Silk mill sites utilization and traces

Abstract

Silk mills have a yarn reeling process and produce high quality silk from cocoon. Sericulture/filature was a leading industry to contribute to Japanese economy in early twentieth century. Most of the mills were closed during World War II, but after the war over 300 mills quickly recovered with domestic market demands. However, the business was slowing down again due to business recession from cheaper imported silk yarn. The silk mills shut down year by year and at present only two mills are operating in Japan. The objectives of this research are to clarify location of mills, type of mills owner, current utilization of the sites, and inheritance of silk mills. There are three business types of mills owner. The research clarified five kinds of the utilization (housing district, commercial complex, factories, public facilities, others) in the sites. 51 sites remain some inheritance or trace of silk mill operations including building of factory, monuments showing history, or use of silk industry related words (cocoon, filature and silk) for the replaced business operations. Designation of cultural property is effective to protect the buildings, but it is more important to share the value of silk mills traces among the site owners and communities.