When the Shonai Clan forfeited against the imperial government during the Boshin war, Saigo Takamori managed to convince the government to allow all the samurai to establish a silk industry instead of being fined, turning swords into hoes as the saying goes. Near Mt. Haguro there is the Matsugaoka Reclamation Land where a lot of the silk farming and breeding took place, and that’s why Tsuruoka City is home to Japan’s northernmost silk industry, one that still does everything in the same place at that! It’s worth a visit if you have an afternoon :)
I facilitate a Silk Study Tour to Japan biennially in May. We visit several important sites learning about sericulture, silk, textiles, and so much more.
I often describe it as “seeing Japan through the eyes of a silkworm”. And yes, okaiko san.
When the Shonai Clan forfeited against the imperial government during the Boshin war, Saigo Takamori managed to convince the government to allow all the samurai to establish a silk industry instead of being fined, turning swords into hoes as the saying goes. Near Mt. Haguro there is the Matsugaoka Reclamation Land where a lot of the silk farming and breeding took place, and that’s why Tsuruoka City is home to Japan’s northernmost silk industry, one that still does everything in the same place at that! It’s worth a visit if you have an afternoon :)
I facilitate a Silk Study Tour to Japan biennially in May. We visit several important sites learning about sericulture, silk, textiles, and so much more.
I often describe it as “seeing Japan through the eyes of a silkworm”. And yes, okaiko san.
Thank you for this wonderful refresher!
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Silkworm rain... Inspiring article.