{Inter} Cultural Japan

The Silk Museum in Yokohama is housed in a somewhat dated office building, established in 1959 on the site of British trading firm Jardine Matheson & Co. Silk was Japan’s main export item in the late 19th c. and many merchants in Yokohama thrived thanks to the silk trade (until the bust of the 1930s). The museum does have occasional special exhibitions, for which part of the permanent display has to make way, but which can be very interesting.

[Foreigner’s graves in Yokohama. Photo © Ad Blankestijn]

The first floor display is brought under the theme ‘Encounters with Silk’ and shows the role silk plays in daily life.

The ‘Learning Zone’ and ‘Production of Silk Zone’ on the same floor show the process of silk production, from the silkworm and its metamorphosis, the reeling of silk from the cocoons and making it into yarn, to the final weaving and dyeing.

The ‘History of Silk Worldwide’ is also shown in this floor, grouped according to the various techniques employed, while the 2nd floor exhibit is dedicated to the ‘History of Silk in Japan’.

Silk was introduced into Japan from China in about 200 CE by immigrants from the continent. An important silk weaving center in pre-modern times was the Nishijin district in Kyoto, later in the Edo-period rivaled by Kiryu and Ashikaga in the Kanto area. Here one finds displays of ancient dresses and gorgeous kimonos.

The museum shop is one big advertisement for silk, from ties and shirts to home decoration, but you will also find silk used for such unique purposes as food additives and cosmetics.

Tel: 045-641-0841

Hours: 9:00 - 16:30; Cl Mon, day after NH, NY

Access: 15 min. walk from Sakuragi-cho Station on JR, Tokyu Toyoko and City Subway lines

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