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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website Made by NHK in 1973, “Birth of Silk” is a color documentary film highlighting the practice of silkworm farming in Gunma Prefecture in Japan. Likely from the late 1960s, the film walks the viewer through the various steps used in sericulture, the technique used for raising silkworms in order to obtain raw silk. The film highlights the history of silk cultivation in Japan and the importance of the mulberry leaves that allow the larvae to grow. The film ends with scenes of processing, dying, and weaving the silk. Close up bombyx mori (silk moth) laying larvae (0:16). Growth stages of silkworm (0:40). Barren mulberry trees unbound in preparation for spring, collect larvae from trees (1:29). Silk growers dressed in traditional kimonos walk with Tengu masks, pray at local shrine (2:54). Fulpari Sericulture Farm: women wash baskets used for storing worms in shared basin (3:26). “Breeder” distributes packets of hatched eggs to farmers (4:09). Fine film layer on packet lifted, reveals many young silk worms (4:21). Women feed worms mulberry leaves using chopsticks (4:36). Inscriptions of words meaning “mulberry” and “silk worm” on animal bones from Yin Period China (4:53). Map of trade routes charting discovery and expansion of silk farming across China to Japan (5:16). Silk artifacts found Yin Dynasty, Tateiwa Remains (5:23). Intricate silk brocade fabrics (7:02). Konoshima Nimasu Amateru Mitama Shrine, Kyoto (7:40). Tray removed from rack storage system, view through magnifying glass silk worms under mulberry leaves, Seion-iku method of cultivation (7:59). Storage shelves, trays removed from racks, perhaps pupae silkworm powder sifted onto leaves (9:05). Smoke billows over barren Mulberry orchard, orange glow of bonfire as farmers melt away frost (9:30). Koinobori wave in wind (10:44). Nakajima family washes emptied trays in stream, wait for silkworm delivery from (11:02). Male family member wears gas mask, sprays pesticide on trays in storage room (12:05). Family farm complex (12:24). Kei truck carrying racks of mature silk worms heads out to deliver worms (13:08). Sericulture method: women in aprons, head scarves quick to transfer trays to racks; carefully distribute fresh mulberry leaves (13:40). Family matriarch cooks over wood burning stove, farmers sit to meal (14:35). Men carry trays over shoulder, transport them to silk growing hut; aerial view of silk worms, mulberry leaves spread across long wood tables in hut (15:47-18:32). Agricultural worker gathers branches of mulberry trees from mulberry orchard, Kei truck flatbed filled with leaves (18:34). Women spread whole mulberry branches on table, mature worms eating leaves, twigs (19:56). Traditional hōgaku music plays, workers carry bales of mulberry leaves on their shoulders, tables piled high with bales of mulberry leaves and branches, more closeups feeding worms (21:29). Camera pans hut, white body of worms now visible to the eye (23:45). Close up mature silk worms, final stage before transformation to pupa (25:02). Women shake worms from barren branches, place worms into “holders” (25:26). Entire family works to place worms in wood lattice, rotating holder in traditional Japanese sitting area of home; other method using straw holder depicted also (27:15). Family distributes rice plant along muddy rice paddy field (29:21). Time lapse white filament leaving silkworm’s body (30:09). Silk fiber displayed under microscope (31:18). Farmers kill larvae, gather white cocoons into baskets and trays; family matriarch collects cocoons from straw holder (32:16). Mechanized machines soak cocoons, twist and reel string of white filament into designated thickness perhaps using Minorikawa multiple-spool silk-reeling machine (34:42). Harvesters process silk in mud, place silk into boiling vats of water and dye it using natural dyes; spools of rainbow colored silk dry in sun (36:02). Close-up hands setting up spools of multi-colored silk in Japanese silk weaving loom; examples of finished textiles (36:42). Women sip tea while wearing traditional silk kimono, Japanese bride ushered through mulberry orchard in silk kimono (37:43). Men beat Wadaiko/Taiko drums as part of traditional dance ceremony celebrating silk harvest performed at temple; dancers wear masks and imitate steps used in silk work cultivation process (38:10). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
