富岡の生糸の歴史を解き明かす

1,000年以上もの間、絹は日本の文化、ファッション、そして産業において重要な役割を担ってきました。製糸技術の発展と改良に伴い、日本の生糸の優れた品質は世界中に知られるようになりました。
1872年、群馬県の富岡市に富岡製糸場が設立されました。日本初の近代的な官営の模範器械製糸工場として建設され、フランス人技術者の指導の下、近代的な繰糸器械が導入されました。また、全国から集められた工女は、製糸技術を習得し、ゆくゆくは出身地に戻って器械製糸の指導者となることを求められていました。
1987年の操業停止以降も工場は長年大切に保存され、現在も全盛期の頃と変わらない歴史ある建物と機械の姿を見学することができます。富岡製糸場は、20世紀の日本を生糸輸出大国へと変貌させた功績を認められ、2014年にユネスコ世界遺産に登録、さらに国宝にも指定されました。
生糸の品質と生産拡大のために使われた技術に加え、当時の工女たちの日々の仕事の様子を学ぶことができます。富岡製糸場を訪れて、日本の知られざる魅力的な歴史の物語に触れてみましょう。
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Unravel the Mysteries of Silk in Tomioka
Learn about silk production at a historical factory recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site

Silk has played a major role in Japanese culture, fashion, and industry for over a millennium. As the manufacturing process evolved and grew more refined, Japanese silk came to be renowned worldwide for its surpassing quality.
In 1872, the Tomioka Silk Mill opened, located within the city of Tomioka in Gunma Prefecture. As Japan’s first modern government-run model silk factory, it was built with the help of French engineers and employed modern machinery to reel the threads together. Japanese women were taught the art of silk-reeling with the hope that they’d eventually return to their hometowns and spread the knowledge of their craft.
Though the factory ceased operations in 1987, it has been remarkably well preserved over the years, allowing visitors to admire the historical buildings and machinery just as they were in their heyday. In 2014, this mill was recognized as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a designated National Treasure of Japan for its role in transforming Japan into a major raw silk exporter for most of the 20th century.
You’ll learn about techniques used to both improve the quality of raw silk and increase production, as well as get a sense for how the female workers went about their daily tasks. It's a unique window into a lesser-known chapter in Japan's fascinating history.