Sakichi's boyhood would coincide with the end of the Edo period, replaced by the Meiji and its reformist policies.

Inspired by a trip to Ueno to visit the Third National Machinery Exposition, he later revolutionized the textile industry, powered by steam, oil, and electricity.

His most famous invention was the automatic power loom in which he implemented the principle of Jidoka (autonomous automation).

The principle of Jidoka, which means that the machine stops itself when a problem occurs, became later a part of the Toyota Production System.

This concept is used today as part of applying lean methodologies to solve problems, improve quality, and reduce costs.