物の行商を行ったが，やがて近江八幡に店を構え，1615年(元和1)には江戸日本橋に出店を開き，蚊帳と畳表の販売に従事した。2代(1582‐1675)はこれを継承し，近江蚊帳の特徴である萌葱（もえぎ）色を創案した。その後堅実な商法で家業は発展し，江戸に別店，京都にも店を開く。9代(1804‐62)は幕府御用弓師となり，江戸の弓販売を独占した。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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