Official

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

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

Cause of decline in raw silk industry

・Slump raw silk prices, shortage of cocoons due to government policy of reducing production, spread of chemical fibers, import of cheap imported products

In the Meiji era, 98% of exports were the main industries of raw silk and silkworm species in Japan.

1872 1872 We developed a Western-style silk machine imported from Europe suitable for Japanese climate.

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

Nishiki-e Joshu Tomioka Silk Mill figure

1873: 1873: Katakura Ichisuke started making zakuri for ten employees in Kawagishi-mura, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture (present Okaya City), Nagano Prefecture.

1895 1895: Established a branch in Kyobashi.

1920 1920: Relocated head office to Kyobashi

1939 1939: The former Tomioka Silk Mill was merged.

1987 1987 - Tomioka Silk Mill suspended

2000 2000: Kataoka Silk Memorial Hall opened (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 Miller's Study of Tsutomunozu

・Research of silkworm species, improvement of reeling machine, training of female workers

The workers gathered from all over the country lived in dormitories. The craftsmen trained in Tomioka Silk Mill are dispatched to silk mill nationwide as Tomioka craftsmen, and are amazed at the high level of training that contributes to the development of the Japanese silk industry.

Of course, was the splendor of the factory employment system a factor that raised the level of training for workers?

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

All products that did not become raw silk are by-products (raw material for silk spinning, fish such as fish, and fishing bait)

Opened in 2000 as a multi-purpose commercial facility "Katakura Fila Char (Self 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 asked the memorial hall,

"I would like to continue to pass on the footprints left by the ancestors of Katakura Industries' 121-year-old silk mill business and local people to future generations together with the preservation and management of the cocoon warehouse at the Kumagaya Plant." Was. I visited the Katakura Silk Memorial Hall to learn about the greatness of the Tomioka Silk Mill and the Japanese silk industry, and also felt the connection with Chuo-ku.

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

☎FAX048-522-4316

Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (entrance: 16:30)

Closed every month, Tuesday, summer, year-end and New Year holidays (temporary closed)

Admission free

Katakura Industries Co., Ltd.

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

☎03-6832-1873 FAX03-6832-0256

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

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