The Way of Formation of Landscapes for the Tomioka Silk Mill and its Surroundings from Line of Sight as a Basis for Landscape

―Characteristics of the Line of Sight from Streets Around the Tomioka Silk Mill Toward the Mill Itself―

Abstract

Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Heritage site and heritage of industrial modernization, stands as a memorial to a turning point in Japan’s industrial history. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of the line of sight from streets surrounding the Tomioka Silk Mill toward the mill itself. We confirmed that line of sight could be classified into the following four categories: (1) powerful up-close line of sight of the building; (2) line of sight of the city’s iconic chimneys above the cityscape; (3) picturesque line of sight of buildings that are easily and moderately visible; and (4) line of sight of the buildings as it blends into the cityscape. Based on the results, we discussed ways to form landscapes around the Tomioka Silk Mill.