日本住友家业的源头与家业继承——日本人的“家”与“家业”理念的历史考察

The Founding and Inheritance of Sumitomo Family Business in Japan

日本住友家业源于婿养子从生父家带到妻家,此后十七代都以男性单子传承为主轴,其间有过养子、婿养子继承。本文的基本观点是,住友家的这一继承模式是日本家业传承的典型模式,与中国传统的"诸子均分"以及家产、秘方、绝技"传儿不传女"、"传媳不传婿"的社会风俗,形成鲜明的对照。作者系统梳理住友家业历代的传承情况,旨在从中探寻日本人的家业理念,以此为研究中日文化的同人提供一个反观中日家族企业文化差异的新视角。同时,对中国家业走出"富不过三代",改变传统的继承观念与习俗也许有新的启迪。

Sumitomo family business originated from the founder's son-in-law,who later took the founder's surname and became his adopted son. The business was subsequently succeeded each time by one son,and among the successors,some were adopted sons and sons-in-law who took the family surname. This is the Japanese typical model of succeeding to the family business. It stands in sharp contrast with the conventional practice of Chinese family business. In Chinese traditional custom,family property is equally inherited by all sons,and family property,secret recipe and consummate skills developed by ancestors are passed to male rather than female offspring,or otherwise to the spouse(s) of male offspring but never to the spouse(s) of female offspring. This study yields clues to understanding Japanese idea of 'family' and 'family business' ,revealing cultural differences in family businesses between Japan and China. Furthermore,it provides enlightenment for Chinese entrepreneurs to avoid the path that 'from clogs to clogs is only three generations'.