Empress Michiko Feeds Silkworms in Her Last Act of Sericulture

May 21, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Empress Michiko fed silkworms mulberry leaves at a sericulture facility in the Imperial Palace on Monday in her final act of Imperial sericulture before Emperor Akihito's abdication next April.

At the Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery, the Empress fed Koishimaru silkworms, a purely Japanese variety, while chatting with smiling staff.

Media organizations were also allowed to watch the Empress weave waramabushi, a traditional straw bed where silkworms spin cocoons. She has made one bed for each season, using straw as material in line with her wish to keep the old tradition alive.

The Imperial sericulture was initiated by Empress Shoken, wife of Emperor Mutsuhito, who was on the throne between 1867 and 1912 and is posthumously called Emperor Meiji. It has been handed down to later Empresses.

Empress Michiko succeeded to the tradition in 1990 from Empress Nagako, wife of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa. Empress Nagako's posthumous name is Empress Kojun.

After Emperor Akihito passes the throne to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako will take over the tradition.

The Imperial Household Agency is considering using threads spun from cocoons of Koishimaru silkworms that Empress Michiko has cultivated as strings for a replica of the world's only existing five-stringed "biwa" lute from ancient times, which is stored at the Shosoin treasure house in the western prefecture of Nara. Jiji Press