In this paper we discuss the distribution and formal characteristics of mulberry plantations in the middle basin region of the Tone River in the Edo and Meiji periods. During this time, until the ban on silkworm egg card exports was lifted, the cultivation of mulberry in fields was prohibited; despite the common practice of planting mulberry on the rows of raised earth between fields, known as azekuwa, only after the export ban was lifted did it become legal to plant mulberry in fields; subsequently, large mulberry plantations were created. Thereafter, farmers of silkworm egg cards, who had been catching silkworm eggs because of the stoppage on silkworm egg card exports, switched to raising silkworms in order to produce cocoons. Water transportation, which had been a significant livelihood in this region, declined with the opening of railroads (Takasaki Line) and this also increased the number of people changing their occupation to silkworm raising. The number of silkworm cocoons produced also increased, which brought about demand for a further increase in the size of mulberry plantations; not only fields, but also ryūsakuba farms along river banks came to be used as mulberry plantations. This is how high-yield mulberry plantations came to be widely distributed in the region, although it must not be forgotten that this was supported by efforts of the region’s pioneering unaffiliated engineers and researchers to selectively breed mulberry, and their technologies for cultivating with increased yield.

This study surveyed the location characteristics of silkworm egg-producing farms hamlets and mulberry plantations along the middle reaches of Tone River, in Isesaki City of Gunma Prefecture and Fukaya and Honjo City of Saitama Prefecture. The region encompasses the constituent elements for the certification as World Heritage and understanding its surrounding landscape enhances its value. The study was conducted by interpreting old maps surveyed by the Land Survey Department of the Imperial Army (jinsoku-sokuzu) on mid-Meiji Period, surveying documents and studying in the field. The results show that factors behind the formation of silkworm egg-producing farms along rivers include good drainage conditions and suitability for mulberry cultivation to feed silkworms. Moreover, the development of water transportation of Tone River had a strong influence on the location. During the Meiji Period, mulberry plantations spread along and across Tone River, contributing to the high-volume production of silkworm egg-producing industry. The land formerly covered by mulberry plantations is now occupied by industrial parks and dry fields, where the region’s famous green onions are grown.

藤本蚕業歴史館(長野県上田市)は

This paper delves into the growth of the Japanese silk industry during the 1890s, with a specific focus on Kin-gyo Kaisha, a silkworm-egg company located in Shiojiri Village, Nagano Prefecture. Shiojiri Village was renowned as the primary area for silkworm-egg production in Japan during that period. The study examines the historical development of the silkworm-egg industry as it underwent modernization, exploring aspects such as the transition to the company form, the production and sales of silkworm eggs, and the role of the company (organization) in the modernization process.

Under the management of Kin-gyo Kaisha, silkworm-egg production mainly involved the company’s members utilizing a combination of in-house breeding and consignment production. The company maintained quality control by inspecting the silkworm eggs, ensuring their standards were upheld and enabling them to meet the rising demand, thus increasing their sales capacity.

In response to fierce market competition, Kin-gyo Kaisha adopted two strategies. Firstly, the company’s members maintained or expanded their individual sales channels to prevent interference with one another. Secondly, the company initiated joint sales efforts. Furthermore, Kin-gyo Kaisha underwent a transformation into a limited partnership company. While the management of the limited partnership company initially succeeded, signs of a decline in business appeared from 1896 onwards. Ultimately, the lack of unity between the company’s management and the family businesses of its members led to Kin-gyo Kaisha’s dissolution in 1901.

Despite the company’s failure in management, it was not without significance. The quality control process and silkworm-egg inspections supported the maintenance and expansion of each member’s sales channels. Additionally, the development of joint sales encouraged members to expand their business into the Kansai region. Moreover, Kin-gyo Kaisha’s experiences likely provided valuable insights to later-established silkworm-egg companies in Shiojiri Village.

This article examines exhibition content for visitors at the four constituent sites of, and at four amenities related to, the Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage. The exhibition content was compared with a focus on the criteria for registration on the UNESCO World Heritage List and on features that did not meet these criteria at the time of registration. The content was then grouped into content common to all the constituent sites and into constituent site-specific content. The analysis revealed issues related to exhibition content in the constituent sites and related amenities. The importance of harmonizing exhibition content across constituent sites of, and amenities related to, World Heritage Sites, is discussed.

全国の学校でGIGAスクールが実施されながら、学校で地域学習を計画しようとすると、地域を知る情報源がネット上には極めて少ないことが直ちに顕在化する。特に学校区の情報源は殆どの地域においても存在しないと言って過言ではない。さらには地域資料があっても、教員の経験不足等の理由によりその活用が図りにくい課題がある。

以上の課題を解決するため、これからの学校教育に求められる児童生徒の主体的で探求的な学びを包摂的に支援できる分散型デジタルコモンズサービスd-commons.netを用いた「d-commonsメソッド」により、校内資料のデジタルアーカイブ構築に取り組んだ。校内資料のデジタル化は「やればできる」ことなのに、学校現場ではその課題の気づきや実践が行えない壁がある。その壁を取り除き、DX時代にふさわしい地域学習の環境づくりが全国の学校で進んでいくことを期待したい。