Official

Recognizing the historical value of Tomioka Silk Mill, after the suspension of operations, the last Kumagaya Plant of Katakura Industries took over the history and spirit of the silk industry.

However, worldwide demand for raw silk has disappeared, and the Kumagaya Plant was closed in 1994.

The cause of the decline in the raw silk industry

・Slump in raw silk prices, shortage of cocoons due to government policies to reduce production, spread of chemical fibers, and import of inexpensive imports

In the Meiji era, 98% of exports were Japan's main industries, such as raw silk and silkworm species.

1872 In 1872, we developed a machine suitable for the Japanese climate of Western-style silk machines imported from Western Europe.

We invited French leader Paul Bruna to introduce a factory system of Tomioka Silk Mill's design concept, technology introduction, quality control, and employment (an average of 7 hours and 30 minutes a day, a Sunday weekly holiday).

Nishiki-e Joshu Tomioka Silk Mill Figure

1873 1873-Shisuke Katakura started spinning 10-person sitting silk in Kawagishi-mura, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture (currently Okaya-shi).

1895 1895 - Established a branch in Kyobashi

1920 1920 - Moved head office to Kyobashi

1939 1939 Merged the former Tomioka Silk Mill

1987 1987 - Tomioka Silk Mill suspension

2000 2000-Kataoka Silk Memorial Hall Open (next to Kumagaya Aeon)

2005 2005 - Donation of Tomioka Silk Mill Building to Tomioka City

2006 2006 - Sale of Tomioka Silk Mill land to Tomioka City

2009 2009 - Moved head office to Ginza

2011 2011-Relocated head office to Akashicho

Nishiki-e Tomioka Silk Mill's Study Map

・Research on silkworm species, improvement of reeling machines, training of workers

The women gathered from all over the country lived in the dormitory. The girls trained in Tomioka Silk Mill were sent to silk mill nationwide as Tomioka girls, and I am surprised at the high level of training that contributes to the development of the Japanese silk industry.

Of course, was the splendor of the factory's employment system a factor in raising the level of training for workers?

There is no place to throw away cocoons! Reuse lint and sanagi

Everything that did not become raw silk is by-products (raw materials for silk spinning, food such as Sanagi fish and fishing bait).

Opened in 2000 as a complex commercial facility "Katakura Philacha (Sweeping mill)" consisting of the Katakura Silk Memorial Hall and a commercial facility (next to Kumagaya Aeon). The footprints of the silk industry, which was once a key industry in Japan, are preserved and introduced in the wooden cocoon warehouse at the time of the establishment of the Kumagaya Plant.

When I talked to the memorial hall, I heard about it.

"I would like to continue to pass on the footprints left by Katakura Industries' predecessors and local people for 121 years, along with the preservation and management of the cocoon warehouse at the Kumagaya Plant," he said. I visited the Katakura Silk Memorial Hall to learn about the greatness of the Tomioka Silk Mill and Japanese silk industry, and I was able to feel the connection with Chuo-ku.

〒350-0815 2-135, Hongoku, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama

☎FAX048-522-4316

Opening hours from 10:00 to 17:00 (entry at 16:30)

Closed days Every month, Tuesday, summer, New Year's holidays (temporary closure available)

Admission is free

Katakura Industries Co., Ltd.

6-4 Akashicho Building, Chuo-ku, Nichirei Akashicho Building

☎03-6832-1873 FAX03-6832-0256

(I received permission from the Katakura Memorial Hall to take photos and write articles.)

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