The purpose of this study is to observe the statistical change of the relationship between women and sericulture which has heretofore been believed very close in the study of folklore as well as history. The data studied were “Cocoon Production Cost” and “Rice Production Cost” published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. The results are as follows :
1) The Cocoon Production Cost shows the division of work per process : the total working hours of men and women as well as the hours put in only by women, while, on the other hand, the Rice Production Cost shows no division of work.
2) The hours put in by women in sericulture are longer than by men, the fact of which is quite contrary to the case of rice farming. It should be pointed out that women specialize in the process of raising silkworm.
3) Mechanization of farming has helped reduce working hours of sericulture, and women's working hours have been reduced accordingly.
The women engaged in sericulture may be called sericulture experts. Those administrative divisions related to sericulture should realize the important roles played by women, and extend assistance to the women engaged in sericulture, especially, promoting women's entrepreneurship.
