The Story of Silk in Gunma Prefecture
Kuni-Akaiwa is a mountain village near the famed Kusatsu Hot Springs in Gunma prefecture, which was once known as “Silk County”. It was a highly prosperous silk-producing area in the first half of the 20th century. The streets are still lined with old silk-raising homes, where the central role played by women in sericulture and fabric production underpinned the development of the village’s economy.
The townscape retains the look and feel of this affluent period. It offers the visitor the chance to view numerous earthen storehouses and silk-raising farmhouses with the deeply jutting roofs distinctive of the unique segai-zukuri bracketing system. Of particular note is the 200-year-old Old Yumoto Residence, a three-story mud-walled structure that is famous in the village. Takano Choei, a prominent scholar of Western medicine in the mid-19th century, is said to have hidden here as a fugitive from prison, where he was being held for criticizing the ruling regime. Local guides provide tours of the many understated attractions of this charming village.
“Akaiwa Silk-raising farmers house” is designated as an important preservation area for historical buildings in Gunma Prefecture for the first time. Now the remaining farmer houseth at tell us stories. There is farmland with stone walls around the house. Shrines, temples, barns and abundant nature remain, creating wonderful scenery with these houses. There is also a hot spring “Choeii’s hidden place” where you can relax after stroll around the area.
The townscape retains the look and feel of this affluent period. It offers the visitor the chance to view numerous earthen storehouses and silk-raising farmhouses with the deeply jutting roofs distinctive of the unique segai-zukuri bracketing system. Of particular note is the 200-year-old Old Yumoto Residence, a three-story mud-walled structure that is famous in the village. Takano Choei, a prominent scholar of Western medicine in the mid-19th century, is said to have hidden here as a fugitive from prison, where he was being held for criticizing the ruling regime. Local guides provide tours of the many understated attractions of this charming village.
“Akaiwa Silk-raising farmers house” is designated as an important preservation area for historical buildings in Gunma Prefecture for the first time. Now the remaining farmer houseth at tell us stories. There is farmland with stone walls around the house. Shrines, temples, barns and abundant nature remain, creating wonderful scenery with these houses. There is also a hot spring “Choeii’s hidden place” where you can relax after stroll around the area.
