Abstract
Sericulture is an industry to rear silkworm larvae on fresh mulberry leaves while cultivating mulberry tree fields and let mature silkworm larvae spin cocoons. From cocoons, raw silk is reeled, and dyed and weaved into silk fabrics. Sericulture in Japan had supported silk culture from ancient times. This may be the reason why annual ceremony of sericulture is still carried out in Imperial Palace by Empress to rear a special strain of silkworm larvae named Koishimaru, on fresh mulberry leaves. Empress then reels raw silk from the cocoons and weaves silk fabrics. Silk had been used in various parts of people’s life in Japan. Silk was indispensable for unique Kimono culture in Japan, which brought up culture in Japan. Kimono culture penetrated into every aspects of people’s life. Survival of sericulture in Japan is, however, at stake for various reasons. For example, profits are little due to inexpensive cocoons imported from abroad. Farmers in sericulture grew old. Young successors are scarce. Research institutes no longer develop practical techniques for sericulture. The situation in sericulture in Japan is getting worse. But one thing is clear at the present time, i.e., once sericulture in Japan disappears, its restoration is extremely difficult. In this article, I propose a solution; introduction of an industrial tourism into sericulture in Japan with reference to recent trend in China where an industrial tourism is successfully introduced and by which people are furnished with satisfaction for curiosity, and joy of achievement related silk and silk culture.
