A silkworm changes to a pupa in the cocoon, and about 10 days later it comes out of the cocoon as a moth, tearing the silk thread into pieces. In order to secure the long silk thread intact, it is necessary to keep the pupa inside cocoon. The most common method to store cocoons is to dry them with hot air. Other methods include steaming, sun drying, and cooling cocoons. People also used to salt cocoons to store them, but this method has long been abandoned.
Takeshi Katsuyama is the 5th generation obi maker in Nishijin, Kyoto. He once had a chance to see a piece of centuries old silk fabric, and was fascinated by its beautiful texture. He tried to replicate the fabric using any and all the silk yarn available in Nishijin, but this was in vain.
While he was pursuing his ultimate silk, he met Akira Shimura, who had been pursuing the same goal. Their collaboration started with opening a sericulture farm together in Nagano Prefecture. They selected a specific kind of mulberry tree, which had ceased to be grown for over 100 years. They also picked old species of silkworms.
Mr. Katsuyama and Mr. Shimura agreed to the method of storing cocoons, too. They chose salting cocoons, because this method gave the silk thread shinier, softer texture.
Mr. Katsuyama
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