CHAPTER 1 
SHORT HISTORY OF THE SERICULTURAL INDUSTRY 
OF JAPAN 
The Origin of Sericulture in Japan 
HE SILKWORM is mentioned in the oldest Japanese mythology, but 
its authentic, historical record begins with the naturalization of a 
Chinese, Koma-O by name, who came over to Japan in 199 A.D., 
bringing Chinese silkworm eggs with him. Some ninety years later, many 
other Chinese experts again became inhabitants of our country and were 
ordered by the Emperor Ohjin to engage in silkworm rearing in various 
districts. The sericultural industry of Japan may be said to have dated from 
that time. 
Its Encouragement by Legislation and Otherwise 
Since then, this tiny insect has always been a favorite of the Imperial 
Court, sometimes the Empress herself setting an example by rearing silk- 
worms in person. Official encouragements soon made the industry popular 
among the people, and it made rapid progress. Freedom from public service 
during the season of farming and silk worm rearing was secured for the people 
by a law enacted in 604 A.D. It seems that warming by fire was practiced 
to regulate the temperature of the rearing room even in such remote days. 
In the middle of the Seventh Century, a new system of collecting taxes was 
inaugurated, whereby taxes were made payable in silk textures, which caused 
a subsequent increase in the production of silk fabrics. An imperial decree 
proclaimed in 701 A.D., ordered that every family should plant a certain 
number of mulberry trees, according to its social standing. 
The ‘‘Dark Ages’ for Silk 
At the end of the Twelfth Century, Japan entered into a turbulent 
stage of civil discord, which continued for more than four hundred years. 
Wars among feudal lords ravaged the entire country, and farmers were very 
often called from their peaceful occupations. Sericulture naturally suffered 
very much and, added to that, the use of cotton began to prevail in later days. 
Thrift Laws Under the Tokugawa Government 
With the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate Government at 
the close of the Sixteenth Century, peace was ushered in and all industries 
began to thrive again. Sericulture also resumed its long-suppressed develop- 
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