Utilization of the Value of Silk with History and Future Vision

Abstract

Silk in Japan became the world's largest production of raw silk in the Meiji era, making it a foot starting point for Japan's modernization. After that, the sericulture industry grew into Japan's core industry after World War II, although there were some changes. However, since the 1965's, the silk industry centered on clothing has receded due to the import of cheap raw silk overseas, the spread of chemical fibers, and changes in the supply and demand structure. However, silk is not only fibers, cosmetics using UV shielding effect, medical devices such as biological electrodes, further approaches from a new viewpoint, such as pharmaceuticals that apply genetic recommissioning has attracted attention. In this paper, we outline the history of silk and the future image of silk as seen from new research trends.