Wisdom Report 102

Silk Worms and the environment

Local silk worm farmer, Mr. Shimoda, is counting on new innovations for the sericulture industry.

99.12.23/ Temperature: -2 C/ Weather: Partly cloudy/ Wind Direction: E
Start: Akagi Village 36 31 12 N 139 03 19 E
Destination: Fujimi Village 36 27 57 N 139 06 18 E
Distance Traveled: 9.4 km

Has it ever occurred to you that people have made a living off of what is most suitable to the surrounding geographic conditions? Walking through the foothills of Akagi Mountain north of Gunma Prefecture's central plane area, I discovered how people sustained themselves in the past, how they are sustaining themselves now, and the resulting effects on the environment. I even got a few comments about thoughts on the future.

With the help of many generous soles I was quickly able to find out about what people in the hills bordering Nigata and Fukushima have done to provide for themselves in the past. Gunma Prefecture isn't subjected to the wet and cold winters found just over the mountains in Nigata. Once precipitation, in snow form, is dumped all over Nigata, all that remains are cold, high winds. Though the hilly region of Gunma has not been all that suitable to growing rice, characteristics of the land have given birth to silk worm farming, conyak potato farming, and to flour culture. All three industries suit the cold, windy, winter climate as well as the wet summer climate. As a result of shifts in economic demands the original industries of the land are changing.

I speak with a local about changes in local farming.

In particular, changes in the sericulture industry (silk worm farming) show a change in humans' relationship with nature. According to a local sericulture farmer, Mr. Shimoda, "In an age when rice was difficult to grow in the hills of Gunma mulberry trees filled the hillsides. The trees were good for the mountain. It was these mulberry trees which created the base for the sericulture industry."

"Until the past 20 years or so, many of the families of this area relied heavily on sericulture as a source of income," said Mr. Shimoda. "The demand for Japanese silk is being replaced because cheaper silk is imported from China and because many synthetic materials replace traditional silk. Growing vegetables has become a more reasonable way to support oneself."

"The mulberry trees in the past protected the mountains but since many families have quit sericulture, many have started farming vegetables. Being close to the Tokyo markets, this is a nice thing, however Gunma's high winds and heavy rainfall make the recently effected area a disaster. High winds carry soil off. Even more soil is run-off during summer rains. Sometimes it gets so bad that soil blocks-up roads."

The changes in the sericulture industry have only occurred over the past 20 or 30 years however, Mr. Shimoda is making efforts to keep the industry alive. "Gunma Prefecture is trying to get its silk established as a special brand with a long history. This is one way to keep the industry alive, but I have more expectations in new uses for silk worms and silk. Some researchers have found medicinal uses for silk worms and others continue to search for new uses."

Having passed through various geographic areas in Japan, I am always amazed at how well different regions have developed industries that suit their environments. Now it seems that such industries are being threatened by economic demands which don't calculate environmental costs.

Do you all think it is important to create new industries which suit your regions' environments? Do you know of any such examples?

Greg

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