Around us, there are many silk garments (kimono) and fashion accessories. However, it's rare to truly understand how silk is made.

Silk is made from threads spun by silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves.

Silkworms have been raised in Japan since the times of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and over a long history, they have bestowed silk upon us.

Although silk was once a very familiar fiber in Japan, domestic sericulture farms are now on the verge of disappearing. We hear that sericulture was once practiced in Itoshiro, and that cloth and floss silk were self-sufficiently made from waste cocoons, but now only mulberry trees remain.

We will be holding a series of workshops to deepen our knowledge of silk, one of the main fibers we wear, and to create things using cocoons we have raised ourselves.

⚫︎First Session: "Talk about Sericulture and How to Raise Silkworms"

Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: Meet at 13:30, disband at 16:00
Content: We will provide a detailed explanation of silkworm changes and more while watching a video. Additionally, Misako Nakamura, who raises wild silkworms, will show us the breeding conditions online and teach us about the differences between domesticated and wild silkworms.
- Each participant will take home and raise about 10 small silkworms.
- If you take silkworms home, please check that there are mulberry leaves available near your home. If leaves are not available, we will raise the silkworms for you here.
What to bring: A confectionery box or similar for taking silkworms home (a box with a lid, at least 15cm square. Paper or another breathable material is better than plastic.)
Participation fee: 10,000 yen (for single session)

Online Instructor:
Misako Nakamura

Practices sericulture at home. Also works as an artist, reeling silk by hand and making kimonos. Engages in a wide range of crafts, from tailoring clothes to knitting, spinning yarn, and indigo/vegetable dyeing.

⚫︎Second Session
"Tour of a large-scale silkworm rearing hut and lecture on Gujo Tsumugi"

June 5th (Friday) Meet at 13:00, disband at 17:00
Meeting point: Around Gifu Prefectural Gujo General Office (details will be provided directly to participants)
Places to visit: Silkworm hut, Tanizawa (kimono shop)
Participation fee: 3,500 yen (single session)

Instructor:
Yuri Kato

Took over sericulture in Gujo Hachiman in 2018. Ships cocoons to the Gifu Prefectural Sericulture Association and also utilizes them for crafts such as weaving and cocoon art. Connects people through sericulture.

⚫︎Third Session
"Reeling raw silk from silkworms (zaguri) and making floss silk"

Date and time: Sunday, June 28th, meet at 11:00, disband at 16:00
Content: You will make square floss silk from the silkworms you raised. The square floss silk can be used as padding for the back during the sleeveless workshop, or it can be used at home for warmth. In addition, you will reel silk using the zaguri method.
*The silk will be used for thread mandala, but those not participating in the optional workshop can take the silk home as is.
Instructor: Misako Nakamura
Participation fee: 10,000 yen (single session)

You can attend the above three workshops consecutively or individually. Consecutive participation offers a reduced fee.

◼️Participation fee for consecutive attendance (for 3 sessions)

22,000 yen
*Includes lunch for the 3rd session.

【Optional Workshops *Separate dates/fees】

1. Thread Mandala Workshop

Date: Saturday, July 25th
Time: Meet at 11:00, disband at 15:00
Venue: Itoshiro Yōhinten

You will create a thread mandala artwork using the silk thread reeled in June. You will hammer nails into a board and string thread. This artwork uses Steiner's prime number law. Reservations begin April 1st.

Details of Thread Mandala WS

2. Making a sleeveless vest with floss silk (3 days, 2 nights)

Date: Saturday, November 7th, meet at 13:30 - Monday, November 9th, disband at 13:20
Venue: Itoshiro Yōhinten

You will make a sleeveless vest filled with floss silk. You can make it with either a sewing machine or by hand. This popular program allows you to enjoy Itoshiro itself over 3 days and 2 nights. Reservations will be accepted starting August 1st.

Details of Sleeveless Vest WS

◼️Cancellation Policy

Cancellation from after application up to one week before the event: 5%
Cancellation from 6 days to 3 days before the event: 50%
Cancellations thereafter: Full amount

Raising Silkworms to Produce Silk (Basic)